GEMCO wins major gender diversity award

Our GEMCO operation’s Rehabilitation Team has won a major award for its gender diversity program at the 2019 Women in Resources National Awards.

The team of predominantly Indigenous employees from remote Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory was recognised with the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance award at a gala ceremony at Parliament House in New South Wales.

A values-based approach to hiring introduced in 2014 has resulted in a significant increase in female Rehabilitation Team members, who have gone on to acquire new skills, confidence and independence. Some have moved on to other roles at South32 or taken up leadership positions in their broader community.

GEMCO Vice President Operations Jo-Anne Scarini said the team’s gender diversity program was inspirational for the Groote Eylandt community and its implications reached beyond the workplace.

“This award recognises the efforts that our Indigenous and non-Indigenous team members have made to expand diversity in our workforce,” Ms Scarini said.

South32’s operations were well represented at the ceremony with the following finalists from GEMCO, TEMCO and Cannington:

• Fatemeh Saeidi, GEMCO - Exceptional Woman in Resources 
• Shelley Hunter, TEMCO - Exceptional Woman in Resources
• Annette Au, GEMCO - Exceptional Young Woman in Resources
• Kayla Williams, TEMCO - Outstanding Trade, Operator or Technician
• Inclusive Culture Working group, Cannington - Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance
• Rob Jackson, Cannington - Gender Diversity Champion
• Adrian Third, GEMCO – Gender Diversity Champion
• GEMCO Rehabilitation Team – Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance

The Women in Resources National Awards celebrate the contribution women make to the resources industry and their efforts to improve gender diversity and inclusiveness in mining.