BHP reaches over 40% female representation in Chile!

Women in Mining

BHP has announced that it reached 40.4% female presence in Chile, including its Escondida, Spence, and Cerro Colorado copper operations. In 2016 BHP had 17.5% of female representation globally and it has set a milestone to achieve a gender balance of 40% by 2025.

Rag Udd has expressed: “Gender parity was a goal that many believed impossible. Today, as BHP Americas, we can proudly confirm that we have achieved 40% female representation, one year ahead of schedule. We are aware that this journey does not end here. Although gender balance is important, it is vital that we focus on creating an inclusive culture, in which everyone can contribute with their full potential”

The 40.81% of leadership positions in Chile are held by women. Moreover, BHP informs that in Escondida out of a total of 3935 direct workers, 1509 are women. 

As BHP informed achieving more than 40% female representation was no coincidence. The company has implemented disruptive policies in the industry, such as making progress in addressing gender pay gaps, incorporating labor flexibility, strengthening training and talent retention programs, and building infrastructure in operations adapted to the needs of women, among others. 

Report

Furthermore, at the end of 2023, CCM-Eleva Alliance a joint initiative between Consejo Minero De Chile A G and Fundación Chile published a report on the Workforce Study of Chilean Large-scale Mining 2023-2032, which described how the workforce of large-scale is evolving in Chile. In the present edition, the 27 mining and supplier companies provided all data regarding the industry.

According to the report “women in mining has maintained a positive evolution and has increased from 8% in 2018 to 15% in 2022, a percentage that rises to 17% if we only consider mining companies Likewise, women have made their way into decision-making positions, increasing from 13% to 17%, with a greater increase in the positions of assistant managers/superintendents, which went from 13% to 19%, and in leadership positions, which increased from 16% to 23%.” Data indicates that in terms of women’s participation in the mining industry Chile is better positioned than Peru and at the same level as the United States.

Moreover, WOMEN IN MINING CHILE (WIM Chile) has announced the alliance with Glencore, Complejo Metalúrgico Altonorte, and Compañía Minera Lomas Bayas. The agreement signed by Maritza Henriquez Vargas will help to further improve gender equity in Chilean mining.