The Australian mining industry certainly has its fair share of hard jobs. Historically, these jobs were T seen as too tough for women to handle.
In 2024, more mining businesses than ever are breaking down this stereotype, proving women are just as capable of contributing to one of Australia's largest industries as men.
But many barriers to women entering and staying in the mining industry persist, with material challenges impacting their employment and retention - including work-life balance.
Despite vast changes in the way modern families operate compared to a few decades ago, much of the caregiving responsibility still falls on women's shoulders.
This means even when women actively pursue work in the mining industry, mothers in particular are in need of a degree of flexibility in their working arrangements.
Parents at Work chief executive officer Emma Walsh said it's not an easy fix for an industry largely defined by remote sites and fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) work.
"I think the mining sector has realised this and is trying to improve how it attracts and retains women, particularly after parental leave," Walsh told Australian Mining.
"We need to see that effort put into structural change around job design, so there's more ability for families to be thinking about how their caregiving responsibility factor in."
Walsh said there needs to be greater collaboration between the industry and its workforce to tackle these challenges.
"It's a great opportunity to improve, and the industry can't afford not to," she said. "I would suggest that the mining industry come together to think about how it could be more family-friendly."
With a skills shortage becoming a pervasive issue facing the mining sector, operators need to create more balanced workplaces that attract both men and women.
One organisation committed to bridging the gap is FORACO Australia.
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Esta historia es de la edición July 2024 de Australian Mining.
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SETTING HIGH VENTILATION STANDARDS
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THE BENCHMARK FOR HYDRAULIC OIL CLEANLINESS
AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH DONALDSON TO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES LINKED TO HYDRAULIC OIL CLEANLINESS AND THE METHODS MINING COMPANIES HAVE EMBRACED TO OVERCOME THEM.
START WITH THE END IN MIND
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A FUTURE BUILT ON EQUALITY
GENDER DIVERSITY HAS BECOME AN ESSENTIAL FOCUS FOR AUSTRALIA'S MINING INDUSTRY, WITH ONE BUSINESS TAKING ITS COMMITMENT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
AUSTRALIA'S 'COAL CAPITAL'
AUSTRALIAN MINING LOOKS AT SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN COAL MINES IN THE BOWEN BASIN REGION.
NEVER NEVER GIVING UP
AUSTRALIAN MINING SPOKE WITH SPARTAN RESOURCES CEO SIMON LAWSON ABOUT HOW HE REBUILT THE COMPANY FROM THE GROUND UP.
BRINGING WORLDWIDE HOME
GLOBAL MINING COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST STRATA WORLDWIDE HAS ITS EYE ON MAKING THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR SAFER.
DESTINATION DIGITAL
AUSTRALIAN MINING SAT DOWN WITH ACCENTURE TO LEARN HOW COMPANIES CAN SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE AN EVOLVING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE.
A REHABILITATION SUCCESS STORY
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DENDRA AND THE JELLINBAH COAL MINE HAS LED TO THE CREATION OF FOUNDATIONAL REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGIES AND METHODOLOGIES.
A SOLUTION IN SIGHT
KAL TIRE EXPLAINS HOW TECHNOLOGY, AUTOMATION AND A TEAM OF EXPERTS CAN ENHANCE TYRE INSPECTIONS TO DELIVER A NEW LEVEL OF SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND FLEET PRODUCTIVITY.