During the day, guest speakers shared their views and experiences on what the industry has achieved so far, and the challenges and opportunities that still exist to achieve effective gender equality in the sector under the IDWIM 2024 theme “I Am Mining an I Belong”. Their views will guide IDWIM as it continues its work over the coming year.
With more than 10 years with the company, she leads Teck’s representation in South America, where the company has operations and projects located in Chile, Peru, Argentina and also Mexico.
Amparo participates in the Chilean mining industry as a director of the National Mining Society and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Mining Council. She is a director of the Chilean Pacific Foundation, the Chilean-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and is a member of UNICEF’s Business Advisory Committee. In 2024 she joined the board of the Foundation Image of Chile and the Carbon Neutrality and Resilience Committee convened by the Ministries of Environment, Economy, Energy and Science.
Among her recognitions in the mining industry are the one granted by the Canadian Embassy in Chile for her contribution to the development of indigenous peoples; elected as Executive of the Year by the organization Women in Mining Chile; and named among the 100 World’s Most Inspirational Women in Mining by Women In Mining UK. She was recently named Chile´s Executive of the Year 2023 by EY and El Mercurio newspaper.
Antonia Cósmica Orellana Guarello is a journalist specializing in Media Management from the Institute of Communication and Image at the University of Chile (2014). She has dedicated a significant part of her professional career to supporting the development and dissemination of various social and political organizations in the country, highlighting her commitment to the feminist movement both in Chile and Latin America.
She was a member of the School of Popular Communication from 2012 to 2015 and from that year until 2020, she was an adjunct member of the Chilean Network Against Violence Towards Women in the Metropolitan Region.
In 2017, she joined the Gender Programmatic Team for Beatriz Sánchez’s presidential candidacy and three years later, she was the coordinator of the parity law initiative in the constitutional process and the coordinator of the Women’s Opposition Articulation and the “United for Approval” campaign.
She stands out, along with Marcela Sandoval, as co-author of the follow-up report “Violence Against Women in Chile During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Absent State” delivered to the UN High Commissioner Dubravka Šimonović in 2020.
For the 2021 presidential election, she was in charge of Social Organizations for President Gabriel Boric’s campaign and was a member of the feminist team for the Government Plan.
Aurora Williams holds a degree in business administration from the Universidad Católica del Norte with postgraduate studies specializing in business administration, including a Master’s in Business Management and Administration from the University of Lleida in Spain. A member of the Radical Party (PR), she has over 30 years of experience in high-level executive positions in various companies in the north of our country, particularly in Antofagasta, her hometown.
The minister has an extensive background in the mining sector. In March 2014, she led the Ministry of Mining, becoming the second woman in the country’s history to hold this position.
During her tenure, the capitalization of Codelco was approved to finance the state-owned company’s structural projects, and a law was enacted to create a Copper Price Stabilization Mechanism for Small-Scale Mining. Additionally, she established the National Lithium Commission, aimed at developing a public policy for the growth of this industry in the country.
Before taking on this challenge, Williams was in charge of Operations Management at the Integrated Mining Technology Pilot Center (CIPTEMIN).
Bothwell Mazarura is the Chief Financial Officer at Kumba Iron Ore, a position he held since September 2017. Prior to that he served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at Wescoal Holdings Limited, since July 2016. He previously held various senior financial roles at Lonmin Plc since 2010 including Group Head of Finance, Head of Treasury and Acting Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Lonmin Plc, he was a Partner at Deloitte & Touche since 2002, where he also spent some time working in the United Kingdom. Bothwell holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science Degree from the University of South Africa and is an accredited Chartered Accountant in three jurisdictions – England and Wales, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Metallurgist by training and innovator at heart, Chelsea’s mining career centres on using new technology where it hasn’t been used before. Based in Vancouver, Chelsea serves as Director of Digital Operations at Teck, supporting and enhancing operations technologies, including mobile fleet management systems and processing automation. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Innovation from Stanford Business School, and is published in the areas of minerals processing and hydrometallurgy.
