WAIC 2017 The Role of Women in the Mining & Petroleum Industry successes & challenges

2/08/2017 WAIC 2017 The Role of Women in the Mining & Petroleum Industry successes & challenges Dr Cynthia B. Boye UMaT, Tarkwa

In our pursuit for precious metals and the black gold how do we treat our land and the environment in general? Land or Earth is one of the important natural elements known among others like water, air etc. Land refers to the solid surface of the Earth that is not permanently covered by water. Land is a free gift from God and it is the source of wealth- Au, Bauxite, diamond, oil and gas. Most mining and petroleum concessions are on land. Our rich mineral deposits come from mother Earth! Why is the Earth/land referred to as a Mother? Mothers are treated with love, dignity, affection and respect!

The Land will be pass on to generations yet unborn! Sustainability should be a hallmark of our mining operations! Registered large scale as well as small scale industries should be mindful of the effects of the extractive industry on the environment! In Our Quest For Professional Development & Knowledge Sharing The Contribution of Women in the Mining and Petroleum industry cannot be over emphasised

According to the United Nations, 52% of the world s population of 7 billion are women. Their involvement, at all levels, is essential to improve the quality of life as well as that of their families and communities. However, there is Low involvement of female in public governance and active politics (In Ghana only 10% of Parliamentarians are females) i.e. 29/275 Currently only 11% of senior leadership positions in the oil and gas industry in the world are filled by women. In the United States, for example, just 5% of Fortune 500 CEO s are women and only 17% of corporate board seats and 25% of management positions are held by women, even though women make up nearly half the workforce.

A Research conducted by the Chamber of Mines shows that women comprise 6.9% of the whole mining industry. The representation of women in the Mining and petroleum sectors remain comparatively insignificant, compared with their counterparts. Why is the extractive industry not attractive to female workforce? Are the world s female population lazy? The Answer is NO!!

Viola s brother smuggled her- disguised as a male- to his Cobalt Silver mine in Canada (1920s) and there she disproved their myth. Past Perceptions about Women Women perceived the cause of the fall of mankind Meant for the Kitchen & Care giving jobs Home maker NOT secular workers Bad luck in the Mining Industry A woman by name Viola MacMillan decided to confront her potential bad luck as men thought women s presence would disrupt their luck in the mines.

Traditionally, the industry has sourced its labour from a predominantly male, rural workforce. Prior to the 1990s, South African women were prohibited or otherwise constrained by legislation from being employed in mining activities underground Current mining trends indicate the move towards mechanisation, which presents an opportunity for women in the industry. In addition, the value chain of the industry includes various stages, from exploration and product handling to mineral beneficiation.

The various stages of the industrial chain can be handled effectively by female staff. exploration and product handling to mineral beneficiation For instance, availability of modern equipment such as Total stations, GNSS receivers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) for spatial data capture makes it easier to carry out mine planning and design (speed and time). The use of GPS/GNSS integrated with GIS enables real time monitoring of fleet. Implementation of safety measures in the operations of the industry create a congenial environment for female workforce.

Fig 1: Determination of Volume of stock pile by the UAV/Drone and Pix4D software

Although women representation is limited in the industry some significant successes have been chalked locally and in the international front: Marie-José Nadeau, Chair of the World Energy Council is the first woman appointed on the World Energy Council Board; Susanna Brenert is Quarry Mine Human Resource manager. Wilhemina was the first female at her mine to receive her Mine Manager s certificate back in 2010. Dr Grace Ofori Sarpong, an associate professor in Mineral Engineering @UMaT, Tarkwa,Ghana is one of the only female professors in the sub-region

The reasons for the global persistence of gender inequality in the workplace are numerous: Educational disparities less females students take Science; technology, Engineering and Mathematic Cultural norms Mining is the preserve of men Women consistently taking on the double burden of balancing work and domestic responsibilities and Lack of professional role models for young women might be a factor discouraging more women from participating in these technical fields.

Skilled Mining Jobs require Education in Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics Scientific Women with scientific university degrees are in high demand. Mining jobs are available for women qualified in geology, geo-science, surveying, engineering, chemical engineering, social science, environment management and mechanical engineering, etc. Business Naturally, mining is big business. This opens the door for women with a business degree, especially in management, accounting, project management, human resources and occupational health and safety. Information Technology As the mining industry evolves, so must its supporting information technology (IT) and software. Women can find work in IT areas including database management, systems engineering, helpdesk, systems support and software programming.

Skilled Mining Jobs require Education in Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics Trade-based Electricians, boilermakers, carpenters and welders are all in demand. There are just as many opportunities for women trades as men. Hard-Hat It s is becoming more common to see women in hard-hat roles as drillers, truck drivers, dump truck operators or mobile plant operators (i.e. driving front-end loaders, bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, graders, scrapers, and forklift trucks). Although you don t need tertiary qualifications, you will need appropriate Training and Development. Other Qualified Think outside the box. There are plenty of jobs in mining that require people who are qualified in non-mining fields. Good examples include qualified support staff who work on-site, including fitness instructors and personal trainers, chefs, psychologists and medical staff.

Confront your potential challenges Be disciplined and focus on your dream Expand your horizon by acquiring more knowledge Partners with others in development Like Viola MacMillan, separate yourself from the crowd, create an individual identity, and learn to support yourself.

According to human resource manager, Susanna Brenert, Women have a different and unique way of problem-solving that encompasses a practical approach and a consideration of all parties involved. All efforts should be made to increase the participation of women, thereby allowing them the opportunity for career growth and development in the mining industry

Confront your potential challenges Be disciplined and focus on your dream Expand your horizon by acquiring more knowledge Partners with others in development Like Viola MacMillan, separate yourself from the crowd, create an individual identity, and learn to support yourself.

Thank you for your Attention!!