I'd like to give you the human side to this brief interview! Women In Mining UK (WIM UK) do so much to support their volunteers and the wider community of women. Aymone Schendel waited around for me so we could do this recording. The minute we stopped she was hands on to pack things up in time to make it to the airport. I just want to give a sincere shout out to all the WIM UK volunteers for their commitment, kindness, and support, and especially to Aymone Schendel who is tireless and really quite irreplaceable. Women in Mining is a community of people who want the best for each other, and work endlessly to support each woman's advancement. Thank you. You can count on me as an ally too.
For myself, this was day 5 of non-stop listening, thinking, hosting, moderating, engaging and under-eating for a range of reasons. I think you can tell by the state of my face (not to mention inability to string a sentence together (sorry Lucie Goulet!)) that I was exhausted! But I stand by my words. Mining is complex, and I love a challenge, which is what keeps me invested in it.
What I didn't say is that I think positive disruption in mining means mainstreaming feminist values - greater inclusion, democracy, equity, compassion in governance and decision-making. The way I want to positively disrupt mining is to help others envisage and vivify a post-extractivist, contributory, and regenerative sector that is welcomed by local communities, leverages its expertise and connections to nature to enhance the environment, and that truly benefits nations as a whole and not just the elite. This is not just about advancing women - that is important. It's also about addressing racism, classism, patriarchy as a whole, etc. And for those who haven't studied feminism, please don't misunderstand; this is as much about benefiting any gender because empowered and equal women and queer people is good for men too. It really is about centering welfare, freedom, and unleashing the potential of each of us to be our best in a system that facilitates that.
Perhaps this is one of the hardest sectors to achieve this, but we must try.
As the Women In Mining UK (WIM UK) team head home from Investing in African Mining Indaba, I reflect back on the many conversations I had during the week. Hear from Estelle Levin-Nally CDir Dip IoD one of our #WIMUK volunteers on the newly formed policy committee, and a #WIM100, as she shares why she is a positive disrupter - this week is all about catching up and following up on those insightful conversations!
Augenija Di Bucci Mariana Granziera Lisa S. Tim Jensen Jorge Gouveia de Oliveira Adrian Schulte Steinberg
#womeninmining
#wimvoice
#wimadvocate
#wim100
#wimspire
Plant Head & Experienced Procurement Professional
4moProud of you ! Keep going and keep rising. Best of Luck for your all future endeavours. 💐👍😊