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My Story, Your Future | Meet Matt
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Born and raised in Adelaide, Matt has built his career in South Australia
Today, he works as a Projects and Continuous Improvement Superintendent with Kantra Copper, where he combines engineering, project management and continuous improvement to deliver projects that improve the safety, efficiency and performance of mining operations.
In this interview, Matt shares how a mining engineering degree led him into the industry, why he enjoys the variety of his role and the advice he'd give to anyone considering a career in mining.
Key Facts
Current Role: Projects and Continuous Improvement Superintendent
Location: South Australia
Qualification: Mining Engineering
First Mining Role: Mining Engineer
Current Work Arrangement: Drive in, Drive out (Monday to Friday)
Favorite Part of the Industry: Experiencing remote Australia and the variety of opportunities.
Advice in One Sentence: Keep an open mind, take opportunities as they come and don't be afraid to give it a crack.
Tell us a little about yourself and your current role:
I'm from Adelaide, born and bred, and I've managed to have my entire career so far in South Australia, which is rare to do in mining. I'm currently working for Kantra Copper as a Projects and Continuous Improvement Superintendent.
I'm based about an hour out of Adelaide, which is pretty rare in mining because I can drive to work and be home every night. Before this role, I spent six or seven years working FIFO."
What skills are most important in your role?
People skills are probably number one.
When I first started as an engineer, it wasn't really part of my role. It was more about completing your scope of work. As I've moved into different roles, communicating with people in the field has become a really important part of what I do.
I've found that the better you are at communicating what you're trying to achieve, the better it's received and the better outcome you get.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
It's pretty diverse. Because my role covers projects, it changes depending on what's the priority at the time.
I might spend a couple of weeks working on a large field based project, then move into tendering, researching, getting quotes or doing design work using some of my grass roots engineering skills.
It's a really good mix of being out on site interacting with people, while also spending time in the office planning and designing.
As I've moved into different roles, communicating with people in the field has become a really important part of what I do.
How does your role contribute to the operation?
My role is split between projects and continuous improvement.
On the improvement side, it's all those one percenters that hold people up during the day. It might be something as simple as changing a seatbelt so it's easier to use with the underground belts, or expanding a wash pad so two vehicles can use it instead of one.
They're small improvements, but over time they all add up and make people's jobs easier.
On the projects side, it's larger improvements across site, like new facilities or infrastructure that improve the operation as a whole.
What do you enjoy most about working in mining?
Not as relevant in my current role because I drive to work, but I really enjoyed FIFO.
Not many people get to say they fly to work. Seeing the sunrise from the plane every week and getting to experience parts of Australia that most people never visit was something I really enjoyed.
Working out near Ceduna and the Nullarbor gave me opportunities to visit remote communities and experience places I probably wouldn't have otherwise.
Seeing the sunrise from the plane every week and getting to experience parts of Australia that most people never visit was something I really enjoyed.
When you were 15 or 16, what did you think your future career would look like?
I knew I wanted to do some form of engineering, but I wasn't sure which one.
When I was choosing my Year 12 subjects, I picked science and math's because they kept as many options open as possible.
I ended up choosing mining engineering because, at the time, it was probably the best paid engineering option.
What does your current work schedule look like?
I'm currently working Monday to Friday, although we have plenty of technical and operational roles that work week on, week off or two weeks on, two weeks off rosters.
It's definitely been a transition from FIFO. It's good because you get every weekend, but you've also got to go to work every week, so there are pros and cons to both.
It's definitely a little unnerving stepping into something you've never done before, but everyone is willing to help and support you. Looking back, taking those opportunities has definitely paid off.
How did your career progress after university?
I studied mining engineering at university and completed vacation work at Prominent Hill in South Australia.
One of the engineers I worked with later offered me a graduate position with Iluka Resources, so I was really fortunate.
I started as a mining engineer and spent three or four years in engineering before taking on secondments in processing, earthmoving and later health and safety.
I also spent some time working on the tools, which helped me better understand the people carrying out the work and improved the way I approached engineering.
More recently, I moved into my current Projects and Continuous Improvement role.
My pathway certainly hasn't been a straight line.
Most of the opportunities I've had came from conversations with senior leaders asking if I'd like to give something a go.
It's definitely a little unnerving stepping into something you've never done before, but everyone is willing to help and support you. Looking back, taking those opportunities has definitely paid off.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in mining?
I'd say keep an open mind.
Whether you're looking at university or an operational role, the opportunities are there. The industry needs people and there are plenty of employers who are well set up to support new starters.
It's a really rewarding industry. Every role has its pros and cons, whether it's FIFO, rostered work or drive in, drive out, but I'd say just get in and give it a crack. Everyone is there to help and the support is always there.
Thank you to Matt for sharing his career story as part of RESA's My Story, Your Future Campaign.
Every career journey is unique. Through sharing stories of South Australians working across the resources sector, we're helping students, job seekers, and those looking for a career change discover the many different pathways into mineral resources careers.
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