In recent years, controversy has courted the Australian FIFO workforce and its treatment of women, but what’s it really like being a woman working remotely at a mine site? In part one of this podcast, Marina shares her experiences, what support employers can provide and her advice to other women considering embarking on the FIFO lifestyle. 

In the second part of this mini-series, Marina shares how she juggles the demands of being a parent with her FIFO working roster, highlighting how family and employer support are paramount to making it work. 

Heidi Vella

Heidi Vella is a freelance journalist and writer and contributor to Australia’s Mining Monthly with over fifteen years’ experience writing about technology and the extractive industries. Her bylines can be found in The Times (UK national newspaper), The UK’s Institute of Engineering and Technology’s magazine, and Global Data’s energy and extractive titles, among others. She has written often about women’s experiences of working in the mining industry and the challenges and impact of working FIFO. 

Marina Paiva de Oliveira

Marina Paiva de Oliveira is the Logistics Coordinator for the AHS project at Epiroc. Originally from Brazil, Marina has been living in Australia since 2017 and has fallen in love with the country's beautiful nature, proudly calling it her home. With an academic background in Mechanical Engineering, Marina has built a diverse career in Project Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, and Project Design. This varied experience has refined her ability to quickly adapt to new environments and foster strong, positive relationships with her colleagues. Marina is a dedicated mom to a lovely 18-year-old daughter. Outside of work, she has a passion for traveling and sports, and spending as much time as she can with her family.