The Gold Industry Group (GIG)’s popular annual Women in Gold Great Diversity Debate will not only be held in Perth in November, but will travel to Sydney and Melbourne, with 12 speakers taking to the stage in engaging and thought-provoking discussions.
The GIG’s inaugural event in 2016 attracted more than 300 gold industry professionals and has since become one of the largest and most influential diversity events on the mining industry calendar.
Following the debate’s ongoing success, it was announced late 2018 the event would go national in 2019.
An esteemed line up of different speakers at each location, will see them each tackle the topic ‘a diversity debate that begins and ends with gender is doomed to fail’, led by GIG Vice Chair and Gold Fields VP Legal and Compliance Kelly Carter.
”Having successfully explored topics around ‘fixing women’ and gender equity targets over the first two debates, I am excited to expand the focus of this year’s events to consider the broader challenges around diversity. This brings some fascinating points of view to light, and I’m looking forward to hearing what each of our panels brings to this topic,” said Ms Carter.
Ahead of speaking in Melbourne on Friday 15 November, Newcrest Mining Principal Diversity and Inclusion Giulia Savio is on the opposition.
“The way we have conversations about something is so important as it is directly linked to how we think about something. Therefore, in order to shift the way we think we need to change the way we talk about it - that is why the Gold Industry Group’s Women in Gold: Great Diversity Debate series is so valuable in progressing our industry,” she said.
Set to speak in Perth on Friday 8 November, Newmont Goldcorp Australia Tax Director Matt Popham also joins the opposition.
“The key to getting the best diversity outcomes is inclusion. However, inclusion is about much more than diversity. It is a mindset that when practised well, benefits all those within that organisation or community, not just a target ‘group’,” he said.
Preparing to speak in Sydney on Thursday 14 November, Evolution Mining Chief Operating Officer Bob Fulker will be for the proposition.
"‘I recognised the value of diversity and inclusion early on in my career. When I first started underground, 100% of the workforce was male, women did not work underground. I am proud to say our industry has continued to change and make progress, in my role I work with our leaders to grow an inclusive and diverse workplace where every employee is treated fairly, respected and can contribute to their full potential’," he said.
2019 panellists include:
Perth
Raleigh Finlayson, Managing Director, Saracen Mineral Holdings; Stacey Marinkovich, Head Coach, West Coast Fever; Matthew Popham, Tax Director, Newmont Goldcorp Australia; and Tashana Jones, Student, Curtin University and President, Women in Mining and Resources Curtin.
Sydney
Bob Fulker, Chief Operating Officer, Evolution Mining; Lyndsay Potts, Cadia Valley Manager - Mining, Newcrest Mining; Janie Simpson, Managing Director, ABC Bullion; and Kerry Stevenson, Managing Director, Symposium.
Melbourne
Stuart Jenner, General Manager - Capability and Culture, Gold Road Resources; Giulia Savio, Principal - Diversity and Inclusion, Newcrest Mining; Felicia Binks, Environment and Community Manager, Kirkland Lake Gold; and Shae Russell, Chief Editor, Agora Financial Australia.
Diversity within Australia’s mining sector is not a new topic, with many companies focused on creating or adapting policies to attract and retain female workers across roles from onsite through to executive management. However, diversity doesn’t end here. A truly varied workforce includes employees of different age, ethnicity, ability, and experience.
Australia’s gold industry has its challenges but is leading the charge in creating an equal workforce for all. Many GIG member companies work closely with local students to drive recruitment from a grassroots level; sponsor scholarships and graduate awards; have employment programs for trainees and apprentices; and recruit and develop people from neighbouring indigenous communities in which they operate, creating employment opportunities for all and better businesses.
Richard Hayes, GIG Chairman and Perth Mint CEO; Lawrie Conway, Evolution Mining Finance Director and CFO; and Peta Baldwin, Cannings Purple Director, will lead each event as the Master of Ceremonies respectively.
The Gold Industry Group’s Women in Gold National Tour is free for GIG Members and Special Guests to attend. Non-Member tickets will be refunded for those who join GIG before the end of 2019.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO ATTEND PERTH, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE DEBATES.
The 2019 Women in Gold National Tour has been made possible, thanks to the support of member gold sponsors Gold Fields, Evolution Mining, Newcrest Mining and supporting sponsors The Perth Mint, Newmont Goldcorp Australia, ABC Refinery, Saracen Mineral Holdings, Kirkland Lake Gold, Ramelius Resources, Independence Group, Swick Mining Services, AngloGold Ashanti Australia, Regis Resources, Northern Star Resources and Cannings Purple.