Rio Tinto general manager scoops Northern Territory resources awards

A female mining engineer with a passion for inclusion and diversity (I&D) has been honoured with two top Northern Territory resources sector prizes for championing women into non-traditional roles at Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite operations in Northeast Arnhem Land.

Rio Tinto Gove Operations general manager Linda Murry was named winner of the Overall Excellence and Gender Diversity Champion categories at the Women in Resources Northern Territory Awards in Darwin on Friday evening.

Linda has advocated for the increased participation of women in the Australian bauxite industry for more than 12 years. She was previously employed as a production manager at Rio Tinto’s Weipa Operations in Far North Queensland and is the first female general manager at Gove Operations.

"I am humbled to have won these awards as pioneering the progression of women in the resources industry has been a cause close to my heart for a long time.

"My proudest achievement is launching the I&D Networks at both Weipa and Gove Operations providing a great source of support and encouragement for employees striving to build a career in the mining industry," Linda said.

Two other Rio Tinto employees were also in the running with Rio Tinto Gove Operations vessel skipper Kim Wilkinson a finalist in the Outstanding Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician category and Rio Tinto Northern Australia external affairs manager Alicia Sherwood a finalist in the Exceptional Woman in Resources Category.

Kim was recognised for her active involvement in developing community partnerships as an I&D Network Committee Member and mentorship of women pursuing a career in the resources sector.

Alicia was acknowledged for her commitment to the successful implementation of the Gove Traditional Owner Agreement, mentorship of new Rio Tinto employees and her deep knowledge of the social, environmental and economic needs of the Gove community.

Rio Tinto Pacific Operations managing director Bruce Cox said "Congratulations to Linda, Kim and Alicia. Each of their stories demonstrates the great opportunities there are for women in traditional and non-traditional roles in the Northern Territory and our wider business.

"I am extremely proud of what these inspirational women are doing to improve inclusion and diversity across Gove operations and it’s very pleasing to see them recognised for their leadership."