9 March 2026

From Trainee to Queensland Resources Finalist – Zoe Burton’s Journey in Mining

Blackwater-based dragline operator and step-up supervisor Zoe Burton was recognised at the Queensland Resources Awards, held last Friday in Brisbane. Zoe was a finalist in the Exceptional Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician category for her strong technical capability and leadership on site, and received the Highly Commended honour.

Growing up in Blackwater, mining wasn’t just an industry for Zoe, it was family. Both her parents worked in resources and watching them head to site every day made a career in mining feel like a natural path. But when it came time to choose, Zoe wasn’t immediately convinced.

“I was kind of hell-bent on doing something else,” she admits. “I went to university for a while on the Sunshine Coast, but I really missed my family. I thought, maybe I’ll give mining a go.”

At 19, Zoe applied for a traineeship and was accepted into a two-year surface extraction program at Blackwater Mine.

Starting on trucks and water carts, Zoe quickly progressed through the equipment ranks, adding graders, dozers and loaders to her skillset.

“When I first started, it was super daunting,” she says. “You see the equipment and you think, wow, they’re massive. But then when I started, I really, really loved it. The more machinery I got onto, the more I enjoyed it.”

Her next goal was one that felt unlikely, a dragline traineeship. Positions are rare, and operators tend to stay in them for decades.

“I thought, geez, I feel like I’m way too young for that. I don’t know anything,” Zoe recalls. “But I put in for it and did the dozer assessment and got the traineeship.”

Now in her fifth year on the dragline, Zoe is one of only four female operators across her department: a team of 80 people across four crews. She’s the only female operator on her own crew of 20.

Stepping into a male-dominated role wasn’t something she took lightly. Zoe admits the self-doubt was real, but the reality at Blackwater has been something she’s genuinely grateful for.

“I had a perceived notion of how they would be, because they’re all older and have been doing it for a really long time,” she says. “But I landed with a really awesome, encouraging crew, who I’m incredibly grateful for.

“They have created and supported so many opportunities for me to learn and develop and have always been willing to share their experience and knowledge. From the beginning they accepted me as part of the crew and that support has meant a lot to me.”

Nine years at Blackwater mine and not only is she an operator, Zoe’s a step-up supervisor, covering for absent supervisors for extended periods, and she manages training for her crew and much of the broader department.

Many of Zoe’s team have decades of experience on draglines, so new digital systems can sometimes take a bit of adjustment.

“I work with guys who are incredibly experienced, and sometimes new training tools or technology can take a bit of getting used to, just like they do for all of us. When you’re operating a dragline, it’s just the two of you on the machine all day, so it can feel isolating. I try to make things easier by helping the team stay comfortable with the systems we use.”

Zoe is far from the only one in her family to have found a home in resources. Her mother, who started as an operator in her forties after years in other industries, has been in mining for nearly a decade currently working at Jellinbah Coal Mine. Her younger brother recently completed his heavy diesel fitter apprenticeship and works nearby at Curragh.

“My mum thought she might be too old when she started,” Zoe says. “Obviously not. And yeah, she loves it.

“Seeing her make that change later in life has been incredibly inspiring for me. I have learnt and continue to learn a lot from her journey. It has proven to me that it’s never too late to take on something new and that you really can do anything if you are willing to back yourself.”

That inspiration motivated Zoe to continue learning and developing. Two years ago, she enrolled part-time in a Bachelor of Laws through Central Queensland University, studying online around her roster.

“Everyone asks me if I’m going to be a lawyer,” she says. “I don’t think so. I wanted it to open more doors and opportunities. I really love operating, but I like the challenge of learning more.”

It’s a work ethic her team and leaders have come to value. So, when her name was put forward for a Queensland Resources Award, she didn’t see it coming.

“You just feel like you’re an operator, and that’s what you do,” she says. “When my manager Pat told me they were nominating me, I was like, ‘Me? Are you for real?’ It was really surprising. It’s a nice feeling to know you’ve been recognised.”

Her advice to women considering mining?

“Just do it. Lack of confidence and self-doubt really hold us back from a lot of things. I say’ just to do it’ because it can be extremely fulfilling. And never say no to an opportunity. I think that is really important.”

Back to News