Our thinking

Changing the face of mining

In partnership with

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Supported by Women in Mining UK

 

Women in Mining UK logo

 

A review of women on boards and C-suite positions in the mining industry 2012 – 2022

Introduction

Rebecca Campbell
Partner, White & Case LLP

Amanda van Dyke
ARCH, Emerging Markets Partners

Carole Cable
Chair, Women in Mining UK

The mining industry is the bedrock of the global economy, providing the basic materials that are the building blocks of the world. Infrastructure, transport and machinery, energy, and the devices and equipment that we use every day to look after our families and our communities, all contain metals and minerals that are mined. More recently, there has rightly been a focus on the role of the mining industry in the energy transition; there can be no decarbonisation without an increased sustainable supply of the critical minerals needed for batteries, renewable power, and the infrastructure required to create and distribute low or zero emissions energy. While recycling will have an increased role to play, primary mining is the driver.

Yet, the industry is facing one of its biggest challenges ever – how to change the face of mining to attract more people into the sector and how to encourage them to stay. We are acutely aware of the poor perception the public has of mining, and a part of that perception is the lack of diversity from the top all the way to the mine site. If you don't recognise you, or know about the amazing jobs available to solve the climate crisis, why would you chose mining to be part of the climate solution?

We acknowledge that diversity goes beyond gender and there is significant intersectionality within, but we focused this report on women in mining because we wanted to track the progress of the mining industry 10 years after publishing our first research report in 2012. Women in Mining UK, led at that time by Amanda Van Dyke, commissioned the first report to determine just how many women were participating in the mining industry at senior levels, and to determine what, if any, effect those women had on the performance of those companies. The aim of research like this is to make a factually supported business case for women in mining.

And ten years later, Rebecca Campbell, Global Head of the Mining & Metals Industry Group at White & Case, and Amanda van Dyke, Managing Director of the ARCH Sustainable Resources Strategy, together with their incredible teams, have updated the research and the business case. This 2023 research found that there remains a positive correlation between a higher EBITDA margin, a higher return on capital invested, higher ESG scores with the percentage of women on boards. The top 500 listed mining companies have made good progress over the decade, albeit from a low base, increasing the number of women on boards by 13%, and for the top 100 listed miners, the rate of increase was 15% over the period.

However, there is much more progress that needs to be made. If we were to extrapolate that rate of change, it would take the top 100 listed mining companies until 2026 to reach the critical 30% level, and until 2030 for the top 500 listed mining companies.

There is an old expression, "what gets measured gets done". This research report and the one undertaken 10 years ago are written by women in mining for the whole sector, and we hope that it shines a light on the value of diversity and inspires other historically under-represented groups to take on similar efforts to make further progress on diversity and inclusion.

Together, and only together, can we build a truly equitable and sustainable future for mining, rebuild society's trust, and attract and retain the top talent the mining industry needs to play its role in the energy transition, responsibly and sustainably for all stakeholders.

Foreword by two trailblazers in the mining industry

Marna Cloete
President, Ivanhoe Mines

Mining lies at the center of unprecedented, systemic changes sweeping the globe. The pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions depends on the reliable supply of minerals, a dependence that has elevated mining's political profile in a completely new way. As the world faces growing concerns over climate change and energy availability, there is an undeniable urgency for continued exploration and development across the mining industry. With that interest comes age-old concerns. Can we mine enough to decarbonize, and can we do so in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner? At Ivanhoe Mines, we think so. We are committed to becoming a global leader in the supply of essential metals for the world's growing population and its transition to clean energy.

For decades, mining has been perceived as an "old boys club," with gender inclusivity and equality only recently gaining traction. While women taking on senior leadership roles in the industry is still relatively uncommon, I am fortunate not to have experienced a "glass ceiling" in my career over the past two decades. However, I realize that this isn't always the case. More needs to be done to increase awareness and make the industry more appealing and supportive toward women; this includes promoting the value of local women-owned businesses when developing projects.

Diversity in leadership can drive innovation and facilitate better decision-making, and today, it's widely accepted that having more women at the top can contribute to greater financial performance and improved ESG ratings. Women in Mining UK and partner White & Case deserve recognition for their contributions. The mining industry has made strides over the past decade. Women occupied board positions in just under 8% of the top-100 listed mining companies a mere ten years ago, while today that figure stands at 22% and continues to climb.

As the president of Ivanhoe Mines, promoting diversity and inclusion has always been a top priority for me. I am proud to say that we have increased the percentage of female employees across our group from 9% to 10% alongside a 20% increase in our workforce. Our commitment to local communities and governments is unwavering, and we take great pride in knowing that our Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex contributed approximately 4% to the GDP of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2022. Furthermore, we have spent close to US$311 million in government taxes and royalties while maintaining the highest possible ESG standards.

Our commitment to supporting local businesses goes beyond just providing them with the resources they need to succeed. We're also focused on fostering innovation, upskilling members of the community, and creating opportunities for women to manage and own businesses. Our efforts include enterprises such as the Kushona sewing center, the Mundjendje poultry farm and the Ndizi Salama banana plantation—all owned and operated by women who now have the chance to be financially independent and support their families. We firmly believe that the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses is critical to the growth of local economies, job creation and innovation, and to empowering women to achieve their full potential.

