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

Inclusive Workplace Design refers to the process of creating and developing a workplace infrastructure and culture that provides workers with safe and inclusive work environments that are conducive to improved performance,  wellbeing and belonging.

About the project

The Inclusive Workplace Design project was designed by IWiM as a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to provide the industry with guidelines and frameworks through which organisations can ensure retention and inclusion of all its workers. Through the project’s deliverables and actions, IWiM will lead change towards a more inclusive and sustainable mining industry globally.

The project identifies key themes across large-scale mining, and aims to collect relevant information about each theme from multiple locations. The project will identify innovative and practical practices to improve workplace design, as well as share these practices and solutions to ensure a focus on action-orientated outcomes for companies and organisations.

 

Inclusive Workplace Design project objectives:

  • Provide further insights into the key themes of Inclusive Workplace Design
  • Identify innovative and practical ideas to create more inclusive workplaces
  • Share of useful resources and practical solutions at the service of the industry
  • 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) procurement and supply chain
  • Changing rooms, toilets 
  • Menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, miscarriage and fertility, adoption, lactation
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Shift design, fly-in-fly-out (FIFO), remote work
  • Family leave, child care
  • New technologies, digital transformation and automation
  • Office, mine, camp and plant physical infrastructure including access, lighting, 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.

Roundtable 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 roundtables and meetings with different stakeholders, namely women in mining organisations and large-scale mining companies in various locations.

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.

Data collection and analysis is ongoing.

Inclusive Workplace Design Project Leadership Team

Picture of Ally Bavor

Ally Bavor

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Perth / Australia
Bio
Picture of Ally Bavor
Ally Bavor
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Perth / Australia

Ally is an exploration geologist specializing in mineral sands with a passion for promoting women’s involvement in the mining industry. With 2 years of experience in geological exploration, she is dedicated to advancing sustainable and responsible resource development while advocating for gender diversity and inclusion in the field. In her free time, She enjoys going on hikes, listening to podcasts, practicing pilates, and indulging in coffee. Additionally, She is a proud fur-parent of three adorable cats who keep her on her toes!

Picture of Anjulli Martinez

Anjulli Martinez

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Mexico
Bio
Picture of Anjulli Martinez
Anjulli Martinez
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Mexico

Anjulli is a hardworker and proactive women.

Picture of Ashley Chancellor

Ashley Chancellor

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
USA
Bio
Picture of Ashley Chancellor
Ashley Chancellor
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
USA

Ashley is the Environmental Affairs Manager for Sibanye-Stillwater’s East Boulder Mine and the President of Women in Mining USA. Ashley is an experienced environmental and process engineering professional with 15 years of demonstrated history of working in the mining & mineral extraction industry. Ashley has been an active member of Women in Mining (WIM) USA since 2015 and is the co-founder of WIM Montana. In 2022, she was elected President of WIM USA after serving as both WIM USA Treasurer and National Representative. She has a passion for promoting STEM Education, the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and communicating issues that are of strategic importance to women and the mining industry.

Picture of Ayelen Romero

Ayelen Romero

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Argentina
Bio
Picture of Ayelen Romero
Ayelen Romero
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Argentina

Ayelen Romero is 24 years old, she currently resides in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. She is very happy to be part of the project and also to be able to contribute to society from her place.

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Epp Kuslap

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Sweden
Bio
Picture of Epp Kuslap
Epp Kuslap
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Sweden

Epp is a mining engineer from Estonia working in Northern Sweden. She wants to contribute to find ways to help the mining industry to be more sustainable and transparent.

Picture of Honey Judy Mthembu

Honey Judy Mthembu

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
South Africa
Bio
Picture of Honey Judy Mthembu
Honey Judy Mthembu
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
South Africa

She is a founder and Managing Director of Prestige Leaders Consulting. She is a qualified Facilitator, Assessor and Moderator. She is a transformational speaker, Life and Business Coach.

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Laju Jeremi

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Nigeria
Bio
Picture of Laju Jeremi
Laju Jeremi
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Nigeria

Laju works as a mine manager at Metalex Commodities, where she is in charge of maintaining sustainable practices and managing day-to-day operations. She also designs ESG policies in compliance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Laju’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond her professional life, as she was awarded an FSR scholarship to study SDG 7 regulations.

