MINING THE GAP:
Association wants to see diversified work force
Geoscientist Nancy Komperdo has worked at remote locations where she was the only woman at a camp.
“If you’re a single female working in a remote location with 20 other people, that can be a very different environment than working in Saskatoon in an office,” said Komperdo, senior geoscientist at BHP Billiton Canada, and co-chair of Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan (WIM/ WiN-SK).
A recent Stats Canada labour survey showed that women make up 20 per cent of the mining work force across Canada, but in Saskatchewan women only represent 11 per cent.
Komperdo had no issues in her experience, but she has heard stories of discrimination, which is why she says associations like WIM/WiN-SK are important.
“The industry is a wonderful place to work, but there are systemic issues we’re working our way through,” she said. “Some women face struggles coming back from maternity leave... they feel it reflects poorly on their ability to perform. Work-life balance is an issue, like any other industry out there.”
The association is an opportunity to build networks, meet mentors, find support and celebrate successes. It’s also free to join and open to anyone – not just women, and not just people in the mining or nuclear industries.
“It’s not just about women. It can be about ethnicity or sexual orientation. There’s systemic issues in society that exist in the mining industry as well.”
In addition to providing support to members, WIM/WiN-SK aims to promote the industry as a great career choice and to educate the public.
“People think you work in the mining industry, therefore you’re a coal miner – you’re dirty, crouched down – but that’s so far from the truth of what the industry is today.”
Another misconception is that the industry is unsafe, but the Saskatchewan Mining Association says mining is one of the safest industries in the province, reporting fewer injuries than workers at construction sites, or even at government and health care jobs.
In her everyday work as a senior geoscientist at BHP Billiton Canada, she does geological work (“literally looking at rocks”), as well as project management, including overseeing contracts, working with other companies, and acting as a resource for multiple teams if they require assistance.
“It’s varied work; I love the dynamic and challenge,” Komperdo said. “It’s a heck of a lot of fun.”
She also says both she and WIM/WiN-SK would like to see more diversity in the mining and nuclear fields, because diversity of gender, background, and sexuality brings with it diversity of thought.
“It’s generally a male-dominated industry, but studies across the world show that diversified work forces drive innovation.”
The fourth annual Mine Your Potential event also focused on this topic. The theme for this year’s event was “Mining The Gap,” addressing the gap in diversity in the mining and nuclear work force.
Held on September 23, the fullday event featured talks on a variety of topics, including work-life balance, emotional intelligence, understanding financial statements, technical presentations, and introductions to mining and uranium.
Opening remarks were from journalist Rosalie Woloski on the history of women in mining, and the keynote address was from Dr. ‘Lyn Anglin, chief scientific officer at Imperial Metals Corporation, about her career and the lessons she learned from her experiences in the industry.
The majority of the attendees work in mining or nuclear, but students also attend to learn more about possible career paths and to meet people in the industries.
The association has already begun planning next year’s conference. WIM/WiN-SK may only be five years old, but the organization has big visions for the future.
“We’re looking into why there’s a gap, how we can close it, and how to promote this industry,” Komperdo said. “I don’t see why we couldn’t get to 50 per cent [women in the industry]... The challenge is educating people on the industry, and understanding that it is an industry for everyone, regardless of background, gender, or sexual orientation. It’s not the old boys club that it was 30 years ago.”
Studies across the world show that diversified work forces drive innovation.” NANCY KOMPERDO, Co-chair, Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan (WIM/ WiN-SK) held its fourth annual “Mine Your Potential” event in Saskatoon yesterday, to encourage women to consider careers in the mining sector.