Session B: April 17, 2024, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. ET
Fieldwork Unleashed: Exploring the Power of Practical Experience, Inclusion, and Respect in Geoscience

Session Chair: Sheila Ballantyne, P.Geo. and Andrea Waldie, P.Geo., FGC
A moderated Q & A will follow the panel presentations.

Presentation 1: Stories and Numbers Highlighting Harassment in Mining Workplaces and Solutions Towards Safe, Inclusive and Respectful Workplaces

Speaker: Susan Lomas, P.Geo., President, Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc. and Mine Shift Foundation - SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY

Susan will share stories of her experiences in the mining industry from her 38-year career as a geologist. She started the Me Too Mining Association (MTMA) in 2018 by opening a twitter account to provide a platform for women to discuss their challenges in the mining industry. Over the past 6 years, she has listened to and grown from the experiences of men facing workplace challenges, including sexual assault and harassment, the LGBTQ+ community, and people from diverse cultures and races. MTMA evolved into the Mine Shift Foundation in 2023.

Mine Shift's DIGGER program uses allyship and bystander intervention strategies to combat workplace harassment. DIGGER provides tools for addressing bullying, racism, and other inappropriate behaviours safely. Susan will outline the DIGGER program and offer actions everyone can use to support their coworkers and themselves.

Presentation 2: Everyday Respect in Rio Tinto

Attila Pentek, Manager Rio Tinto Exploration SEE SPEAKER'S BIO	Candice Wingerter, Senior Advisor Health Safety Environment, and Security Rio Tinto Canada SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY

In 2022, Rio Tinto published the Everyday Respect Report, a comprehensive external review of its workplace culture, commissioned as part of its commitment to ensure sustained cultural change across its global operations. The review, which was carried out by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, identified disturbing findings of bullying, sexual harassment, racism and other forms of discrimination throughout the company.

Two years after releasing the initial report we asked EB&Co. to return for a Progress Review. Findings from the Progress Review have been released, finding change is happening and we’re making progress. However, there are serious challenges we must continue to address. People are still experiencing behaviours and attitudes in our company that are unacceptable and harmful. Disruptive cultural change is hard. It requires our organisation to listen and regularly check in with each other as we continue to evolve on this multi-year journey to Everyday Respect.

Candice and Attila will present on the Everyday Respect program and recent improvements that are felt all across the organization with specific focus on Rio Tinto Exploration Canada projects. 

Presentation 3: A Practical Guide to ESG for Exploration Professionals

Speaker: Valerie Pascale, CEO and Founder, Modern Core - SEE SPEAKER'S BIO

SUMMARY
This session provides a guide to effectively to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into everyday exploration work, with the goal of implementing responsible and collaborative practices in early-stage mineral development. Key topics include building strong and transparent relationships with Indigenous communities, negotiating MOUs and Exploration Agreements, navigating permitting processes, and leveraging existing ESG tools for explorers. Through field-based case studies, PGO participants will gain practical insights to design and execute responsible exploration programs and protocols.

Register online for this session or the full Symposium.