Message from the CEO

It all starts with respect. 

As the peak body representing resources professionals, AusIMM is committed to addressing  bullying, harassment, disrespectful and harmful behaviour across our industry.

AusIMM’s recent ‘Women in Mining’ survey highlights the deep and systemic challenges facing our industry, with results finding:

• 67% of female respondents say sexual harassment is common in the industry - almost double the proportion of male respondents; and
• 70% of female respondents say bullying is common in the industry.

These findings are reinforced by company inquiries and media reporting, including an upcoming 60 Minutes program due to air this Sunday.

AusIMM is committed to ensuring the resources industry is safe, inclusive and respectful for all.

AusIMM has been leading the discussion about women’s experiences in the sector through our Women in Mining Survey (now in its fourth year), professional networks, and initiatives such as our International Women’s Day Event Series.

At our International Women’s Day Brisbane event this Monday, AusIMM will discuss the actions we are taking to support women and how, as an organisation with 13,000 members, we must collectively affect positive change.

This change demands that, as a sector and professional community, we provide:

• Ethical standards: Through our Code of Ethics and professional standards, we will articulate a clear duty for our members to take action in response to unsafe, disrespectful or harmful behaviour in the industry.
• Leadership: We will leverage our role in providing professional development and education to address harmful behaviour head on, including through an updated Diversity and Inclusion Course.
• Advocacy: We will use our platform to elevate the voices, stories and experiences of underrepresented groups across the sector, including through our communications, research, advocacy and events.

This week AusIMM Board Director Katrina Crook took on the role of Chair of our Council for Diversity and Inclusion. The Council is a critical part of our organisation, providing strategic advice and guiding the work we do to create a safe and inclusive industry.

Katrina and I, on behalf of AusIMM’s Board and executive team, are resolute in our view that more needs to be done to engage and advance all underrepresented people in our industry.

While the issues are raw, confronting and challenging to fix, AusIMM can play a critical role in mobilising and equipping our members to actively prevent harmful and discriminatory behaviour where they see it. That is the power of a professional community such as ours.

We will share more with you in the months ahead.

Kind regards,

Stephen Durkin FAusIMM
AusIMM CEO