Innovation to STEM from more women in resources

A new venture between the Victorian Government and the resources sector is assisting science and technical savvy women to become resource industry leaders.

A new venture between the Victorian Government and the resources sector is assisting science and technical savvy women to become resource industry leaders.

While the number of women on boards within the resources sector is increasing, women with technical industry skills remain underrepresented.

The Prospects Partnership between the government and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), the sector’s peak body, focuses on building industry skills and supporting the careers women working in the resources sector who have science and technical backgrounds.

The partnership includes the annual Women on Boards Scholarship, which is aiming to boost the number of women with science and technology knowledge who are sitting on the boards of mining and resources companies.

The recipients of the inaugural Women on Boards Scholarship are:

• Sarah Callil, Director Growth and Innovation for Global Mining, Minerals and Metals at Worley
• Loretta Fallaw, Development and Approvals Manager at Donald Mineral Sands
• Tara Halliday Principal Environmental and Social Consultant at Coffey.

Research shows diverse boards result in better industry outcomes and greater sector innovation. The Victorian Government is also aiming for at least 50 per cent of government-appointed board members to be female. This will take time, but we are moving in the right direction.

The leadership opportunities for women across the resources sector is promising in Victoria.

Mining and the supporting equipment, technology and services sector accounts for over 120,000 jobs in Victoria. The industry in Victoria is diverse with large and small organisations across the supply chain, education, training and at a corporate level.

In regional areas the sector is booming. Stawell Gold Mine is returning to full employment and the state’s largest mine at Fosterville is going from strength to strength with 600+ employees working at the site near Bendigo and high-grade gold resources of over 2.7 million ounces.

Contact: Mark Farrugia

Phone: 8392-6913