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Emma McGivern

from Graduate Environmental Engineer to Principal Hydrogeologist
I help manage water for existing mines and mining projects.
Industry
Mining and Resources
Company
Rio Tinto
Job Level
Senior

Ask me about

  • How my career path changed and I learned more about specialist fields
  • How flexible work helped me progress my career when my kids were young
  • How changing roles has kept me with the same company for over 20 years

About me

When I was in high school I was interested in math and science and also the environment, so I studied environmental engineering. When I finished university, I applied for various graduate jobs and was successful with Rio Tinto. I was not targeting mining specifically, but I immediately enjoyed the job, especially when I moved to Western Australia and was based on a mine site. After working for a few years, I found the environment field to be quite general and decided to do further study in groundwater management to become a hydrogeologist. This is a very technical field which I love, and I have continued my career in this area ever since, working at many different sites and types of mines.

About my role

  • Analytical
  • Calm
  • Flexible
  • Practical
  • Reliable

Hydrogeologists study ground water and how water moves in the sub surface. In mining, hydrogeologists assist with pit dewatering, which is removing groundwater to allow mining. They also assist with mine water supply and the site water balance, which tracks the amount of water a mine needs, where it goes through the processing and if there will be any discharge. Hydrogeologists also work closely with the environmental team to get approval for new mines and understand the impacts to the environment from abstracting or discharging water. The role is largely office based but with plenty of opportunity to visit sites and projects.

Education

  • Bachelor of Engineering, Environmental Engineering
  • Master of Engineering in Groundwater Management

Subjects

  • Biology
  • English
  • History
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Specialist Mathematics (Maths C)

Hobbies

  • Camping
  • Reading
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Swimming
  • Travel

15 year old me!!

“Follow your interests but be open to your path changing the more you learn about what is out there.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Landed graduate Environmental Engineer role
  2. Moved to the Pilbara WA
  3. Additional study in groundwater management
  4. Leadership role managing up to 10 hydrogeologists
  5. Transferred from Iron Ore Group to Copper Group

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 it’s 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.