About Me

Hi, I’m Krissy! I’m originally from Australia but now live in Denver, Colorado. I’ve worked for Newmont for nearly 20 years and have lived and worked in Australia, Ghana, and the United States. During my career, I’ve worked in exploration, mining, and resource modelling geology. Today, I work with geologists around the world to help our underground mines operate safely and effectively. Outside of work, I love volcanoes, dinosaurs, and hiking!

Briefly share what you do as part of your job

I’m a mining geologist, and I study rocks to help find gold underground. I work with teams around the world to solve problems and make mining safer and more efficient. Using rock data, maps, and 3D computer models, I help people understand what’s beneath the ground before it is mined. Every day is a little different, which makes my job exciting.

What Inspired You to Explore STEM?

When I was young, I loved learning about the natural world, especially volcanoes and other natural disasters. My dad was a scientist, and spending time outdoors with him made me curious about how the world works. I also enjoyed solving problems and telling stories, and science helps me do both by discovering clues and explaining them

What Do You Enjoy Most About Your STEM Career?

What I enjoy most is that every day is different. I get to solve problems, learn from people from many cultures, and find new ways of doing things. Geology is a bit like being a detective and an artist at the same time, using clues to understand how the Earth formed and to picture what it looks like deep underground.

What is a STEM fact about your field?

Some open pit mines are so deep that you could fit the Statue of Liberty inside them, and underground tunnels in some mines are longer than the distance across a whole city.

Additional Resources

https://www.agu.org/share-and-advocate/~/link.aspx?_id=9747926588e24bccb71e5fa04d8865e5&_z=z

https://compoflex.com/en/natural-resources/

https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/high-school-lesson-plans/

https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/middle-school-lesson-plans/

https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/elementary-lesson-plans/