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Barbara Patterson

from Music store to Electrification Planning and Implementation Manager
I turn big mining equipment electric for a cleaner planet
Industry
Mining and Resources
Company
Rio Tinto
Job Level
Mid

Ask me about

  • How I made so many big changes in my career
  • How much energy do big trucks really need
  • Where I get to travel for my work
  • The best degrees to study to work in mining

About me

I was born in Poland and moved to a small country town in Qld when I was 4 before trialing island life in PNG at the age of 12. I loved these cultural experiences and it gave me a broad perspective when I moved to Perth half way through year 9. When I left school I thought I wanted to be an engineer but my parents, who are both engineers, said I have too many people skills and I should choose something else. So, I chose an allied health path completing occupational therapy. I enjoyed the work I was doing but I kept getting drawn to working with mining companies and was fascinated by all the cool things people were building on site. I eventually started with Rio Tinto and have had 3 major career changes following my interests within the same company. From heath and safety to operations and leading teams whilst getting my boots dirty in the middle of the pit, to leading teams that sit in Perth remotely operating equipment on site, to now helping transform the mining industry and the world to a cleaner, electric future

About my role

  • Curious
  • Flexible
  • Optimistic
  • Passionate
  • Understanding

An electrification manager is responsible for identifying which of Rio Tinto's global operations should have battery electric equipment and determines how to transition those operations from diesel equipment to battery electric. They are responsible for delivering research and development projects that help improve battery electric mining equipment in the mining environment.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Harvard Business School, Global Business Sustainability certificate

Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • Drama
  • English
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Specialist Mathematics (Maths C)

Awards

  • Year 12 - Engineering Award

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Boating
  • Gymnastics
  • Running
  • Seeing family and friends

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. The last of my (OT) graduating class to secure a job
  2. Started in consulting and discovered different industries
  3. Gained certification in Injury Management for mining and fly to site each week
  4. First big leadership role in the pit with teams of tradies
  5. Landed jobs where I had to think about the future of work and mining

My typical day

My employer

Rio Tinto operates in 35 countries where its 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Rio’s portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. Continuously searching for new projects that can support the energy transition, Rio Tinto is currently exploring for 8 commodities in 17 countries. The organisation has more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding its work and, today, the business relies on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to help it run more safely, more efficiently and leave a lighter footprint.