PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner BHP’s Leister nickel operations, in Western Australia, marked a momentous occasion this week, with the underground mine playing host to a wedding.
Dressed in their bright orange high visibility shirts, and with a specially made jacket and veil adorned helmet, Aleese [last name withheld] and Ryan [last name withheld], who met while working underground at the Leinster mine, inducted a celebrant and photographer before travelling 1.1 km beneath the surface to exchange their wedding vows.
“Originally, we wanted to elope, somewhere like Broome or near the beach but Ryan suggested we get married where we first met. I asked my boss Chibs and four weeks later he got back to us and here we are - it was very cool,” Aleese said.
Chibs walked her down the aisle.
“He was just as nervous as me. He slowed me down, helped me catch my breath. I couldn’t have imagined walking down the aisle without him,” she said.
“It was so important to us that we get married here. Leinster is home for us. I’ve worked here on and off since 2016 – I came out here as a road train driver and then came underground and over the years the family in town and the family on site have been fantastic.
“There were heaps of moving parts to it. But ultimately everyone came together and were so excited to do this for us.”
The bride even followed wedding tradition, wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
“We don’t usually wear brand new uniforms – we stick out a little bit at the moment because our uniforms are quite clean and new.
“My something old was a handkerchief I had in my pocket that I got from my grandad’s drawer when he passed away 12 years ago. It sounds silly but it’s my good luck charm when I travel or do anything. It always comes with me.”