“The Oresome Minds camp at Dysart has opened my eyes to what the resources industry is all about and the sort of engineering role I could have in it, especially in my interest area of mechatronics.” Francesca – Somerville House

From living in a mining camp to stepping onto an active mine site, sixteen senior students from across Queensland have experienced a week-long immersion into the resources sector through the Oresome Minds Camp in Dysart.

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) camp, proudly supported by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), brought together Year 11 and 12 students from regional and south-east Queensland for an exciting week of STEM experiences.

Based at BMA’s Bowen Basin Saraji Mine Site, with a residential stay at the Civeo Dysart Camp the five-day camp gave students a close-up look at the people, technology and processes behind Queensland’s resources industry, combining hands-on project work with site-based experiences.

Students worked in teams to investigate real industry challenges across project themes including dragline operations, decarbonisation, environmental rehabilitation and drill and blast practices.

QMEA Director Jen Hoyle said the camp was designed to move students beyond classroom learning and place them in an environment where STEM skills are applied in a work site environment.

“This camp gives students a genuine insight into life and work in the resources sector by immersing them in operational industry environments, connecting them with professionals and challenging them to apply their STEM skills to real-world scenarios,” Ms Hoyle said.

“They are not just hearing about career opportunities from a distance; they are meeting the people doing the work, seeing operations in action and understanding how engineering, science, technology and trades all contribute to the industry.”

A major highlight of this year’s program was a tour of the Saraji Mine coal handling and preparation plant, a dragline and watching a rock blast thanks to the support of BMA.

The camp also enabled the students to connect with peers also interested in STEM by bringing together participants from metropolitan and regional schools.

“Because of this camp I have talked to people working in roles I aspire to and I understand the career opportunities there are for someone like me who is keen to use engineering skills in a trade role.” – Tobias, Sarina State High School

List of students attending the 2026 QMEA Oresome Minds camp