Women in Resources Inc

07/06/2026

03/06/2026

✨Congratulations to the Overall Exceptional Woman in Resources for 2026 - Dr Ainul Azzah Abd Aziz, Specialist Technical, Infrastructure and Operations - Rio Tinto Gove✨

This prestigious honour is awarded to the standout nominee across all categories, a woman who has not only excelled in her own field but has embodied the core values of Women in Resources Inc through her leadership, impact, and commitment to advancing inclusion in the Northern Territory’s resources sector.

Ainul was born in Malaysia and moved to Melbourne for tertiary studies, Dr Ainul Aziz has nurtured a lifelong passion for chemistry - a spark first lit in high school. She is now a specialist in water chemistry and process innovation, driving major advancements in mine‑closure water treatment across the Northern Territory.

Guided by curiosity, courage, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Ainul has become a standout technical leader. Her pioneering UAV‑enabled deep‑profiling method revealed previously invisible chemical stratification, transforming how Gove & Ranger understands and treats complex water bodies. This breakthrough strengthened modelling, stabilised operations, and enabled significant improvements in daily treatment rates for Gove, a step‑change for water treatment.

As President of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (NT Branch), Ainul champions scientific capability and the advancement of women in technical fields. She is widely recognised for her collaborative leadership, technical excellence, and dedication to responsible mine closure.

02/06/2026

✨Congratulations to the Glencore McArthur River Mine Exceptional Woman in Resources 2026 Awardee - Alexandra Dandie, Manager Engineering and Infrastructure at Rio Tinto Gove✨
Alex Dandie is Manager Engineering and Infrastructure at Rio Tinto Gove, known for delivering strong operational outcomes through inclusive, people‑centred leadership. With a career spanning Australia and Canada, Alex has led large multidisciplinary teams across engineering, maintenance, operations, and infrastructure in technically complex environments. She is widely respected for building stable, high‑performing teams during periods of change, championing safety, and embedding sustainable systems that support long‑term performance. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Alex has transformed team cultures, supported graduate and emerging leaders, and driven practical frameworks to support women at work. She is also an active contributor to community engagement in Gove and a committed mentor and peer supporter on site.

01/06/2026

✨Congratulations to the Santos Ltd Exceptional Young Woman in Resources Awardee - Fiona Dawson, Production Supervisor Newmont Australia Tanami ✨

Fiona Dawson is a rising leader in Australia’s resources sector, recognised for her ability to bridge engineering, data and operational leadership to drive meaningful change. At just 26, she has progressed from graduate engineer to Production Supervisor at Newmont’s Tanami Operation, where she leads teams underground and champions data-driven decision making.
Passionate about innovation, Fiona is helping shape the future of mining through her work in mining systems, improving operational performance and supporting the integration of emerging technologies.
Beyond her role, Fiona is a dedicated advocate for diversity in STEM, regularly engaging with students and mentoring graduates to encourage more inclusive career pathways. She also serves on the Emergency Response Team and actively supports community fundraising initiatives.
Fiona is driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, inclusive leadership and creating a safer, more innovative and representative resources sector.

30/05/2026