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BHP Billiton congratulates women in resources

World dzԹ,


Increasingly diverse workforces are helping resource companies achieve superior performance, safety and stable production, according to BHP BillitondzԹs Human Resource President, Mike Fraser.

Fraser delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Women in Resources Awards (WIRNA) in Brisbane on 2 September, with the national awards program building on the state-based Resources Council awards, celebrating the achievements of women, men and companies who make outstanding contributions to the industry.

BHP Billiton boasted four finalists at the Awards, with Laura Tyler, Asset President, Cannington winning the dzԹExceptional Woman in Australian Resources.dzԹ

Diversity and inclusion

Fraser spoke about the important business benefit that comes from diversity and inclusion: dzԹDiversity and inclusion make good business sense. We have found that where our workplaces are more inclusive and collaborative, we achieve superior performance results. Safety results are better, production is more stable, employee engagement is higher and turnover is lower.dzԹ

Fraser stressed that diversity was not just about gender, but includes different aspects of individual uniqueness including thought, experience, age, disability, nationality, ethnicity, orientation, gender and perspective.

Gender imbalance

He added that BHP Billiton has implemented a number of diversity initiatives to help drive performance: dzԹWe are addressing the historical gender imbalance we have seen in our industry by having a particular emphasis on increasing female representation in key operational roles.

dzԹFor example, in Queensland, our Daunia and Caval Ridge operations are proving that with a strong commitment, the gender diversity gap in the resources industry can be narrowed.

dzԹFrom the start of development of these projects seven years ago, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) committed to create a diverse workforce at Daunia and Caval Ridge with at least 30% female and 5% Indigenous employees.

dzԹThe operations offered training for female employees new to the industry and interested in taking on more responsibility. We are now on track to achieve this goal by 2015 with female employees now making up 25% at Daunia and 20% at Caval Ridge.dzԹ

BHP Billiton finalists

Fraser also congratulated the finalists and winners of the WIRNA Awards and said that BHP Billiton was very pleased to have four finalists nominated:

  • Lucas Dow, Asset President, BMA for the dzԹExcellence in Diversity Programs and PerformancedzԹ category
  • Laura Tyler, Asset President, Cannington for dzԹExceptional Woman in Australian ResourcesdzԹ
  • Jo Barron-Perry, Senior Mining Engineer, Olympic Dam for dzԹGender Diversity Champion in Australian ResourcesdzԹ category
  • Emma Stevenson, Electrical Instrument Technician, Nickel West for dzԹOutstanding Australian Tradeswoman/ Operator/ Technician category.

dzԹI would like to congratulate all the finalists, including the BHP Billiton finalists and winner Laura Tyler from Cannington. Participation in these awards will go a long way to raising awareness about the important role that diversity plays in our business and the resources sector generally,dzԹ Fraser concluded.


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: /business-news/02092014/bhp-billiton-on-diversity-in-resources-1372/

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