Timmins now has a local chapter of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s (CIM) Women in Mining program.
As a national not-for-profit organization since 2009, Women in Mining Canada is uniquely positioned to work with and support women in mining and affiliated industries.
The Timmins chapter launched this past June, with co-chairs Hillary Laughren and Gabriella Desmarais stepping up to lead the brand-new organization.
Laughren, a member of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce and a supply chain manager with Lake Shore Gold (Pan American Silver), worked with CIM to get the new chapter started.
“We have been discussing how to support various sectors of our membership with CIM and decided we have enough women in mining in the Porcupine Camp to make some real changes,” shared Laughren.
Timmins has been the site of gold-mining operations for almost 120 years. With the increase of women in a variety of roles in the industry, Laughren said local stakeholders decided it was time to create a place to support their professional endeavours.
But Laughren believes the industry’s embrace of women into the workforce has improved from earlier years.
“I would say the barriers are not as tough to break through in the mining industry versus potentially other industries,” Laughren said. “If people want to work and are willing to put in the hours, you’re treated quite fairly, whether you’re a man or a woman.
“There are hurdles for women still, but I do think the barriers in mining are not as high as other industries.”
Laughren pointed out that there was a time, probably 50 years ago, where mining companies didn’t want women anywhere near mines, and that’s changed — but really only in the last 20 years. There are more and more women who work underground and not just in the surface administrative positions, she noted.
The labour shortages, especially in Timmins, have increased the need for skilled trades and women to fill the shortages. As the number of women in the mining sector increases so has the need for the Women in Mining Chapter. The group’s first meeting was held in September where they discussed what activities they will focus on for the year.
The mandate of Women in Mining Timmins is to empower, support, and advocate for women in the mining industry. Through networking and educational events, they plan to bring women and allies together to create an inclusive environment that promotes equality, professional growth, and leadership opportunities for women at all levels of their mining careers.
The group will also help address a number of advocacy issues that are barriers for women to engage in mining workplaces. An obvious hurdle is childcare availability. With shift work, finding good childcare can be an issue.
Laughren is a good example of their expected membership. She was born and raised in Timmins, left for school but returned because of her love of the lifestyle in the North.
“It’s important for us to attract people to want to move or stay in Timmins,” she shared.
She believes the mining sector has a lot to offer women and ensuring those opportunities are communicated to women, along with a good support system like Women in Mining, is important. She said it’s important to start promoting the different opportunities within the mining industry and to start at a younger level rather than hoping to pull university students back to the North.
The Timmins Chapter has approximately 30 members including women from the surrounding Indigenous communities. Matachewan First Nation, southeast of Timmins, has its mineral development advisor, Kayla Schram, taking part in the chapter.
“I really look forward to seeing where this group goes and how we can support and attract women,” said Laughren.
To find out more, visit wimtimmins.ca or follow them on social media.