Page 12 - pd306-July22-mag-web_Neat

neWs

CME celebrates female excellency

he Chamber of Minerals and Energy diversity in the resources sector to continue haviour encouraging consumption such as
TWA (CME) celebrated the West Aus- but to also encompass more than just gen- shots or double servings.
tralian mining sector’s best and brightest der. “Events over the past 18 months, includ-
women in May at its 13th annual Women in “Diversity of all aspects is key, it’s not only ing the ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry into
Resources Awards (WIRA). gender but also sexuality, ethnicity, disabil- sexual harassment against women in the
Perth’s Exhibition and Convention Cen- ity and where you come from,” she said. “I FIFO mining industry have strengthened
tre welcomed almost 1,000 attendees to think if you have that diversity, you’re going our resolve to provide safe and inclusive
the Friday night gala which showcased to have diverse thoughts and then you’re workspaces for all of the sector’s 156,000-
nominees from resources companies such going to have innovation, and ultimately plus employees,” CME director of policy
as BHP Ltd, Newmont Australia Ltd and success. Inclusion breeds inclusion, it’s a and advocacy Rob Carruthers said.
Tianqi Lithium Corp. self-perpetuating cycle.” The alcohol consumption policy is also
CME chief executive Paul Everingham Ensuring women of different back- joined by a number of mental wellbeing
recognised on the night that diverse repre- grounds are able to participate in the sec- practices being implemented on work sites
sentation and fresh tor looms as the in- such as a collaboration with Lifeline WA on
culture was a grow- dustry’s next major the Resourceful Mind programme.
ing strength of the challenge. The Resourceful Minds programme that
resources industry. Charles Darwin was piloted over a six-month period with
“Each year University Northern companies such as Roy Hill Pty Ltd and
WIRA highlights Institute researcher Mineral Resources Ltd aimed to promote a
some exception- Jodi Cowdery re- strong quality of mental wellbeing and the
ally inspirational cently argued that practice of healthy actions.
stories, and 2022 Northern Territory’s Farris said ongoing encouragement of
is no different,” First Nations wom- healthy and inclusive workplaces would
Everingham said. en stand to gain the support the resources sector to reap future
“While our winners least benefits from benefits.
all have different Newmont Australia corporate counsel Elle the sector. A 2016 “I think it’s incredibly important that the
stories and back- Farris took home the Outstanding Young study reported trend of increasing female participation in
grounds, the one Woman in Resources Award on the night 1.5% of Australia’s the industry continues,” she said. “Study af-
attribute they share mining workforce ter study shows the benefits of diversity on
in common is that identified as First outcomes, both financially and for creating
they are all leaders in one shape or another. Nations women. a good culture.”
“As our sector strives to increase diversity Meanwhile, an AusIMM Women in Min- Other WIRA winners this year included
and continue the journey towards equality, ing Survey from last year found Aboriginal BHP Mining Systems West engineer Kim
our 2022 WIRA winners show that the fu- and Torres Strait Islander women in the Tan for Technological Innovation, Tianqi
ture of the WA mining and resources sector sector were five times more likely to have a Lithium superintendent of process Kathy
is in very good hands. high school gradu- Lewi for Outstand-
“In recognising and celebrating not only ate degree as their ing Woman in Re-
our winners but all our finalists, I hope that highest form of sources, BHP vice
we can highlight the wide range of jobs, qualification when president for ware-
career pathways and opportunities that are compared to the housing inventory
available to women in our sector.” survey’s average. and logistics Marie
Newmont Australia corporate counsel That same study Bourgoin for the
Elle Farris took home the Outstanding saw 79% of re- Champion Award
Young Woman in Resources award on the spondents deem and RIG Technolo-
night. leadership to be the gies International
The country WA-born resources lawyer mover for promot- programme man-
first found herself working with major clients ing diversity and ager Sravani Muk-
under international law firm Allens. That inclusion in the sec- Madeline Deppeler, Kathy Lewi, Sravani Mukkisa, kisa for the People’s
contact with the industry soon turned into a tor. Elle Farris, Marie Bourgoin and Kim Tan Choice Award.
full plunge when she accepted her current Creating a safe Compass Group
role with Newmont. working environment is likely to be key. Fol- took out the Outstanding Company Ini-
Farris’ achievements with Newmont so lowing scathing reports of sexual harass- tiative Award for its Respectful Behaviours
far include assisting the divestment of the ment towards women in the sector, CME campaign.
company’s 50% stake in Kalgoorlie Consol- and its member companies recently intro- CME’s chief executive role is now filled
idated Gold Mines and drafting the compa- duced industry-wide guidance to curb the in interim by Carruthers after Everingham
ny’s first autonomous haulage agreement. consumption of alcohol at work site accom- passed the reins over to the group’s first
The latter move saw Newmont become the modation facilities with psychological and ever female chief executive in its 122-year
world’s first gold miner to implement auton- physical safety cited as the reasoning. history, Rebecca Tomkinson, in May.
omous haulage. This included a four-drink limit for work-
Farris said she hoped for inclusion and ers over a 24-hour period and quashing be-

Page 12 JULY 2022 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT