WOMEN IN MINING: BREAKING BARRIERS
A recent industry report on female participation within mineral exploration and mining noted that the industry contributes about one in 20 jobs in BC, yet women only make up about 16 percent of the industry workforce, and just five percent in non- traditional roles, such as: heavy equipment operators, tradespersons, and labourers. “The industry generally is very welcoming to women, but there is more we can do,” says Lisa Blackham, manager of Human Resources at HDI, a Vancouver based, global mineral development company. “we need to ensure that the work culture is conducive to women, and that there are female role models in leadership positions in some of the non- traditional areas of the business, such as at mine sites and in the exploration field.”
Melanie Hennessey, vice- president of Investor Relations for Hecla Mining concurs with Blackham, and believes that education is one of the keys to increasing the number of women working in the industry. “Mining is an exciting and challenging industry, with lots of opportunity, but I knew very little about it before Iwas introduced to it through an internship,” she says.“we need to change the perception that mining is a dirty industry. There is a lot of good being done to minimize the environmental impact, and our society wouldn’t function without mining.”
Education is a big part of the Industry Training Authority ( ITA), a provincial government agency that oversees the industry training system in Bc.“women can play an increased role, and clearly we have room to grow,” says Kevin Evans, the Authority’s CEO. “When a woman makes the decision that she wants a career in the trades and mining, we are able to provide the necessary training and skills.” The it a provide stuition, tools, and books, and just as important, daycare subsidies. Evans adds that technology has really blurred the lines between genders, because you don’t have to be a strong, burly man to do the work.
Angeline Camille, a First Nations woman from Kamloops, has worked at three mine sites in bc, as an electrician, and is one of those few women working in a non- traditional role within the industry. “An office- type job didn’t suit me,” says Camille, who studied at thompson rivers University. “my instructors pointed me in this direction, and the more i worked at it, the more i believed i could do it.”