Local women employed with Newcrest Mining Limited are now playing a big part in responding to equipment emergencies at the Lihir gold mine.
In a media statement, the company says the timely and effective performance and contribution of local women towards responding to equipment emergencies and unplanned work in the Lihir operation is vital in keeping production going.
This is viewed as a result of the Fixed Plant Maintenance (FPM) department embracing gender equality and empowerment, by ensuring local tradeswomen are participating well and performing to their best in the male dominated field.
The FPM conducts, applies and supervises maintenance functions daily and ensures to attend to any unscheduled work events, emergency repairs and planned tasks.
FMP attends to vital equipment or devices such as valves. These are mechanical or electromechanical devices through which the flow of gas, liquid, slurry or loose dry material can be started, stopped, diverted and regulated.
(Caption: Lihir tradesman Michael Bonghe and apprentice tradeswoman, Philomena Decklam, repairing a knife gate valve)