General News
18 September, 2025
Cannington worker honoured with national award
The South32 emerging leader was presented with a national gong earlier this month.
Kylee Frankee, an electrical and instrument technician at South32's Cannington Mine in the McKinlay Shire, has been named the Outstanding Australian Tradeswoman, Operator or Technician at the 2025 Women in Resources National Awards (WIRNA).
Frankee was recognised for her persistence and resilience in establishing a career in the mining industry and for her leadership and technical excellence, which have led to significant cultural and operational improvements.
Since beginning her career with South32 as an electrical apprentice in 2018, Frankee has been a strong advocate for gender balance in the resources sector. Her focus is on increasing the number of women in operational roles.
Frankee holds several leadership positions at Cannington, including frontline leadership, peer support officer, crew safety representative, and emergency response team member. In these roles, she has promoted workplace health and safety, psychological safety, and inclusion, while also mentoring apprentices and supporting other tradeswomen.
Frankee's commitment to mentorship extends beyond South32. She has mentored Indigenous students through the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) scholarship program and volunteered with the Queensland Resources Council's (QRC) education branch, the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) school program, and other industry outreach programs.
Her goal is to encourage young women and other young people to pursue careers in trades and the resources sector.
"I am incredibly honoured to receive this national award and to be recognised alongside so many inspiring women in the minerals and energy industries," Frankee said.
"My journey in the industry has been shaped by the incredible mentors and colleagues who have supported me, and I am passionate about paying that forward by supporting my peers, mentoring apprentices and encouraging more women to consider careers in trades.
"It's not just about what I've achieved, but about opening doors and showing other women and young people that they can pursue a career in trades and resources with confidence
"I'm proud to mentor, support, and encourage others, because when we lift each other up, we all succeed."
Giorgio Dall'Armi, the vice president of operations at South32 Cannington, praised Frankee's achievements, stating that her "dedication to safety, mentorship, and inclusion and diversity exemplifies the values we uphold at Cannington". He said that Frankee "is a role model for the next generation entering the industry" and a "true asset to our team".
In April this year, Frankee was also honoured at a state level, receiving the Exceptional Tradeswoman/Operator/Technician in Queensland Resources award at the 2025 Queensland Resources Council/ Women in Mining and Resources Queensland Awards for Women.