Rio Tinto receives recognition in Australia for anti-domestic violence stand

At an awards breakfast at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, yesterday, Rio Tinto was named winner of the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance Award while Brisbane-based employee Rachel Durdin was named winner of the Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources category.

Rio Tinto became the first global mining company in Australia to receive White Ribbon workplace accreditation earlier this year, led by Rio Tinto Growth & Innovation Group Executive, Stephen McIntosh.

“I’m proud of the progress we’re seeing in diversity and inclusion across our company. Our White Ribbon workplace accreditation reflects a commitment to creating a safe, gender equal and respectful place to work.

“We all have a role to play in encouraging inclusion across the resources sector, enabling people to feel supported to perform at their best,” McIntosh said.

Durdin, Rio Tinto General Manager of Growth & Innovation Project Shaping, was recognised for her significant role in advocating for women in the mining industry. She was instrumental in driving Rio Tinto’s family and domestic violence response and achievement of its White Ribbon workplace accreditation.

“It has been a long journey but I’m so pleased with how far we have come in achieving real change for women in our sector. While there’s a long way to go, we are headed in the right direction by providing safe and supportive workplaces and continued opportunities for women in all types of roles across our business,” Durdin said.

The Inclusion Network at Rio Tinto’s Weipa Operations in far north Queensland, was highly commended in the Excellence in Diversity Programmes and Performance category for championing a workforce inclusive of female and Indigenous employees.

Rio Tinto Growth & Innovation Strategic Mine Planning Manager, Jo-Anne Dudley, was also highly commended in the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources category for developing strategies to promote the entry of women into engineering. Rio Tinto Gove Operations General Manager, Linda Murry, was recognised as a finalist in the Gender Diversity Champion in Australian Resources category.

Energy Resources Australia (ERA) Emergency Services Officer, Katrina Bangay, was awarded the Special Judges Award (Industry Contribution) in the Outstanding Australian Trade, Operator or Technician category. She was also a finalist in the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources category and ERA was a finalist in the Excellence in Diversity Programs and Performance category.

WIRNA is organised in partnership between the Minerals Council of Australia, Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia, NSW Minerals Council, South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council and Queensland Resources Council.

Image credit: Rio Tinto

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/special-reports/14092018/rio-tinto-receives-recognition-in-australia-for-anti-domestic-violence-stand/