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Olinda Garcia Gomez

from Cartoonist to Senior Mining Engineer
I deliver long-term mining study projects
Industry
Mining and Resources
Company
Rio Tinto
Job Level
Senior

Ask me about

  • The impact school had on my future
  • How my schooling help my choose my career
  • If it was difficult to move to another country to study and work

About me

  • International Experience

I attended an all-girls school in Peru where arts, math and literature were my favorite subjects. After finishing school, I was still unsure about what I wanted and with the guidance of my father, I enrolled in science but was still open for change. However, a three-month apprentice working in a remote mine gave me a glimpse of what the future would hold in this field, including opportunities abroad.

I worked traveling across Peru. Later, I moved to Australia. I studied for a master’s degree in Adelaide which broadened my horizons in many ways. I subsequently moved to Parkes, where I learned more about the rural communities and the impact of mining projects in NSW. I recently moved to Brisbane to work on a large mining project located in Mongolia and be part of a multicultural team.

About my role

  • Humorous
  • Independent
  • Personable
  • Rational
  • Sensitive

Long-term mining engineers play a key role in any mining project, as this will have a significant impact on the local and global economy, and therefore on the future of the community and environment. Long-term mining engineers are responsible for conducting life-of-mine studies. These includes mine designs, schedules, ventilation, equipment fleet estimation, cost estimates and financial evaluations.

The purpose is to look for the best mining option to make any mining project safer and profitable. Because long-term studies are complex, they are multidisciplinary, meaning they are developed as a team and often with the support of expert consultants. Each team member brings to the table valuable engineering experience and skills to contribute to the project's success.

Education

  • High School Certificate
  • Bachelor's Degree in Science (Mining)
  • Master's Degree in Engineering (Mining)

Subjects

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • History
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics

Hobbies

  • Cooking
  • Hiking
  • Painting
  • Reading
  • Travel

Pets

  • 1 Cat

15 year old me!!

“It's okay if you haven't figured out what you want to pursue yet, but don't be afraid to make a first move, even if you feel unsure or trembling inside, keep walking, keep moving forward. Enjoy your time, but don't waste it as time doesn't come back, so make the most of it. ”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. First vacation work in a mine, in the Andes of Peru, 4200m above sea level.
  2. First job as mining engineer in a South African company located in Peru.
  3. Moved to Australia and studied master’s degree in Adelaide.
  4. First work in Australia in an international company in NSW.
  5. Moved to Brisbane to be part of one of the largest projects in the world, Oyu Tolgoi- Mongolia.

My typical day

My employer

Rio Tinto operates in 35 countries where its 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Rio’s portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. Continuously searching for new projects that can support the energy transition, Rio Tinto is currently exploring for 8 commodities in 17 countries. The organisation has more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding its work and, today, the business relies on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to help it run more safely, more efficiently and leave a lighter footprint.