Kevin D’Souza is a distinguished professional and visionary thought leader with nearly three decades of direct experience in Environment Social & Governance (ESG) and more recently Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) related issues in mining. His career has focused on creating sustainable business value, combined with social purpose, through informed ESG strategic planning, and real tactical operational implementation for value protection and creation. He has conscientiously overseen the recruitment, development, and retention of multi-cultural and diverse talent in company-wide HSEC and security functions. He has led teams in multiple company processes, including acquisitions, restructurings, turnarounds, consolidations, and divestments whilst navigating unique ESG-related due diligence, and host country permitting and regulatory requirements.
Kevin has gained wide-ranging knowledge, and both strategic and operational experience, in a variety of consultancy, managerial, and senior/executive leadership roles from remote exploration camps, construction sites, and operational mines, to Corporate and even Ministerial offices. He has expertly led, guided, and collaborated with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams to address and resolve conflict; reach consensus to secure and maintain local and Indigenous community acceptance (social license to operate); and the creation of sustainable socio-economic value and robust environmental performance.
Kevin has amassed direct operational experience in over fifty countries worldwide, especially in developing countries and fragile post-conflict areas. He is known for his strong cross-cultural competency and deliberate relationship-based approach, He has also worked extensively as a strategic advisor on extractive industry-related developmental programs for major NGOs and with International Funding Institutions (IFIs), including the World Bank, DFID, ILO, and several UN agencies supporting emerging market Governments on policy reform and investment programs.
Kevin has overseen multi-level government relations and regulatory permitting in numerous jurisdictions coupled with meeting stringent international level financing conditionality for both strategic and tactical ESG-related performance requirements. He has proactively met Board, investor, lender, and key stakeholder expectations and the requirements of numerous ESG related performance and disclosure standards including (ICMM, RGMPs, IFC, EBRD, GRI, TCFD, SASB, etc) through the development of strong internal oversight controls and robust reporting procedures.
Currently Kevin is Chief Sustainability Officer at Resource Capital Funds, based out of their Toronto office.
Lamees Assidmi is the Chief of Diversity & Inclusion in Ma’aden. A visionary and transformational leader armed with an extensive 14-year background in Strategic Human Capital, building capabilities, and a mission to foster an inclusive work environment that enables employees from all segments of the society to prosper and thrive in their careers. With Vision 2030 as her guiding blueprint, she has successfully led and implemented DEI initiatives, built a robust foundation to retain and attract a diverse workforce, and is focused on embedding DEI in the fabric of the organization’s culture to be the employer of choice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mpumi has over 20 years of hands-on operational and leadership experience in mining. She began her career at De Beers as a chemical engineering bursar before becoming the first female General Manager at De Beers and then succeeded to the role of Deputy CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines in 2017. Mpumi completed her tenure at De Beers as the Managing Director of the Group’s Managed Operations business in South Africa and Canada. After over two decades of working her way through the ranks at De Beers, she was appointed as CEO of Kumba Iron Ore in January 2022.
Mpumi is personally committed to accelerating the involvement of women and youth in the industry by investing in women at every level, driving greater representation across Kumba; investing in female micro-entrepeneurs in communities; and encouraging young women to study STEM subjects.
Rebecca Peacock is a seasoned metallurgist with over 19 years of experience in the mining industry, currently serving as General Manager of the Concentrator at ArcelorMittal Liberia. In her role, Rebecca oversees the operations of the existing Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) plant and leads the operational readiness of the new 15 MTPA concentrator currently under construction. Her leadership is instrumental in ensuring the efficient and effective operation of these facilities, driving operational excellence and strategic growth.
