Women in mining are improving the bottom line
Once per month, during the lunchtime bustle of downtown Vancouver’s business district, women and men in the mining and mineral exploration industries gather in a large boardroom for a “Women in Mining” Vancouver Branch (WIMBC) meeting.
WIMBC was founded in March, 2002 by Diane Gregory and Barbara Caelles, experienced mining industry professionals looking to bring women in mining together in an informal setting to connect, share knowledge and experiences and increase opportunities for career growth for women in these industries.
Within a year, WIMBC grew to 100 members. By 2011 WIMBC’s membership increased to almost 800 members, making it abundantly clear that women are eager to support each other toward success in what is still a male-dominated industry.
Never before has there been so pressing a need to encourage women to pursue opportunities in mining.
A recent study published jointly by APA BC, AME BC and MABC examining female participation in the industry, entitled “Women: An Unmined Resource,” reports that even under a neutral forecast an additional 5,910 workers will be required by 2016.
Although shortages of skilled workers are nothing new, the recent unprecedented growth in exploration and development creates a demand for effective leaders and skilled workers that is causing significant competition amongst mining companies globally.
Companies are being pushed to find new ways to satisfy the demand, including increasing the opportunities for women.
The same report notes that although women are entering the industry in record numbers, the current percentage of women employed in the industry in BC is only 16%; well below the average of 62% across all industries.
It goes on to discuss some of the reasons why the industry is particularly challenging for women and how that might be addressed.
Making the industry more attractive and viable for women would certainly help alleviate the squeeze on human capital that is now a reality. It would likely also significantly improve an organization’s performance and profitability[1], help the organization reduce risk, and generally improve the social and economic fabric of our global community.
Why? Well-researched and documented is the fact that women generally bring a more values-based and team-building approach to work and to their leadership style and philosophy.[2]
Recent research reveals that female leaders are often viewed as exhibiting leadership qualities that make them more effective leaders than their male counterparts.[3]
These attributes can help organizations build a more cohesive workforce that can translate into increased worker loyalty and retention, a safer workplace, a stronger corporate social responsibility (CSR) platform and reduced risk for the organization during operations, and thus for shareholders and potential investors.
In line with the strong current focus on CSR in the mining industry, WIMBC strongly promotes the importance of CSR and community building – values that mining companies world-wide must demonstrate in earnest if they want to ensure that their projects are supported and are permitted on time and on budget.
WIMBC’s commitment to CSR is embodied not only in its central mandate to connect and support women’s advancement in the mining industry, but through its external reach.
WIMBC gives back to the community in a financially tangible way by fundraising for the causes that are significant to its members. With the support of Roca Mines Inc., WIM organizes an annual Gala Reception during BC Mining Week with all proceeds donated to the BC Children’s Hospital. WIMBC is actively involved with the CIBC Run for the Cure, and in 2010, with participation from other WIM branches, raised over $50,000.
WIMBC also supports communities whose livelihoods depend on mining. In 2009, WIM participated in the “Townships Project,” which aids the building of South African township businesses through micro lending, micro franchising and asset-based community development. Together with the Women in Mining Toronto Branch, WIMBC raised over $110,000.
If you are interested in joining WIMBC or presenting a topic at one of its meetings, please contact WIMBC at wimvanc@gmail.com. More information about WIMBC can be found at http://www.amebc.ca/resources-and-publications/women-in-mining-vancouverbranch/Women-in-mining-vancouver-branch.aspx.
Michelle Pockey and Johanna Fipke are lawyers with the Global Mining Gruop of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP and strong supporters of WIMBC.
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