Home Page - International Women in Mining (IWiM)

International Women in Mining (IWiM) is a leading global organisation pursuing gender equality and promoting women’s voices, access to opportunities and leadership in mining

Elsa Nielsen, Jackleg Miner, Goldcorp - Hoyle Pond Mine, Canada. Photo won the IWiM Photo Competition in 2017. Title "They thought I couldn't do it". - "This picture was taken after a very hard night shift. My partner called in sick and the shifter sent me to do the same job both of us were originally lined up to do. He said, "Just get what you can get done." So by myself - I cycled a jackleg slash. I mucked out the round before. I bolted up using a jackleg and a stoper installing 8' rebar in the back, 4' rebar in the walls and screened everything. I plotted my slash, marked off my face, and drilled and blasted a slash with the jackleg drill - all by myself. They thought I couldn't do it. They expected the round mucked out and maybe a couple of bolts in the wall. I actually got an apology out of the blue from one of my coworkers saying, "I always saw your gender first, and that meant there were just some things you weren't supposed to be able to do... I'm sorry for limiting you."

Women work in, around and with the mining sector across all functions and continents: IWiM is an international platform in support of a global agenda

Attracting and retaining talent is a priority for mining, yet women remain under-represented: IWiM aims to lead a global change in attitudes and behaviour to achieve gender parity in mining.

IWiM roles and goals:
* as Industry Change Agent, to make mining a better industry through diversity, gender parity and inclusion
* as WIM Champion, to strengthen and coordinate Women in Mining (WIM) organisations to achieve global cohesion
* as Diversity Trend Setter, to collect and dispense knowledge supporting the enhancement of women’s role and participation

Cassia Johnson, Cerro Rico, Bolivia. "This photo was taken during an independent, 4 month backpacking trip through South America. I had the initiative to go here during a mining downturn, where I ventured to learn Spanish, see culture and landscape, and catch a glimpse of how artisanal mining helps build communities. The Cerro Rico, a Bolivian mine in Potosi, was the 3rd mine I was able to visit on my trip. The differences between the mines of Potosi and the mines I've visited in Canada are vast. It is one of those experiences that makes you appreciate what you have while developing respect for people living in the current experience."

Industry Change Agent

Make Mining a better industry through diversity, gender parity and inclusion

Our Projects

WIM Champion

Strengthen and coordinate Women in Mining (WIM) organisations to achieve global cohesion

WIM organisations

Diversity Trend Setter

Collect and dispense knowledge supporting the enhancement of women’s role and participation

Resources

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