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/
Media Contacts
Samantha Morgan
Head of Marketing
IMARC
samantha.morgan@imarcglobal.com
Peta Baldwin
PR Consultant
Cannings Purple
pbaldwin@canningspurple.com.au
+61 477 955 677