Sammi Rae

Growing up between New Zealand and regional Western Australia, Sammi learned resilience early. Moving countries as a teenager and leaving her family to board at Harvey Agricultural College, she deepened her love for animals, trades and teamwork. She started her first job at 13, a work ethic that continues to shape her approach today. 

After leaving university due to funding challenges, Sammi began her resources career in 2018 as a labour-hire operator before securing a permanent role as a Vacuum Drill Technician, later gaining experience operating the drill and working on the blasting team. Her drive and skill saw her progress to Supervisor and now Superintendent of Drill, Blast and Exploration at South32. As a leader on site, she has improved operational efficiency, reduced safety incidents and delivered record drilling performance through smarter planning and team development. 

Beyond operations, Sammi is passionate about mentorship and community. She coaches emerging leaders, supports inclusive hiring and development programs, and has been a guest speaker at Narrogin Agricultural College for year 11 girls about careers in mining. She has previously been part of the community resource centre, often working as a volunteer across multiple community events. Her journey is marked by determination, adaptability and a passion for mentoring others – especially those who take non-traditional career paths.