Picture of Lara Sims

Lara Sims

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
USA
Bio
Picture of Lara Sims
Lara Sims
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
USA

Ms. Sims is a visionary leader with 25+ years’ progressive experience managing health and safety strategies for large-scale mining operations across the US. She is devoted to preparing leaders, training teams, mitigating risk, solving problems, and preventing injury and loss, all with a Zero Harm philosophy. Ms. Sims started her career in mining as a summer student and, over the past 28 years, has been focused on growing into well-respected health and safety professional. As a full-time equipment operator, Ms. Sims was selected and made high-impact contributions that led to successfully obtaining ISO14001 & OHSAS18001 certifications. She created a comprehensive resource to systemize and organize training specialties and implemented a system to ensure that staff certifications were kept up to date. She has led multiple mine rescue teams, health and safety teams, and summer intern programs throughout her career. Ms. Sims has recently successfully owned and operated Sims 360 Health and Safety Solutions.

Picture of Michelle van der Merwe

Michelle van der Merwe

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Editor & Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
South Africa
Bio
Picture of Michelle van der Merwe
Michelle van der Merwe
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Editor & Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
South Africa

Michelle van der Merwe, Editor, South Africa.
Michelle van der Merwe is passionate about accessibility in the earth sciences and mining industry. She is currently completing an MSc in Applied Geology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Michelle is also an academic editing professional and does freelance editing and copy-editing for an international company. Her technical skills contribute to the excellent content produced by IWiM.

Picture of Norma Siki

Norma Siki

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Papua New Guinea
Bio
Picture of Norma Siki
Norma Siki
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Researcher
Papua New Guinea

She is a geologist working as a Senior Mine Geologist at the Porgera gold mine in my home country, Papua New Guinea. Having at least worked around a mine for over 10year, She is keen on helping younger professionals find their footing in the mining industry and enjoy advocating for female inclusion at the workplace. A recent highlight for her was completing and being certified with the Economic Leadership for Mining and Exploration Economics from the online BRIMM Mining Education through the WiM scholarship in 2021-2022.
She loves to read, learn, travel and connect with people.

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Sally Strohmayr

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Research Lead
Australia
Bio
Picture of Sally Strohmayr
Sally Strohmayr
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Inclusive Workplace Design Research Lead
Australia

Sally Strohmayr was born and raised in the mining town of Mount Isa in the Australian outback. She graduated with an honours degree in Applied Science (Environmental Studies) from James Cook University and her first job in the mining industry was as a botanist, mapping vegetation and overseeing rehabilitation. She has over 20 years’ experience in environmental support, including monitoring, impact assessments and policy and regulatory compliance for government and the mining industry. In her most recent role, as Director of Petroleum Operations, she led a team responsible for establishing a new environmental regulatory regime for unconventional shale gas, winning an award for sustainability in the utilities sector. In her management roles, Sally enjoys promoting professional development and making a difference to people’s careers and well-being.

Sally has worked in politically controversial areas such as uranium and fracking and has communicated and engaged with a wide range of stakeholders. As part of her regulatory career, she actively promoted the application of critical controls management and process safety to manage high-risk environmental hazards in the on shore mining and petroleum sectors.

As a mother of three daughters, she is passionate about maximising the social benefits of mining and increasing gender diversity to close the gender gap. She is currently on leave to help her husband and family relocate to Peru for work.

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Zaiboonisha Rahman

Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Research Contributor
South Africa
Bio
Picture of Zaiboonisha Rahman
Zaiboonisha Rahman
Inclusive Workplace Design Project
Research Contributor
South Africa

Zaiboonisha is an entrepreneur in mining and is the founder and CEO of a dynamic mining company focused on turnkey solutions over mining projects in precious metals and ore commodities.

Zaiboonisha holds a BA Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Her cause for mining and knowledge of valuable resources in South Africa has fueled her passion as a Woman in Mining to create opportunities in local employment and ensure skills are sufficiently transferred to disadvantaged individuals for continuity and independency.

Zaiboonisha is a Board Member of WIMBIZ – Women in Mining Business South Africa, an organisation aimed at the empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs within the mining industry.

If you’d like to learn more about our project, write us.