MMG Queensland Operations’ inaugural Women in Resources Forum has highlighted the message that a diverse workforce with balance is good for business.
The forum, held in December at MMG’s Lawn Hill mining and processing operation in the Gulf of Carpentaria, attracted 60 women and men from the mining industry and other sectors. The forum emphasised building resilience and career development in an industry where women have historically been under-represented.
Forum organiser and MMG Century Human Resources superintendent, Rebecca Stevenson, said that the experiences shared by each of the nine speakers reinforced the message that businesses do best when they have a workforce that reflects the diversity found in society.
The forum highlighted the importance of both genders working together to achieve balance.
“Men and women each bring different qualities to the workplace and research tells us that successful organisations aim for that balance,” said Ms Stevenson.
Other topics covered during the two-day Women in Resources Forum included mental health, shaping our thinking to get better outcomes in life and building resilience through adversity.
“The nine speakers¹ shared their experiences of facing their fears and overcoming challenges.
“It was empowering to see so many of the forum participants respond to the positive messages and share their personal experiences and strategies,” said Ms Stevenson.
The success of Women in Resources forum was achieved by combining the talents and skills of a group of women who do a range of mining jobs within MMG.
“We had a group of passionate females from across our sites come together to organise this dynamic and powerful event.
“I am thrilled to be getting feedback from both men and women who participated, as well as the speakers, about the practical tools they picked up during the forum that they can use in their workplaces,” said Ms Stevenson.
MMG Queensland Operations is working with the Queensland Resources Council and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) to increase female participation in the resources sector.
Erin Sweeney, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at MMG Century, is an example of the mining industry’s increasingly diverse workforce.
-Ends-
¹ Speakers at the Women in Resources Forum
1. Chandra Clements, One Legacy – Resilience and managing your career
2. Jules Brown, WIMARQ – Personal development
3. Adele Bintley, Independent Senior HR Consultant – Resilience and career development in a male-dominated industry
4. Rachel Jacob, MMG – Where I have come from
5. Karen Stoffels, MMG – Career overview
6. Martin Powley, MMG – Building resilience
7. Melissa Walls, Townsville Community Care & Acquired Brain Injury Unit – Managing mental health, FIFO and work-life balance
8. Forshaw, Burke Shire Council – The challenges of working in a man’s world
9. Anna Lewin, MMG – Professional development