From today our project is renamed EquiSpace, blending  equity and space and where Safety, Belonging, and Productivity align. It is based on SHIFT = Safe, Human-Centred, Inclusive Facilities & Teams

Redesigning Mining Workplaces for Everyone.

EquiSpace advances not only how mining spaces look — but how they feel, function, and support people at every level of their organisation.

SHIFT is a strategic way to transform workplace environments across the mining sector through inclusive, human-centred design. By rethinking how spaces are planned, built, and experienced, we foster safer, more accessible, and equitable workplaces for all employees—regardless of gender, background, or ability.

From locker rooms to lunchrooms, equipment zones to leadership offices, EquiSpace and SHIFT integrate design best practices with cultural insights to create environments where every worker feels respected, empowered, and safe. The project aligns with industry goals around diversity, retention, and operational excellence by building physical spaces that reflect inclusive values and promote well-being.

SHIFT isn’t just about facilities—it’s about reshaping the future of work in mining.

In a context of increased hybrid workplaces, combined with the digital and automation revolution at mine sites and the increasing ESG expectations from stakeholders, the mining sector must focus on attraction, retention and development of talent; health, safety and well-being efforts; innovation and new technologies; as well as inclusion and better work management practices.

We started this porject in 2019 (back then simply named Inclusive Workplace Design) to support the creation and development of a workplace infrastructure and culture that provides workers with safe and inclusive work environments that are conducive to improved performance, well-being and belonging. Our aim is to provide the industry with guidelines and frameworks through which organisations can ensure retention and inclusion of all its workers which in turn will lead change towards a more inclusive and sustainable mining industry globally.

 

Objectives

  • To discuss innovative and practical ideas to improve workplace design that benefits everyone working in mining. How can we make mining inclusive and accessible regardless of gender, ethnicity & race, ability, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background, religion and ability?
  • Share best practice and practical solutions to achieve attraction to the sector, recruitment, retention and well-being of women and men working in mining
  • Focus on action-orientated outcomes within businesses and organisations which, supported by key procurement processes, encourages individuals and organisations to challenge the status quo
  • Provide further insights into the key themes of Inclusive Workplace Design​
  • Contribute to the development of a framework, guidance material or toolkit to assist organisations to implement their own Inclusive Workplace Design

Key themes of Inclusive Workplace Design:

  • Safety and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • ​Changing rooms & toilets 
  • Menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, miscarriage and fertility, adoption, lactation ​
  • ​Mental health and well-being​
  • Shift design, fly-in-fly-out (FIFO), remote work ​
  • Parental leave & child care
  • Office, mine, camp and plant physical infrastructure including access, lighting and security
  • Neurodivergence and ability

2019: Research and drafting of concept note by Barbara Dischinger and Kristy Christensen

➡️ Concept Note Inclusive Workplace Design in Mining

2020: The first round table on this topic was hosted by IWIM at the PDAC Convention in Canada during March 2020. The discussions that ensued provided fertile concepts with which the project was formed.

➡️ Read the PDAC 2020 round table summary notes (HERE) for further details.

Round table discussion at Norton Rose Fulbright in Toronto during PDAC 2020

2020-2021: Translation of the concept note into Spanish, attempts to hold virtual round tables

2021-2022: Between mid 2021 and the end of 2002, the project’s efforts were coordinated by WIM USA and WiR (Women in Resources, Northern Territories, Australia) as part of the International WIM Alliance. During this period the project team focused on identifying key themes and trends regarding Inclusive Workplace Design through various round tables and meetings with different women in mining organisations.

Discussion topics included: safety and PPE; mental health; shift design and FIFO; changing rooms and toilets; menstruation and menopause; pregnancy and lactation; parental leave; crèches and nurseries; procurement and supply chains; technology/digital transformation and automation; and office design. By the end of 2022 the project team defined the next phase of the project with further research on each of the key concepts identified, as well as workshops to survey industry practitioners.

2023: During the first quarter of the year, research will be carried out by a global team, guided by a research lead who will focus the scope on the 7 identified topics. It was decided that project coordination and focus will no longer be part of the International WIM Alliance as the focus and objectives expands to the entire mine value chain. Unfortunately the research gathered was not analysed due to methodology issues. One session was delivered at CRU Copper in Santiago, Chile

2024: Development of a gender site audit for completion by December

2025: Implementation of gender site audit by industry and optimisation