The traditionally male-dominated image of mining took a battering at BHP Billiton’s Cannington mine in north west Queensland after a bright pink excavator turned up on site digging for funds for breast cancer research.
Owners of the bright pink excavator, Redpath Australia, will donate $10 for every hour the hard-to-miss machine is at work on the North West Queensland silver mine throughout 2013. Mine owner, BHP Billiton, has joined in contributing $10,000 to the initiative that supports the work of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).
Employees have also been encouraged to get involved – workers who donate $50 or more are given a pink hard hat and pink work shirt to wear on site.
Redpath Australia’s Marketing Manager, Rhiannon Vines, says the response has been phenomenal.
“Initially we weren’t sure how enthusiastic our workers would be about wearing bright pink to work, but they have been incredibly supportive, with many volunteering and getting involved,” says Ms Vines.
Carole Renouf, CEO of NBCF, is also grateful for the support from workers in such a male-dominated industry.
“The latest statistics show that one in eight women will be directly affected by breast cancer in Australia – that’s more than 15,000 women every year, while an average of seven women die from breast cancer every day,” says Ms Renouf. “This means that all the people who know each of these women – their loved ones, workmates and friends, will all be affected.
“We believe that research is the most effective way to reduce the impact of breast cancer and eventually, eradicate it altogether. We are delighted that the mining sector recognises the importance of funding further research into this devastating disease, and we welcome their support to help us achieve our goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.”
BHP Billiton Cannington’s Mining Superintendent, Shane Johnson, says he also saw the initiative as a great way to promote awareness of breast cancer, and the importance of research to help find a cure.
“It’s initiatives such as this that provide an opportunity to promote health and community-based legacy projects in the local region,” says Mr Johnson. “Hopefully the initiative will reach far and wide, and make a real difference where it’s needed most.”
The initiative is also supported by DuPont Performance Coatings and Brisbane Refinish Supplies, which supplied the paint and labour to turn the excavator pink, and Riverina Workwear is supplying the pink work wear and donating three dollars to the NBCF for every article of clothing sold and two dollars for every hardhat.
To donate to breast cancer research, please visit the NBCF website at https://my.nbcf.org.au/Redpath13
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