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Did you know iron, carbon and zinc are used to make the steel in whitegoods and structures like the Townsville stadium? This fact and more were part of a science workshop at Pimlico State High today.

The Year 9 students explored the role of minerals and metals as part of the ‘Treasures of the Earth’ workshop delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Principal Stephen Baskerville said the workshop succeeded in creating a whole new level of interest in the Periodic Table for the students.

“Today’s workshop has opened their minds to the extent natural resources – including metals and minerals mined in this area – are used to help make materials we use in every day,” said Mr Baskerville.

Bravus Mining and Resources Chief Operating Officer Mick Crowe said the QMEA program was one of the pillars of Bravus’ commitment to employment and skills development in regional Queensland.

As part of this QMEA workshop, Bravus Mining and Resources’ Lead – Asset Strategy Eric Girgenti and Manager Operations Enabling Services Chris Grew gave some real-world context to the science challenge by sharing their knowledge of the mining sector.

“The mining industry is both the backbone of the Australian economy and of modern society, providing the raw commodities that go into the products we all rely on every day,” Mr Crowe said.

“We’re really proud that most of the 1,200 men and women who work at our Carmichael mine near Clermont in central Queensland live in a regional city or town like Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, or Cairns, and we’re really proud of the economic value these jobs bring to our communities and the local coffee shops and restaurants, car dealerships and other services businesses where Carmichael workers spend their wage.

“We’ll be exporting high-quality coal to the world for decades to come, and we’re excited to partner with the QMEA to show the next generation exactly what responsible mining looks like, and the pathways that could lead them to a rewarding career at Carmichael.”

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones said the workshop had been developed by the QMEA team to build students’ understanding of the role resources play in our current and future world.

“The treasure hunt was based on the ’30 Things’ publication by the Minerals Council of Australia which identifies all the mined materials used to produce everyday items and help development of new technologies,” said Ms Jones.

“Students are often surprised to discover the role mined materials are playing in creating new technologies, like copper for electric vehicle batteries, which are helping us to reach a more sustainable future.”