Gender diversity within the mining industry is a challenge that has been addressed from different perspectives. Currently, the female presence in the industry is 18%, and in the group of supplier companies in the sector it reaches an average of 12%, according to the Mining Suppliers Association (APRIMIN). It is in this context that, together with Talento Mujer and RedEG, the first women's business roundtable was organized under the umbrella of Exponor to address this issue and where the launch of Women in Action was taken advantage of, an initiative that brings together women leaders from companies associated with APRIMIN with the aim of adding more to the mining ecosystem.
Main Objectives:
- To raise awareness in the sector about the importance of increasing female participation, emphasizing the message that diversity is not only about gender but also about knowledge, expertise, and contribution. All this, by joining efforts at the industry level to promote spaces for female participation in mining.
- The implementation of more and better initiatives that support diversity and inclusion within organizations, moving towards firm and robust policies, capable of being evaluated in their impact and over time.
- Assuming commitments and/or goals for the integration of more female talent within the companies we work with in the mining world.
- Promoting spaces from basic and secondary education, increasing girls' interest in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM).
Increase female presence in mining through the structuring of committees focused on:
Supporting the Growth of Women in Mining through Mentoring
Compilation of Best Practices from APRIMIN Companies, with a Focus on Sustainability
Visibility for Women Belonging to Mining Supplier Companies
“This is a highly important effort because it involves society incorporating women into different areas of life.”
On the other hand, WIA joins the effort to implement ME Elecmetal's Sustainability Strategy in its People pillar and its commitment related to diversity and inclusion, which seeks to design and execute initiatives to promote and encourage the hiring of women across all our business lines, globally and regionally. Thus, the goal is the presence of women at all levels and ranks of the organization.
ME Elecmetal's participation is through its Sustainability Deputy Manager, Constanza Echeverria, and the Technical Commercial Manager of Foundry Workshops, Mariángeles Canitrot. At the same time, the working group promoted by APRIMIN includes the participation of various women leaders from associated companies.
WIA brings together 27 companies, out of a total of 135 members, from areas and services such as construction, health, transportation, engineering, technology, and commerce, among others, and is growing.
The launch, which took place on Wednesday, June 5 at Exponor 2024 in Antofagasta, Chile, featured the participation of the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, who emphasized that this drive will “open paths for girls and adolescents,” a group that was also present on the occasion. For her part, Dominique Viera, president of APRIMIN, explained that the creation of this group is especially relevant because of the industry's responsibility to demonstrate that gaps are being addressed and that there is much to do and continue improving.
WIA meets monthly, working on the action plan and with an agenda of field activities maximizing collaboration among mining supplier companies.
