Tag Archives: AusIMM

IMARC 2022 to tackle the mining sector’s gender divide

Careers in mining, Mining events, Mining industry recognition, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Closing the gender gap in mining is not only a matter of equity, it also makes business sense, according to five Australian experts who will be addressing the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney in November.

As a whole, the mining industry is trying to address the under-representation of women in mining. Statistics highlighted by WIMnet (Women in Mining) NSW shows that women make up less than 20% of the mining workforce. Unfortunately, at an executive level it gets worse, with 6.7% of mining CEOs being female, compared with the national average of 19.4%.

IMARC organises say it will shine a light on the incredible contribution women bring to the mining industry, hosting a three-day event that will feature 111 female speakers.

Reflecting on the gender transformation sweeping the industry, Chair of WIMnet NSW, Lucy McClean, believes opening the door to more women represents an enormous opportunity for the industry to capitialise on the proven benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce.

“The statistics are very clear, and they tell us that workplace diversity creates more inclusive supporting work environments, enhances teamwork, makes us more effective in service delivery as well as increasing productivity,” she says.

MinterEllison Partner and Head of Perth’s Workplace Law team, Kathy Reid, says: “We need to increase the presence of women in mining, but the industry is facing significant challenges and there’s not one easy answer. Improving mining for women will require significant and consistent cultural shifts across the industry but getting there will be difficult.”

Reid refers to this issue as the chicken and the egg conundrum: “You can’t really make women feel more comfortable in the mining industry until you’ve got greater numbers, but you can’t get greater numbers unless you make them feel more comfortable.”

METS Ignited General Manager, Kylah Morrison, agrees some great strides have been made to make mining more appealing to women, highlighting the power of leveraging tech and innovation.

“Equipment manufacturers are leading the way by breaking down barriers to entry, from simple things like hi-vis gear that is made for women, to major capital investments in heavy equipment,” she said. “Rather than the traditional burly bloke on the frontline, maybe it’s a remotely managed machine, which adds even more to the potential inclusiveness of mining.”

“Inclusivity is important, and that’s where innovation and technology is really exciting because it does make it more of an even playing field.”

AusIMM Independent Consultant, Giulia Savio, says it is clear the mining industry recognises the need to make the workplace more inviting for women, not just by moving away from a “male-only” culture, but by using innovation to create new opportunities in rewarding, highly paid and long-term careers.

However, Savio says the trend within the industry is positive, and applauds the fact that IMARC 2022 is taking a strong focus on the development of female leadership in the sector, and will feature record numbers of female delegates, speakers and panellists.

“We’re not there yet,” she says. “To have true diversity and to realise the value of that diversity, you need inclusivity. In order to improve the industry, leaders need to look at making the sector more friendly and inviting for all. This might mean greater diversity in teams, equipment that can be used by someone with a disability, or more opportunities for flexibility in office based or site-based roles.”

Agnico Eagle Vice President of Corporate Affairs in Australia, John Landmark, echoes this sentiment, outlining the need to tap into a far broader spectrum of talent to shift the idea of the industry being male dominated to being an industry that is in touch with society’s expectations.

“We’ve got to change this, and we’ve got to get this right,” Landmark said. “We must make the workplace more attractive for women and society as a whole.

“I am so excited that these challenges are such a major focus at IMARC and gives us an opportunity to improve the industry for everyone. The ideal workplace is where everyone can be themselves and contribute to the team environment – people of all diverse backgrounds and makeups.

“Frankly, if you make the industry more attractive to women, you improve the industry for all.”

IMARC, organisers say, is the most significant in-person gathering of Australian and international mining and resources representatives in almost three years and is a key forum to addressing the most challenging issues facing the industry. The conference will be held November 2-4 at the Sydney International Convention Centre and will feature over 450 speakers across six concurrent conferences covering the energy transition, rising costs, skills shortages, diversity within the resources sector and more.

International Mining is a media sponsor of IMARC 2022

AusIMM and METS Ignited look to improve METS sector productivity, competitiveness

Automation, Careers in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining industry recognition, Mining services, Sustainable mining, , , , ,

AusIMM has announced a new partnership with industry-led, Australian government-funded industry growth centre, METS Ignited, to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the mining equipment and technology and services (METS) sector.

AusIMM will work with METS Ignited to build recognition of innovation in the resources sector and highlight a shared vision of industry growth, it said.

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin, welcomed the collaboration between two major representative bodies in the Australian resources sector.

“With over 300,000 people directly employed by the METS sector in Australia alone, this workforce is at the forefront of Australia’s contribution to the global mining industry,” he said. “This partnership ensures that AusIMM can support the careers of professionals working in the METS sector, providing them with the leadership and development necessary to sustain a booming national industry.”

As part of the partnership, METS Ignited CEO, Adrian Beer, will feature as a panellist during AusIMM’s Thought Leadership Series.

Beer said: “METS Ignited welcomes the formal partnership between our Industry Growth Centre and AusIMM to deliver greater collaborative opportunities between the resources sector and Australia’s leading tech innovators from the METS sector.

“The AusIMM Thought Leadership Series provides a significant platform to promote the technology and innovation coming out of the sector that addresses our future industry needs, such as low emissions technology, social and environmental responsibility, the future skills for our resources workforce, and capitalising upon the emerging critical minerals demand.”

