The Resources Awards for Women has taken to the stage in Queensland to celebrate the contribution of women to the state’s mining industry.
The event was hosted on International Women’s Day by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ).
Three engineers, a dragline operator and a workplace support manager were among the award recipients at the 1200-guest sold-out event.
BHP president Australia Geraldine Slattery gave the keynote address, reflecting on her journey though the resources sector.
“Being successful meant forging constructive relationships with the community, with government and regulators, and the myriad of contractors and partners,” she said.
“It takes a village to do what we do.”
Slattery emphasised gender representation’s changing tide in the mining industry, citing BHP’s 36 per cent female workforce. Just this month BHP became the first mining company in Chile to surpass 40 per cent female representation.
“Of course, these achievements are no coincidence. It’s taken disruptive policies and sustained investment,” she said.
“Investing in entry and career pathways, investing in training, in development and career progression, in culture and facilities.
“And the results speak for themselves – more diverse teams are safer and more productive.”
Slattery left the audience with a message to continue supporting each other and the industry.
“Let’s continue investing in ourselves and each other. And let’s double down. In doing so, we can and will accelerate progress,” she said.
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