As a member of the senior management team at the mine, she has stewardship for the operations’ environmental compliance, community engagement and approval strategies.

Piggford graduated from the University of Queensland in 2008 with Honours in Environmental Engineering.

During her studies, she worked in the mining industry and developed an interest in pursuing further career opportunities in the sector.

Piggford joined  Glencore in 2009 as part of its graduate program and worked at underground and operation operations in the Hunter Valley of NSW, namely United Collieries, Bulga Coal and Mangoola Coal.

She secured the position of environment and community officer at Mangoola Coal in 2010 and was promoted to the role of environment and community coordinator role in 2012.

Piggford also fulfilled the secondment role of environmental compliance coordinator for Glencore Coal Assets Australia during 2014-15.

She sees the value of mentoring and the benefits this can bring to both mentorees and mentors in the mining sector.

Piggford has been a mentee participant in the WIMnet Mentoring program and also acted as a mentor for graduates and colleagues.   

She said she aimed to contribute to sustainability of the mining sector while advancing her professional development.