Professionals from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile gathered at the SMI-ICE-Chile headquarters to train in skills and tools that support them in their professional progress and in assuming leadership positions.
In Chile, female participation in mining has steadily increased in recent years, reaching almost 15%. However, only 6.8% of this figure holds decision-making positions.
SMI-ICE-Chile, the International Centre of Excellence of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, has taken on the challenge of addressing this gender gap, which is common throughout Latin America. As a first step toward promoting diversity and gender equity, they have implemented the “Leadership Program for Women in the Mining Industry”.
This initiative received support from the University of Queensland and the Australian Embassy in Chile, along with collaboration from the Council on Australia-Latin America Relations (COALAR).
Distinguished experts from the University of Queensland and SMI-ICE-Chile, such as leadership and organizational improvement specialist Susan Johnston, business school academic Richard O’Quinn, and neuroscience expert Fiona Fraser, led this training. The program covered topics such as excellence in leadership, barriers faced by women in leadership, empowerment of women at executive and managerial levels, effective communication, and conflict resolution.
Doug Aitken, CEO of SMI-ICE-Chile, explains that the mining sector faces significant opportunities and challenges: “Rapid transformation due to increased demand for critical minerals, complex operational contexts, social expectations, environmental pressures, and the challenges posed by new technologies.
“To manage and thrive in such a dynamic and challenging environment”, Doug Aitken asserts, “we need leaders capable of making innovative decisions, with effective and courageous leadership that promotes greater diversity and inclusion”. He emphasizes the importance of placing more women in leadership positions to maintain high industry standards. Despite progress, there are still significant gaps for women, particularly at the executive and board levels. SMI-ICE-Chile is working to change this, and this program represents a crucial first step. They aim to expand it across Chile and the continent, collaborating with industry partners to create a long-term impact in all areas of the sector.
Professionals in executive and operational roles from mining companies such as Vale (Brazil), Cerrejón (Colombia), Capstone Copper (Chile), RHI Magnesita (Brazil), Drum Major, and SRR Mining (Argentina), and Minera Cerro Verde (Peru) completed this training.
Fernanda Solis, a senior engineer in the Metallurgy and Processes department at Capstone Copper, describes the four days of training as “an incredible learning journey to become a better leader and inspire my team”.
She adds: “It was a privilege to engage with professionals from the entire region and learn from experts at the University of Queensland and SMI-ICE-Chile. The dynamic methodology, combining theory with case analysis, proved valuable in addressing organizational changes and transformations, which we frequently encounter. We gained tools to navigate these challenges, bringing out the best in each team member. Additionally, we learned how to handle conflicts actively and contribute to solutions rather than avoiding them.
“This program also prompted us to focus on our professional development, projecting ourselves three to five years ahead. We reflected on where we want to be, what we want to achieve, and our personal strengths and challenges”.
Bárbara Joncew Schmitz, from RHI Magnesita, asserts that she completes this training program feeling much more empowered and inspired than she initially imagined. She now has the goal of reflecting on and structuring her purpose, along with a plan to achieve it. Importantly, she aims to overcome the inner voice that sometimes questions her capabilities.
She was particularly impressed by Susan Johnston’s session on unconscious biases and how to manage them. Additionally, the impact of her presentation skills training stood out. During a role-playing exercise, she had to present a mine improvement plan to the board of directors—a significant challenge. Fiona Fraser’s insights on victim versus protagonist mindset and effective communication also left a lasting impression. Fraser’s impactful phrases included: “Don’t fill the silence” and “The greatest gift you can give anyone is to listen.”
Beyond networking across South America, this transformative experience has empowered each participant. Bárbara hopes, with support from Women in Mining Brasil, to bring this course to her own country.
Lía Polo, a mining engineer at Cerrejón in Colombia, appreciates the company’s decision to support her participation in the program. She sees it as an opportunity to enhance leadership skills in both operations and business, inspiring not only other women but also her male colleagues. Lía’s key takeaway: “negative responses should not lead to frustration but rather serve as opportunities for growth”.
Milena Tuirán, another mining engineer from Cerrejón, found the sessions on conflict resolution, assertive communication, and committed leadership impactful. She emphasizes that a good leader is always called to create and inspire their teams.
María del Rosario Barrios, a public relations supervisor at Minera Cerro Verde in Peru, describes the course as exceeding her expectations: “I return with valuable lessons and the task of designing my own leadership plan, a deep personal analysis to determine my limits and aspirations… and definitely, the sky is the limit”.
Also participated Alejandra Wood Huidobro, director at Codelco with extensive experience in mining and executive roles. She encouraged attendees to push beyond existing barriers and engage in difficult conversations. “The industry probably hasn’t changed that much, but don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations,” she said.
Her vision for effective leadership includes maintaining an open mind, recognizing vulnerabilities in the workplace, managing time and energy, and setting boundaries. She emphasized that it’s unnecessary to excel in everything. “From discomfort, it is very difficult to breathe. And with scared teams, creativity dies,” he pointed out.
