A careers in mining dinner held in Terrigal last night gave more than 100 high school students the opportunity to learn about a possible career in the mining industry.

Guest speakers at the event included mining professors from the University of New South Wales as well as representatives from Xstrata Coal and the NSWMC.

NSWMC deputy chief executive officer Sue-Ern Tan said the dinner was a great way for students to learn about the mining industry.

“From mining and mechanical engineering to environmental science and construction, the New South Wales minerals industry offers a range of attractive career paths to students from this region,” Tan said.

Tan said women in the NSW mining industry now represented 10% of the workforce.

“As a professional woman working in the mining sector I am personally keen to see that percentage continue to grow,” she said.

The dinner attracted a number of female speakers to discuss their own personal experiences and success within the sector.

The NSWMC also provided students with a careers pack containing mining career-related information.

Queensland is also trying to lure women into the mining industry, with the Queensland Resource Council promoting the resources sector as a viable career option for women.

The QRC said women could now be found in a range of areas in Queensland's resources sector, including truck drivers, trades people, engineers and environmental specialists.