Adam has worked as an Exploration Medic Emergency Services Officer at MinRes for only a few months but is already making a huge impact. He has quickly gained a reputation for making a real difference to our business - while showing care, kindness and authenticity.
As part of our exploration works, Adam regularly moves between sites as activities progress. Currently based out of the Marillana Iron Ore site in the Central Pilbara, his main responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of everyone on site.
With the teams he looks after travelling large distances, when something goes wrong, help is often far away. Confronting this head-on, Adam makes sure the crews have what they need to respond.
Recently during emergency response practice, one of the drilling supervisors expressed interest in installing defibrillators on all their rigs. Adam was the first to put his hand up to help make it happen, walking them through the process.
Instead of waiting for an emergency to arise, Adam is proactive in looking out for his crew.
Throughout summer, he spent hours every day driving out to visit the exploration crews. Using icy poles as both a hydration tool and conversation starter, he makes a point to have a chat with every member of the crew, checking in on their general welfare and making sure they’re staying hydrated.
If someone has an issue, he takes them into the medic's bay and has a talk to them to sort it out, calling for special advice if needed. At the forefront is the question "what can I do to help them?"
Adam was nominated as a MinRes Marvel by Drilling Supervisor Matthew for always going above and beyond to protect the welfare of his crew. Having worked in the industry for the past 21 years, on close to 40 mine sites, Matthew reckons that Adam is by the far the best ESO he has ever met.
“Adam wants to know where you are, he is always onto it, he is always onto the next step," Matthew said. “I've never met someone as good as he is.”
“Every day he checks in on everyone; he makes sure you are all good. If you are not okay, he wants to know why and how he can help. If there's anyone new to site, he takes them under his wing."
We recently sat down with Adam to find out more about the man behind the MinRes Marvel.
Please describe your career journey including companies and places you’ve worked and any career highlights?
I started my life in mining at the age of 20, initially doing exploration and pit work. Over the years I've worked for several companies - including Great Central Mines, Reynolds, BHP and South32.
I worked with BHP and South32 for 24 years. Eight of these were spent as a trade assistant, before becoming an emergency services officer. Although I was always committed to emergency response on site, becoming an ESO was not something I had planned. I fell into the role when I was asked to cover for an ESO while they were on holiday. That person never returned, and I was offered the role permanently. The team apparently enjoyed having me around.
Throughout my career I’ve got to visit some spectacular places; Australia is a beautiful place. A highlight would have to be spending a few years working on Groote Eylandt Island in the NT and being out with the communities while on R&R.
Tell me about your current role?
My current role is as an Exploration Medic ESO (Emergency Service Officer) – or just medic for short. My main responsibility within the department is to ensure the health and safety of employees on exploration sites. I am currently based at Marillana in the central Pilbara, which is currently still in the development phase.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The thing I enjoy most about my role is the people that I get to work with every day. I also like the variety that comes with working in exploration, particularly getting to move from site to site.
Why did you join Mineral Resources? What was it that attracted you?
Before fully joining Mineral Resources I worked as a contactor. It was the group of great people that I was working with at the time that really made me want to make the transition onto the team. The thing that really stood out was the fact that they were always looking out for each other.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
When I’m on my R&R I like to keep myself active. If you don’t find me doing work in the garden, you’ll usually find me on the golf course.
