30 April 2014 – Traditionally the mining and resources industry is predominantly male. Women are still under represented and only make up 15 per cent of Australia’s mining workforce. While there have been many positive changes integrating women into the mining industry it still appears that they are underrepresented.
The COO Leaders Resources Summit 2014 will be held next week on the 7-8 May in the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast. At this leading event a panel discussion will be held with leading ladies within the mining industry discussing the various reasons why there is such an absence of women in the industry and what challenges the industry faces when it comes to correcting this shortfall. This panel will consist of the following ladies who have a strong presence within the industry:
- Moderator: Vanessa Garling, Head of Corporate Analysis Mining & Metals, Wood Mackenzie
- Patricia Manton-Hall, General Manager, UGL Limited,
- Sabina Shugg, Head of Mining, Momentum Partners and Founder & Chair, Women in Mining WA,
- Sally Rayner, Chief Advisor – Special Projects, Rio Tinto,
- Nikki Poteri-Collie, GM Strategy & Development, Thiess
The mining industry world-wide acknowledges the necessity of integrating more women into the industry and many organisations are working on ways to improve the workplace and make it more appealing to women – mainly via more flexible work practices. However, there are continuous reports on the main issues that prevent women from working in the mining industry, or the challenges that effectively, push them out of the industry. These are; the need for flexible work arrangements, the male orientated work culture, the lack of notice and flexibility when assigned work in remote locations and the lack of child care and parental leave.
The panel at the COO Leaders Resources Summit will address these issues and examine mechanisms that have increased the number of women in the industry along with ways that will help retain them. They will discuss how the mining industry has come a long way with many mining organisations increasing their female numbers through mentoring for women, family friendly rosters and affordable childcare.
A large issue preventing or curtailing the growth of women in the mining industry is the fact that mining does not have a very inviting work – life balance. The industry requires a lot of long term travel (many a time at the last minute’s notice), moving to rural areas and working long irregular hours. Moreover mining can be dangerous work. These tough work conditions mean that something more than a good salary is needed to entice women, and furthermore, keep them.
“The panel at the COO Leaders Mining Summit are ladies who know, understand and appreciate the difficulty women face when entering the mining industry. Sure they’ve been there themselves!”
“This panel understand first hand women’s apprehensions and they are constantly trying to drive an understanding within mining organisations, and the industry in general, so that they can help provide change and improvements to the industry. They will share their advice at the COO Leaders Resources Summit; guidance that they would give to young women entering the mining industry. They will also share their own challenges; what they had to overcome and deal with, when they began their career.” Larry Reaney, Director, COO Leaders Resources Summit
Part of the advice and stories that they will bring to the table is how to handle emotions within this often frustrating male dominated industry. In order to remain in the mining industry, many women need to alter their attitude and establish their own core values, along with keeping their emotions in check. Work can often get massively challenging on a mine site, but if a woman has a strong head on her shoulders and keeps her behaviour assertive, she will have an increased likelihood of staying in the industry and doing well.
There are plenty of aspects that have contributed to this low percentage of women in the industry. However, recognition must be made for the fact that this figure has in fact vastly increased over the past few years. Many organisations are doing their utmost to cater for women in the industry so we should continuously see more and more women entering the mining industry workforce. This panel aims to get the leaders in the mining industry understanding the importance of creating an improved workplace culture for women.
“This panel discussion at the COO Leaders Resources Summit will be really great. All of these women sharing their understanding and their own personal experiences of working in the mining industry will further communicate to the decision making leaders the importance of what needs to be done, in order to further entice and keep women within this industry.” Larry Reaney, Director, COO Leaders Resources Summit.
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