Rebecca’s career in mining has been marked by a steady rise through a series of progressively responsible roles. She began her journey as a Metallurgist at Glencore Xstrata, Eland Concentrator in South Africa, quickly moving into technical and managerial positions. Her first expat role was with Glencore at the Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she started as a Senior Metallurgist and promoted to a Technical Superintendent. This role paved the way for her subsequent position at First Quantum Minerals, where she contributed to significant projects in Mauritania and Panama. Notably, she has held pivotal roles such as Chief Metallurgist and Concentrator Director at Kaz Minerals, where she made significant contributions to metallurgical performance and operational efficiency.
Rebecca is passionate about talent development and inclusivity in the mining sector. She is actively involved in mentoring young professionals, fostering their growth, and ensuring the development of a skilled workforce.
Rebecca holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of London, a BSC (Hons) in Management of Technology from Pretoria University, and a BTech in Chemical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology.
Outside of her professional commitments, Rebecca enjoys practicing Muay Thai, which keeps her disciplined and focused. She also loves hosting gatherings where she cooks and shares meals with family and friends, showcasing her culinary talents. Additionally, Rebecca participates in sports events at work, emphasizing the importance of team building and physical wellness. Rebecca’s blend of technical expertise, leadership acumen, and commitment to mentoring and inclusivity makes her a valuable voice in the mining industry.
In 2004, I fled the war in my home country Iraq seeking safety and looking for a new place to call home, finally arriving to Canada as an approved refugee in 2008. This country has opened its doors for me and offered me safety and the opportunity for a normal future. I decided that my opportunity and duty was to be a contributing member in the society. All I had was my degree in computer engineering and the working skills that I developed in my previous life. I aggressively started looking for a job where I can deploy my skills and integrate with the Canadian society. It was challenging at first, but just like any other challenge in my life it made me a stronger person. The successes I achieved since, provided me with the fulfillment that I needed. At this point in my career, self-actualization is beyond achieving my own goals but rather empowering others and guiding them to achieve their own goals.
One of my biggest achievements started with a significant challenge at Kinross. In 2015 I was promoted to IT Security Manager, a position that I never held before and inherited a domain that was underperforming despite its importance to the business. Cybersecurity is the one area of IT that is often disliked and unappreciated. I had a global mandate to run the cybersecurity program for the organization. I had some technical expertise in the area. but nowhere near what I needed to be able to run the department. Today, cybersecurity is one of the most successful and appreciated functions within IT; the only area of IT that is regularly discussed at the board of directors’ level.
Continuing the path of learning and development, I commenced an Executive MBA program in 2020. This was the biggest step I have taken in my career, and also the most rewarding. I could feel the impact of the program on my professional and personal growth. It helped define my purpose as it helped me expand my vision and build the business acumen I need for the next chapter in my career.
When it’s time to relax and take a break from my busy work life, I spend time with family and friends on outside activities during the summer. I enjoy swimming, reading, and baking and decorating cakes to share it with my family, friends, and coworkers. I think a delicious piece of cake puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Technology and cyber security are my true passion. Continues learning and development is my pleasure. And empowering others to maximizing their potential and achieving their goals satisfy my sense of purpose.
At Kinross, I have a unique opportunity to deploy my skills and challenge myself every day to grow professionally and personally.
I am visionary, detailed oriented, driven by my ambition, and motivated by the excitement of overcoming obstacles and challenges.
With more than 15 years of experience in the mining and construction sector, she is currently the Business Line Manager at Sandvik and oversees three divisions in the India region. Her responsibilities include driving revenue and profit growth, expanding capabilities and leading digital and sustainability transformations. She has successfully introduced technologies and solutions to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, with a strong focus on employee engagement, diversity and environmental standards. As an advocate for DE&I in manufacturing and mining, she loves building high-performing teams and fostering effective customer relationships. Her track record includes verifiable EBITDA growth in the construction and mining businesses and has been recognised for her leadership potential. Sushma currently contributes to Sandvik India’s management team, driving positive change and customer-centric results.