Abstract
Proposed Presenters:
Jackie Scales, Director, Inclusion and Diversity, Teck Resources Ltd.
Leslie Woolcott, Director, Inclusion & Career Development, Mining Industry Human Resources Council
Objectives:
- To enable participants to imagine equitable, inclusive and diverse mining operations.
- To highlight barriers to envisioning and realizing these imagined spaces.
- To discuss opportunities for the way forward.
Mining operations in Canada are recognized as traditionally male-dominated workplaces owing to the underrepresentation of diverse groups within the industry’s workforce, leadership, supply chain and boards of Directors. In late 2020, the Mining Association of Canada committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the sector through a number of measures, including increasing representation among marginalized groups, such as women, youth, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, newcomers, persons with disabilities and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities. Using creative techniques, the presenters will enable participants to imagine mining operations that are equitable, inclusive and safe and that benefit from the diversity of thought, perspectives and experiences available in a representative mining workplace. Drawing on this exercise, the barriers to envisioning and realising mining EDI utopias will be highlighted. This will include an exploration of bias, prejudice and the limitations of our individual and collective experiences. Finally, the presenters will discuss opportunities for achieving the objectives set out in the MAC statement and for realizing a (re)imagined mining workplace. This will include an exploration of relevant research, effective corporate strategies, sector supporting resources, helpful policy mechanisms and innovative, adaptable practices. The presentation will end with some provocative questions about industry needs moving forward, collaboration and imagined spaces integrating EDI and beyond.