The mining industry has the reputation of being "dirty, blokey." It is incumbent on the industry to collaborate better with educational entities and to "better profile and market the opportunities for women covering a full suite of professional roles," says Val Madsen, HR general manager at mining company, St. Barbara, and chair of the Minerals Council of Australia's gender diversity working group.
"The industry needs to form stronger ties with schools, [technical and further education institutions] and universities to ensure that students are considering the industry as an attractive industry to work in," she says.
Women make up 10% of machinery operators and drivers, 4.9% of technicians and tradespeople and 7.1% of laborers. "The industry needs to demonstrate to potential employees that the mining workplace is one where diversity is valued and that women are welcome in the industry where they can enjoy a long career," Madsen says.