When Tai Ria Hutton first stepped into a core yard, it was meant to be temporary.
She was a teacher on school holidays when a neighbour in Kambalda asked if she could help log some core.
“I figured, why not?” she recalls. “It was the holidays, and I was curious.”
That curiosity changed everything.
“From the moment I started analysing and logging core, I was hooked. I became like a five-year-old sponge. Everything was fascinating.”
Today, almost two years into her time at AngloGold Ashanti Australia, Tai Ria leads a team of 19 as Superintendent Geological Services. Together, they deliver field exploration services, support underground grade control drilling and manage sampling to ensure exploration strategy stays on track.
Mining remains a male-dominated field, particularly in operational and technical leadership roles. Yet Tai Ria did not set out to prove a point. She set out to build something better.
Leadership that stands alongside
“To me, great leadership starts with genuine support,” she says. “It’s not just about directing people or solving problems. It’s about truly listening and creating space for honest conversations.”
Her background in Education and Psychology is evident in how she leads. She leans into the hard discussions rather than skirting around them. She gets to know her team as people first.
“I get to know every person in my team, not just how they work, but who they are outside of work. People respond differently when they feel seen.”
For Tai Ria, leadership is not about hierarchy.
“It’s about standing alongside your team, not above them. No matter how high you climb, you’re still part of the team.”
That philosophy shows up in small but powerful ways. Daily chats on a fly-in, fly-out roster. Checking in beyond task lists. Following through on commitments.
“I try to lead by example, do what I say I’ll do, and show up consistently. And above all, I try to stay genuine and true to myself. People connect better when you’re real with them.”
A culture alive in sound and flavour
Walk into her team’s space and you might hear music. You might hear laughter. You might smell something cooking on the barbeque.
“The culture we’ve built is about connection and joy,” she explains. “A sense of psychological safety where you can share ideas, worries, a laugh or even an occasional song.”
Sharing food has become a cornerstone of connection. Team barbeques. Cultural dishes. Small celebrations that reflect the diversity of the group.
“It brings joy and reminds us that everyone comes from different experiences and perspectives, which is something we embrace.”
One tradition she is especially proud of is their monthly recognition awards. Every team member can nominate a colleague who has demonstrated company values. At a monthly barbeque, the team reviews results, hands out awards, shares food and pauses to acknowledge one another.
“It’s a moment where we intentionally stop, acknowledge each other, and celebrate the month that’s been.”
Award recipients receive a voucher and have their photo added to a wall of recognition. It is visible, tangible appreciation.
Find out more about how AngloGold Ashanti supports a culture of belonging for all.
In the crib room, there is another wall. The “Wall of Life”. Photos of the team, and only the team. No posters. No procedures.
“It’s a visual reminder of who we are as people, not just employees.”
We are all bosses here
In a sector that often runs on tradition and established ways of working, Tai Ria is deliberate about creating space for growth.
“Learning is central to our culture. We encourage questions and new ideas, and we challenge the mindset of ‘this is how we’ve always done it.’”
She has developed a training matrix so every team member can see their pathway, whether that future sits within her team or beyond it. Formal training matters, but so does informal exposure. Shadowing a new work area. Observing a different process. Trying something unfamiliar.
“Seeing one of my team take up a new opportunity within the business is such a success for me.”
Her unofficial motto says it all: “We are all bosses here.”
It is not about titles. It is about ownership, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
A career shaped by courage
Tai Ria never planned a career in mining. In truth, she did not plan to become a leader either.
“I didn’t chase leadership, or mining. Both found me.”
After her first core yard experience, she was offered three days a week at a pay rate higher than teaching. She took the leap. She moved into geophysics. She worked at smaller companies where she wore multiple hats. She stepped into technical roles and later into exploration.
Not every transition felt comfortable.
“One mentor pushed me to expand my experience, and at the time I didn’t take it well. It felt like being pushed out. But with hindsight, I can see it was exactly what I needed.”
She was focused on learning.
As her technical capability grew, so did her desire to guide others. Mentoring colleagues through geological modelling programs. Supporting teammates to stretch into new responsibilities. Watching confidence build.
“Leadership became an extension of my curiosity and love of learning.”
Coming full circle to the first mine she ever worked at gave her perspective. Mining had changed. She had changed too. Now, at AngloGold Ashanti Australia, she brings every lesson with her.
Belonging. Recognition. Growth.
Not as buzzwords, but as daily practice.
At AngloGold Ashanti Australia, the story is not just about exploring and processing gold. It is about building teams where people are known, valued and recognised.
If you are looking for a workplace where you can bring your whole self to work and grow in ways you might not expect, explore AngloGold Ashanti Australia’s WORK180 employer profile and see what could be possible for you.
