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The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector consists of oil and gas extraction, mining (except oil and gas), and support activities for mining.1 Meanwhile jobs in the green energy sector are growing with investments made by both governments and private companies. 2

Women in Australia’s Gas, Mining, and Oil Industry

• In 2001, women made up 10% of the mining industry workforce 3

• In 2009, women who were new entrants to the industry (Level 1) made 8.7% less than men.4

• In 2009, women senior managers (Level 5) made 38.1% less than their male senior management colleagues.5

•  A survey of women and men in the mining industry asked if their organizations were "proactively supportive of gender diversity":6
  • 29.7% of respondents said "no," 
  • 70.3% of respondents said "yes."

Women in Canada’s Gas, Mining, and Oil Industry

Canadian women are experienced and interested in employment in the mining sector, that range from the office to lab, to heavy equipment operators as well as management, executive and boardroom levels.7

• In 2010, Canada had 968 mines.8
  • In 2010, mining contributed $36 billion (2.9%) to Canada’s GDP 
  • Mining employs one out of every 55 Canadian workers.
  • The mining and exploration sector is projected to experience a severe labor shortage by 2017, with a potential hiring need of 60,000 in the next decade.
    • Labor force diversity will be essential to meet this labor shortage and retention will be essential as the competition for skilled labor increases.
• 14.6% of mining employers have recruitment policies targeted at women.9
• In 2008, 61.9% of recruiters for the mining industry reported challenges in recruiting women.10

WAGE GAP BETWEEN CANADIAN WOMEN AND MEN IN THE MINING AND

EXPLORATION SECTOR 11

Diversity in Canada’s Gas, Mining, and Oil Industry

• Aboriginal workers make up 7.5% of the mining workforce.12 Visible minorities make up less than 3% of the minerals and metals industry workforce.13
• In Canada, unions play a major role in improving gender diversity in the mining industry.14
• Women cited gender specific challenges to career advancement in mining including:15
  • Work culture
  • Lack of mentor/network
  • Perceptions of their ability
  • Lack of flexible work arrangements

United States

• In the U.S., employment in mining (except for coal) is projected to decline 14.5% by 2018 due to the new technologies and extraction techniques which will replace workers.16
  • Green energy is poised to grow with investments made by both governments and private companies.17
  • The US Department of Labor advocates the green energy sector for women as a non-traditional, job opportunity to increase wages. 18

MINING INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS BY SELECT COUNTRY AND OCCUPATION (2008) 19

How to cite this product: Catalyst. Catalyst Quick Take: Women in Gas, Mining & Oil in Australia, Canada, & the U.S.. New York: Catalyst, 2012.

• 1. BLS, " Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction: NAICS 21”(2013).
• 2. US Department of Labor, Industry Sector Opportunities: Women Working in Alternative Energy Fact Sheet —Revised (August 2010).
• 3. Women in Mining Network,"Increasing the Diversity of the Mining Industry Workforce—Strategies for Employers," (2003).
• 4. Women in Mining Network, "Mining Industry Gender Pay Gap Increases in Downturn Year" (January, 2010).
• 5. Women in Mining Network, " Mining Industry Gender Pay Gap Increases in Downturn Year " (January, 2010).
• 6. Women in Mining Network, " Mining Industry Gender Pay Gap Increases in Downturn Year" (January, 2010).
• 7. Women in Mining, Canada, Ramp Up: A Study on the Status of Women in Canada’s Mining and Exploration Sector (2010).
• 8. The Mining Association, "Facts and Figures of the Canadian Mining Industry 2011 " (2012).
• 9. The Mining Association, "Facts and Figures of the Canadian Mining Industry 2011 " (2012).
• 10. Mining Industry Human Resources Council, Mining for Diversity Research Report Summary: Innovative Attraction, Recruitment & Retention Practices in the Mining Industry (2008).
• 11. Women in Mining, Canada, Ramp Up: A Study on the Status of Women in Canada’s Mining and Exploration Sector (2010).
• 12. The Mining Association, " Facts and Figures of the Canadian Mining Industry 2011" (2012).
• 13. Mining Industry Training and Adjustment Council, Prospecting the Future: Meeting Human Resources Challenges in the Canadian Minerals and Metals Industry: Summary Report (2005).
• 14. Women in Mining, Canada, Ramp Up: A Study on the Status of Women in Canada’s Mining and Exploration Sector (2010).
• 15. Women in Mining, Canada, Ramp Up: A Study on the Status of Women in Canada’s Mining and Exploration Sector (2010).
• 16. BLS, "Mining," Career Guide to Industries 2010-11 Edition (2009).
• 17. US Department of Labor, Industry Sector Opportunities: Women Working in Alternative Energy Fact Sheet—Revised (August 2010).
• 18. Public Policy Associates, Incorporated, in partnership with Wider Opportunities for Women, as part of the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau’s A Woman’s Guide to Green Jobs. (2010).
• 19. ILO, Laborsta, " Table 1E: Economically Active Population, by Industry and by Occupation (Thousands) "