NSW Minerals Council’s “Women in Mining: A snapshot” Survey results

New survey: NSW women in mining want more women to forge a career in resources sector

March 05, 2014

A new survey has found that 93% of women working in NSW mining would actively encourage more women to take up a career in the industry, including in roles operating of heavy vehicles and machinery. The NSW Minerals Council’s Women in Mining: A snapshot, the first survey of its kind conducted within the state’s mining industry, also found that the largest proportion of women in mining, over 30%, were employed as machinery operators or drivers.“The survey found that only 9% of our full-time workforce is female and that women comprise less than 1% of our people at the Board or Executive Management level. Clearly much needs to be done to attract and retain women ïnto mining and provide career development and senior leadership opportunities,” NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said.

“To get a better understanding of ways to achieve this, the NSW Minerals Council surveyed 170 of our current and past female employees about issues including working conditions, career opportunities, balancing work and raising a family, and the barriers may face when entering the NSW mining industry.”

“The responses showed women in NSW mining are passionate about where they work and what they do, from operators and administrators through to trades and engineers, including some that are emerging in important leadership roles,” he said.

The survey sought suggestions from respondents on a range of proactive measures to increase the number of women in mining. Some of these measures are already being implemented by the NSW Minerals Council and its member companies.

For example, 90% of the companies surveyed as part of the study offer flexible working arrangements such as job-sharing or part-time work. Over 72% of companies surveyed offer paid parental leave schemes in addition to government schemes.  ‘Women in mining’ networking and support groups are also being established within companies and at individual mines sites for networking and mentoring.

The NSW Minerals Council recently combined its growing WIMIN_NSW network with AusIMM’s WIMnet to form WIMnet NSW.  The group will host networking events around NSW bringing women, and men, together who work in or for the industry.

“Another example is our annual NSW Women in Mining Awards that acknowledge the achievements of women in mining and the work of mining companies in encouraging and retaining female participation,” Mr Galilee said.

A copy of the report can be found here.

Watch this YouTube video to hear from women explaining their experiences in the industry.

Contact: Chris Rath – crath@nswmining.com.au – 0409758734 – 02 9274 141