Small changes, big impact: Enhancing gender diversity and inclusion in mineral exploration
Webinar
Overview
In recent years the mineral industry has highlighted the need to address a lack of gender diversity and inclusion. From launching training modules on workplace conduct, publishing reports on the business case for gender diversity, to the innovative development of women specific safety gear, the sector has launched a collective shift towards creating a diverse and inclusive industry. While these initiatives are both necessary and impactful, they are often resource intensive and best suited to large companies with significant resources. Thus, a key concern remains unaddressed: how can juniors navigate the growing need for gender diversity and inclusion while balancing budget constraints and limited resources?
This webinar seeks to answer this question by unpacking the ways in which diversity and inclusion targets can be met via holistic integration into business models, and innovative thinking. Attendees will hear from industry experts on how their organizations have struggled and succeeded at addressing key barriers to gender diversity and inclusion at the junior level. The presentation will conclude with a presentation on PDAC’s upcoming e3 Plus Gender Diversity and Inclusion guidance chapter, highlighting how the guidance can assist juniors in establishing a gender diverse and inclusive workplace, workforce, and work culture.
*This information is current to June 6, 2019. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
Presenter
BILL MCGUINTY
President, OTD Exploration Services Inc.
Bill McGuinty graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B.Sc. (hons.) degree in geology. He has worked in Canada and internationally for Canadian stock exchange listed junior mineral exploration companies since 1981, holding progressive positions as project geologist, exploration manager and country manager. He has served as Vice-President Exploration in South and Central America with Intrepid Mines Ltd. until its takeover in 2008 and in Canada with Queenston Mining Inc. until its acquisition by Osisko Mining Corporation in 2012.
He is currently Vice President Exploration with Eastmain Resources Inc. with principal exploration activities in the James Bay region of Quebec. He is also president of OTD Exploration Services, a company dedicated to supplying quality management and governance for the minerals exploration sector
His work experience spans all aspects of exploration management through to completion of feasibility studies and completion of Environmental Impact statements in Canada and Latin America including legislation management, government relations and stakeholder engagement. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish and is a registered Professional Geoscientist in the provinces of Ontario, and Quebec.
As a volunteer, Bill served as a member of the Ontario Mines Minister’s Mining Act Advisory Committee and its Land management Advisory Forum and is currently a member of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee. Bill also served as Co-chair of the Advisory Panel to Canada’s Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility Counsellor.
VALERIE PASCALE
Newmont Goldcorp
Valerie has been working in a CSR capacity in the mining industry for 11+ years. She is currently the Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Newmont Goldcorp Inc. Valerie is a graduate of International Development Studies, with a specialization in Latin America, from Guelph University in Canada. Before working with the private sector, Valerie worked with NGOs, Aboriginal organizations, community groups, and governments on a variety of development projects and programs.
Valerie’s key areas of expertise include diversity and inclusion, integrating human rights into business processes, community contributions/investment programs, sustainability in the supply chain, stakeholder engagement, grievance mechanisms, community development, and social impact management across the mining lifecycle. In her role, she developed the first CSR and Human Rights corporate policies and was on the team that developed the first corporate CSR Framework/Strategy for Goldcorp (now Newmont Goldcorp). Valerie provides support to global CSR teams, exploration teams, development projects and operations. She also focuses on building strategic partnerships with various stakeholder groups to maximize the local benefits of mining and to achieve effective and sustainable community development.
Valerie has been the Chair of the PDAC’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group since January 2018.
SHASTRI RAMNATH
Co-founder, Executive Chair, Orix Geoscience
Shastri Ramnath is a Professional Geoscientist with over 19 years of global experience within the exploration and mining industry. She started her career at Falconbridge in Winnipeg in 1999 and then moved to Sudbury to join FNX Mining in 2002. She was a key member of the exploration and resource group at FNX and part of the team that discovered the Victoria Deposit. In 2010, Shastri joined Bridgeport Ventures Inc. as President and CEO where she raised over 17 million in the capital markets before merging the company with Premier Royalty. In 2012 she co-founded and co-owns Orix Geoscience Inc., a consulting firm that partners with exploration and mining companies to provide front end geological support. The success of Orix in its inaugural 3 years resulted in Shastri being nominated for the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year for Canada and was one of 3 finalists for the Momentum Award. More recently, Shastri co-founded Exiro Minerals, a junior exploration company focused on project generation that combines technology with traditional exploration methodologies. Shastri received a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Manitoba, a M.Sc. in Exploration Geology from Rhodes University (South Africa), and an Executive MBA from Athabasca University.