Roy Hill is pleased to announce the launch of the first three of its “Pink Trucks for Breast Cancer Awareness” at its mine site in West Australia’s Pilbara region as part of an initiative by its Chairman, Mrs Gina Rinehart, to focus attention on breast cancer, as well as the opportunities for women in mining.
In an industry first, the huge 225 tonne capacity trays on the remaining 34 of Roy Hill’s growing truck fleet will all be painted pink. Over a period of time as the existing fleet of haul trucks on site require major maintenance, they will also be painted pink.
In a ceremony presided over today by Mrs Gina Rinehart, executive Chairman of Roy Hill and the Hancock Prospecting Group, who also launched Australia’s first breast cancer foundation back in 1992, and is a long standing supporter of cancer research and support initiatives, the inaugural pink Truck, named “Hope”, driven by Tarnya Bain, delivered its first load of iron ore to the Company’s crusher plant. The second and third of the Pink Trucks were christened “Ginny” and “Rachel”.
Mrs Rinehart, recently awarded The Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Women in Resources Lifetime Achievement
Award” and named Momentum for Australia Ltd’s “Most Inspiring Woman of the Year”, said, “Breast Cancer is the
most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. It is a disease that
has greatly hurt the lives of many Australians directly or indirectly, especially women and their families and friends.”
“One in eight women will unfortunately develop breast cancer in their lifetime, with an average of eight women dying from this disease every day in Australia. ”
“The more we can do to raise support for helping fight this very, very serious and frightening battle, the closer we are to finding ways to improve treatment options and cures for one of the biggest killers of women in Australia.”
The Trucks, pink PPE and socks worn by participants in the ceremony also reflected that Roy Hill is one of the highest in percentage employers of women in the iron ore and West Australian mining industry.
Mrs Rinehart added that when speaking with female staff at Roy Hill, she found the morale is always really high, and the female staff have commented that they find their time working at Roy Hill very interesting and rewarding, and they enjoy being a part of Roy Hill’s milestones.
“From an early age I have been involved in a predominantly male centric industry, and now I’m seeing many more women employed in the industry and telling me they find this a great career choice. This is an industry that brings many opportunities for related industries in Australia, and together the mining and related industries underpin Australia’s living standards, generating significant revenue, paying taxes, and providing jobs.”
“I hope those working in the industry always feel proud of their contribution to Australia. Without such contribution, there would be less funds to look after our growing proportion of elderly people, our hospitals, our police and our very defence. I hope in addition to being proud of their industry, you explain its importance to Australia and our living standards. I also hope female students can see a career pathway in the mining industry, but for this to continue to occur, Australia must maintain its cost competitiveness internationally, and implement ways to reduce government red tape and expense.
Roy Hill Chief Executive Officer, Barry Fitzgerald, reiterated the Company’s commitment to the Pink Trucks initiative.
“Our Leadership team is proud to be one of West Australia’s industry leaders in the representation of women in our work-place”, he said.
