In
an Australian first, the
International Mining and Resources Conference
(IMARC) is proud to announce the Indigenous Women in Mining and
Resources Australia (IWIMRA) as its First Nations
Partner. The partnership will foster stronger connections between First Nations communities and the
minerals and resources sector, as well as continue to raise the
profile of First Nations people working in the industry globally.
IMARC,
which is due to take place in Melbourne, both in-person and online from October
25-27, is delighted to be partnering with IWIMRA to promote the importance of inclusiveness of First Nation women and men in the
industry and the IMARC program.
IWIMRA was founded in 2017 to create a stronger
connection amongst Indigenous women in Australia’s Mining and Resource
sector. Through lived experiences, and the narrative of Indigenous
intersectionality, it is their priority to ensure the visibility, voice, and
quality participation across the spectrum of the mining and minerals
sector
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) takes place on the
lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nations. IMARC
wishes to acknowledge them as the traditional owners of the lands and
waterways and pay their respects to their elders, past and present, and
emerging.
As the first resources event
in Australia to have a First Nations Partner, IMARC Managing Director, Anita
Richards said that IMARC is committed to
improving Indigenous presence at the event and across broader industry.
“This partnership enhances our commitment to promoting equality,
diversity and inclusion across all areas of the mining and resources industry
as part of our Balance for Better Program where diversity and
inclusion are a key focus of the conference and associated events,” Anita said.
Ms Richards said that IMARC
will also highlight the impact and achievements of women in mining while also
reflecting the strides being made industry-wide to be more gender balanced and
showcase the industry-wide benefits of diversity and inclusion.
In
practical terms, the partnership between IMARC and IWIMRA will see additional
Indigenous speakers and dedicated sessions across the conference program, additional Indigenous
women delegates in attendance at the event as well as including an exciting
welcome to country at the start of the conference.
“This is
just the first of what we see as many opportunities to partner with IWIMRA as
our values and objectives are very much aligned,” Ms Richards said.
IWIMRA Co-Founder and CEO, Florence
Drummond said that the partnership with IMARC is a great fit, as IWIMRA aspires to lead with clarity and purpose and
to work with industry to build solutions-driven, cross-culture influential
relationships, that will continue to contribute towards our sustainable future.
“We
are so excited to be formalising this partnership with IMARC and it’s only now
that we are starting to recognise how truly impactful it will be,” Ms Drummond
said.
“There are
the obvious benefits of participating at IMARC, such as IWIMRA having a
physical presence with an exhibition booth, hosting panel sessions and speaking as part of
the conference,
however there is so much more to be gained beyond the transaction.
“This
partnership, which has been progressing over the past three years, is truly
transformational for IWIMRA. It means that we have action and commitment
from a major global resources conference and that we have recognition,
reconciliation and a real seat at the table,” she said.
IWIMRA
will be bringing 30 women from mining operations across Australia to IMARC to
provide them with the kind of global exposure to the mining industry that will
enable them to return to their own sites and continue to influence meaningful
changes.
“From
our history of compounded disadvantage and continued systemic challenges, it is
understandable that many of our people are fatigued and frustrated at yet
another mechanism for change. However, we have worked hard to agree on what shared
value is in this context and to deliver this significant opportunity for all
stakeholders. Based on trust, we plan for our 30 delegates to be a part of the
conversation and to ask the hard questions so that they can be the spark or the
catalyst for change back in their home communities. It is our priority to
ensure this is a safe space for this,” Ms Drummond said.
IWIMRA
recognises that IMARC has long been a supporter of their initiatives, and said
that reaching this point, which is truly groundbreaking, is based on the trust
and relationships built with the IMARC team.
“Going
forward we can really see this partnership growing with IMARC and know that it
will influence other global
industry events to consider similar partnerships.
This is the action of meaningful engagement in this context,” Ms Drummond said.
In
keeping with IMARC’s values, IWIMRA has a strong commitment to sustainable
practices. However, Ms Drummond was keen to emphasise that the Indigenous
engagement aspect of sustainability in mining is still paramount.
“Even
in driving sustainable mining and green energy practices, investing in long
term relationships with Indigenous stakeholders will continue to be a
fundamental requirement to projects. It’s a simple process of building
relationships, and building trust, and that’s what we’ve achieved here in this
partnership with IMARC.”
Florence Drummond will further discuss
this First Nations Partnership on Day 2 of IMARC, as part of the plenary conference program, before later
interviewing the Development Partner Institute’s Executive Director, Wendy Tyrrell about Indigenous
engagement and how we can better attune with indigenous participation across
the supply chain.
The day will conclude with an all IWIMRA line up within the METS Arena for a panel discussion
on «The intersectionality of Indigenous women in the mining and
resources sector, further explore our perspective of where we fit in a
decarbonising industry”, before the AusIMM Diversity & Inclusion Networking
Reception, where all 30 women will be in attendance to meet with attendees at the
event.
Notes for Editors
The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where
global mining leaders connect with technology, finance, and the future. Now in
its 8th year, it is Australia’s largest mining event, bringing together over
8,000 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity
buyers, technical experts, innovators, and educators from over 130 countries
for three days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking. IMARC is
developed in collaboration with its founding partners the Victorian State
Government of Australia, Austmine, the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy (AusIMM) and Mines and Money.
For
more information, please visit https://imarcglobal.com/
