WOMEN IN MINING
workforce in Canada is female . According to a recent study by Women In Mining ( UK ) ( co-authored with PwC ), the mining sector had the worst number of women on boards of any industry group in the world . Women only occupy eight percent of all board seats in the top 100 mining companies , with only four female executive directors in this group .
Historically , women have shied away from careers in mining because of inflexible work arrangements or an unwelcoming workplace culture .
“ There are a lot of barriers caused by my gender ,” says Wilhemina Manaso , a mine manager at BHP Billiton in South Africa . “ As a woman , if you ’ re doing well in a male-dominated industry they think you ’ re having an affair with one of the senior managers . Every time I was promoted , they would say : ‘ How come you promoted her ? Is she having a relationship with you ?’”
Despite the disappointing statistics , the mining industry is striving to change .
According to Helen Conway , Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency , the mining industry has clearly demonstrated an acceptance of the business benefits of gender diversity .
“ A lot of sectors have been able to duck the gender equality issue , but talent shortages in this fast growing industry have ensured gender equality is a burning platform . As a result , we are seeing some great initiatives come out of the mining sector , designed to broaden the talent pool and improve gender diversity ,” Conway said .
Out of all industries , mining is experiencing the fastest rate of job growth in the last decade , fueling demand for very skilled occupations such as engineers ,
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