35a - Supporting women in mining: diversity and inclusion

Abstract

Traditionally, the mining sector has not been viewed as a leader in effectively managing diversity and inclusion. While numbers have improved, women continue to be underrepresented at every level within mining companies. Currently, the mining sector is committed to increasing diversity and improving inclusion. Globally, mining has set gender-based targets for the sector. They are actively investing in the success of women in mining and jurisdictions and organizations are tracking and reporting on diversity and inclusion performance. Mining organizations are engaged in improving inclusion-related efforts that promote the sense of belonging for workers. Why is diversity and inclusion important to mining? Diversity and inclusion promote creativity and strategic resilience. This is important as mining companies manage the complex challenges associated with community, environmental, social (including health and safety), and technical aspects of their industry. With increasing numbers of women in surface and underground mining and processing operations, a strategy is needed to better support these workers including their health, safety, and well-being, including reproductive health. This presentation will review the history of women in mining, challenges for women to access decent work in mining, suggestions that support recruiting and retaining women in the sector, and the path forward towards gender equality in mining. The importance of advancing equal employment opportunity and human rights in the workplace will be highlighted, along with the need for additional research to support women’s reproductive health and mitigate the risk of adverse reproductive outcomes. The next presentation will cover in more depth this latter topic.