Byrnecut partners with AusIMM to support, mentor and up-skill workforce

Mining equipment, Mining events, Mining industry recognition, Mining people, Mining services, , , , ,

AusIMM says it has officially launched a three-year major partnership with renowned underground mining contractor Byrnecut.

Introduced as part of AusIMM’s Underground Operators Conference in Perth, Western Australia, which hosts an audience of 1,200 mining representatives and professionals, the partnership will focus on supporting, mentoring and up-skilling Byrnecut professionals, as well as engaging in prominent diversity and inclusion initiatives for the industry, AusIMM said.

Byrnecut Mining, established in 1987, has developed a reputation for professionalism and reliability, growing to employ thousands of people and operate a multimillion-dollar fleet of specialised underground mining equipment, it said.

AusIMM CEO, Stephen Durkin (left), welcomed the opportunity to combine efforts with Byrnecut to better support mining professionals as their careers grow.

“In taking a consolidated approach through our partnership with Byrnecut, we are excited to rollout a well-planned and strategic series of initiatives to provide greater advantage, impact and value for professionals at Byrnecut and the wider industry,” Durkin said.

Byrnecut Group Executive Chairman, Steve Coughlan (right), said that the organisation was looking forward to using their extensive experience and knowledge of the sector to work with AusIMM in supporting, mentoring and up-skilling their workforce.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Australia’s peak body for the resources sector,” Coughlan said. “Building long lasting relationships with our employees and our partners is a key part of our culture and Byrnecut are looking forward to working with AusIMM over the next three years.”

From compliance to commitment: a key opportunity for the global mining industry

Automation, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining events, Mining people, Mining safety, Mining software, , , , , ,

In the lead up to the AusIMM Underground Operators Conference in March, Roy Slack, immediate past President of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) and Underground Operators keynote speaker, has shared his insights on the future of underground mining and the positive impact technology can have on safety.

With 35 years of global experience in mine construction, design and development, Slack is passionate about securing the mining industry’s place as a global leader for change.

“Our industry is on a journey from compliance to commitment,” he said. “From a state where we strive to just meet regulatory requirements, to a place where we meet and far surpass those requirements – not because we are legally required to do so, but because it is a moral imperative.”

Slack discusses how young professionals have an exciting opportunity to build the future of underground mining.

“Today’s youth are entering the industry, or have the opportunity to enter our industry, at a time of great change,” he said. “Change in technology, change in how we deal with people, change in the overall business model that is mining.”

As the mining industry rapidly transforms with new technologies and exciting innovations, Slack believes the whole sector needs to get on board with a fresh way of thinking.

“We need people that thrive on change, that embrace and know what to do with it.”

After such a challenging year, Slack is confident in the resiliency of the mining industry.

“What we continue to see during this pandemic is our industry recognised as an essential service, and mining companies taking the lead when it comes to establishing protocols to protect their people from the virus,” he said.

The industry’s reaction to COVID-19 displayed its agility in adjusting to circumstances, Slack says.

“Productivity did not suffer, and employees were able to better deal with work and home needs.”

Slack has been active in numerous safety initiatives over the years, as well as being appointed to the Province of Ontario’s first Prevention Council, advising the government on workplace safety. He also chairs the CIM Safety Committee.

He says new technologies will create a real sense of support and safety in the workplace for all professionals.

“I am excited about the huge potential of emerging technologies to make our workplaces not just safer, but safe,” he said. “Technology has always been an important part of safety, but the more recent applications of the technology available to us add a whole new perspective on our journey to zero injuries.”

Slack looks forward to the positive and safer benefits technology can create for on-site workers, with the pandemic in some cases speeding up the implementation of automation, remote operations and more.

Ultimately, Slack sees best practice in safety as a three-part equation: “Process, culture and technology; together protecting our people and ultimately achieving a safe workplace,” he said.

AusIMM’s Underground Operators Conference will be held from March 15-17, 2021, via a hybrid format, which offers an opportunity for delegates to attend face-to-face in Perth, Australia or online.

Find out more at https://www.ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/underground-operators

International Mining is a media sponsor of the event

AusIMM signs MoU with Global Mining Association of China

Base metals, Careers in mining, Energy minerals, Gem stone mining, High tech minerals, Industrial minerals, Mining events, Mining policy, Mining services, Mining techniques, Precious metals, Steel and iron ore, Water management, , , ,

The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Global Mining Association of China (GMAC).

The MoU, signed at the China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2018, is a landmark development for Chinese resources professionals, AusIMM said, providing them with access to Australian professional development and mining credentials.

With a focus on enhancing excellence in the resources industry, the MoU will give members of both organisations opportunities for networking, access to key industry events as well as world-class seminars and training.

AusIMM CEO Stephen Durkin (pictured) said the MoU showcased the international collaboration taking place in the mining industry when it came to best practice.

“Sharing knowledge and professional development opportunities is core business for the AusIMM,” Durkin said. “Ensuring that the workforce of the future across Australasia is equipped with the resources and tools to be adequately credentialed and educated by Australian standards brings enormous opportunities for national and international investment as well as for professionals.”

AusIMM was formed in 1893 and is a leading organisation representing more than 65,000 resources sector professionals in the Australasian region (including New Zealand), across industry, government and academia.

GMAC is the representative body for both companies and individuals within the international mining community in China. GMAC’s main goals focus on advocacy, networking, representation and support of its members in the international mining community in China.