Euro Mine Expo kicks off with Women in Mining Seminar

To get more women interested in working in the mining industry, companies have to make of gender equality and diversity a central part of their organization. That was one message on the first day at this year’s Euro Mine Expo in Skellefteå, Sweden, where Women in mining, Foyen Advokatfirma and Boliden arranged a seminar on the topic ”Equal opportunities in the mining
industry”.

The seminar was part of a packed first day program of the exhibition that attracted visitors from 30 nations. The opening day also included keynote addresses from LKAB’s Lars-Eric Aaro among others as well as a full-day workshop on geotechnical experiences in the Nordic Region.

“This was a great way to kick off the exhibition, I’m sure everyone that took part of the activities was inspired,” says Euro Mine Expo project manager Jaana Tengman.

One central part of the day’s agenda was the Women in Mining seminar, where it was noted that many companies within the traditionally male dominated mining industry are now working hard to implement more equality in their organizations, to gain business advantages. One of the speakers was Malin Ringdahl Stein, business development executive at McKinsey & Company and the Swedish representative for the global network Women in mining, focusing on the attraction, retention and advancement of women in the mining and mineral industries.

“Diversity and gender equality is a question of both mindset and corporate culture,” said Ringdahl Stein. “Increasing diversity is a change project and all change is hard and requires pain. You have to be prepared for it. But in the end it comes something very good out of it.”

Boliden has been working with these questions for several years and was awarded the Swedish
industry’s equality prize for 2013.  Their goal is to have at least 20 per cent female employees by the end of 2018. To reach this goal, Boliden is working to create a culture where both men and women can develop and flourish. For example, they encourage male employees to take paternity leave and works hard to get a good mix between men and women on all levels of the company.

“We do it because it’s good for the business and for the employees,” stated Ann-Christin Thunehed, director of human resources at Boliden.  It also helps us to get the best young professionals. Working with diversity and gender equality makes them stay longer with us.”

Wednesday’s agenda will feature, among others things, and Exhibitor innovation forum and an international outlook workshop.