It's been very exciting to witness these successes at Ivanhoe Mines, and we will continue to lead the way in the industry by transforming how mining is done with an unwavering commitment to our people, communities and environmental stewardship.

My thanks to Amanda van Dyke and Rebecca Campbell for guiding this report to publication. It gives us all hope that things are changing for the better, while making clear there is so much more to do. When one succeeds, everyone succeeds. We all have a part to play in helping the mining industry progress, paving the way for a fair and sustainable future that we can all take great pride in.

 

Cynthia Carroll
Board member, Glencore
Former CEO, Anglo American

As CEO of Anglo American, I saw first-hand the critical importance of changing the culture of the mining industry through diversity, equity and inclusion, and the extensive impact that women can have on an organization. Changing corporate culture takes time. Shareholders do not always reward these efforts immediately. But inclusion of women is not optional. Without it, the industry will not be able to fully realize its potential. How can we effectively meet the challenges of climate change and sustainable development if we are not accessing the best talent in the world and the other 50% of the population?

I am fortunate and proud to have played a part in beginning the change during my tenure at Anglo American, and am pleased to see how the company has taken on the challenge of making its corporate team and business partners align with its values. As this report makes clear, increasing women's participation on corporate boards is not just the right thing to do. It's good for business.

Women bring unique perspectives, skills and experiences to the table, which can help drive innovation and improve decision-making. There is now ample evidence to confirm that companies with diverse leadership teams perform better financially, have better ESG ratings and deliver more value for shareholders as responsible corporate stewards. Significant progress has been made since I was the lone female CEO in the industry, but there is far more to be done.

Women face myriad challenges going into mining, whether it be bias, discrimination, lack of representation in leadership positions or lack of opportunity. With the right support and initiatives, these barriers can be overcome. Mining companies can change. My own experience with Anglo American attests to that. When I began as CEO, we had few women working deep underground or in open pit operations. When I left Anglo American, we had women working in operational and functional roles at all levels across the group and employed more women than any other mining company in the world. This uplifted the culture and, I believe, our results.

Cultural changes start at the top. If executives do not take gender inclusion seriously, it is impossible to build an inclusive culture from below. Training and mentorship programs, providing flexible work arrangements and promoting gender diversity at every level of mining companies are necessary, as are systematic efforts to eliminate gender pay gaps. Companies should mandate, not ask, that executives promote, recruit and include women.

Many thanks to Amanda, Carol and Rebecca. We need more efforts like this to show how starkly clear the benefits of inclusion are, both as a moral good and best practices for business. Hopefully, others can build on what they've done to do the same for other groups who have been excluded from positions of authority for too long.

Women have a vital role to play in the mining industry, and their participation is essential for its success. I am proud to have been part of a company that recognized this and worked toward gender balance. I hope that this report inspires others to keep pushing for true equality in the mining industry. There is so much more to be done, and the rewards are immense.

Executive summary: Changes since the last report in 2012

sand patterns

Women on boards: The numbers

mining workers
Courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

Digging deeper into the numbers

solar plant

Developing a diverse pipeline is crucial to the future of the mining industry

mining truck

How women on boards affect the financial performance of mining companies

mining workers
Courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

The effect of women on environmental, social and governance factors

woman mining worker
Courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd

Conclusion: The business case for women in mining

mining site

About Women in Mining (UK)

WIM UK promotes the employment, retention and progress of women in the mining industry.
 
Founded in 2006, Women in Mining UK (WIM UK) advocates and speaks for women in the mining sector, informing industry participants and decision-makers of the challenges and opportunities women are finding in pursuing careers in mining companies and other mining-related businesses.
 
Through our partnerships with leading mining companies and other industry participants, WIM UK provides thought leadership, analysis and research on the business case for diversity, inclusion and the economic advancement of women in the sector.
 
WIM UK offers a strong network which is used to progress professional goals and career aspirations. Membership is complimentary to both women and men. Through our work with universities and other organisations, WIM UK promotes the role of women in the mining industry and externally raises awareness of mining as a career choice for women.
 
WIM UK celebrates and shares female success stories with the "100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining" publications and through our social media channels.
 
For more information, please contact us via our website Home - Women In Mining

mining workers

How women on boards affect the financial performance of mining companies

In partnership with

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Women in Mining UK logo
Insight
|
3 min read

While we have used different metrics to analyze financial performance in previous reports (these being EBITDA, ROCE, dividend yield, earnings per share (EPS), EV/Reserves and returns, among others), we have determined that EBITDA margin and ROCE are the most effective and appropriate metrics for the purposes of this year's report, given that they demonstrate both the clearest correlation with the previous metrics used and arguably are the best measures of a company's financial performance from the perspective of shareholders.

The EBITDA margin measures a company's profitability from its operations by calculating the company's operating profits as a percentage of the company's revenue. As such, EBITDA margin is an important performance metric that allows for the comparison of two or more companies of varying sizes in the same industry—in this case, the mining industry.

The data shows a consistent positive correlation between the representation of women on boards of the top-100 and 500 listed mining companies worldwide and EBITDA margin and return on capital employed (ROCE)

ROCE, return on capital employed —sometimes referred to as the "primary ratio"—is a financial ratio used to measure not just the profitability of a company but also the efficiency with which it uses its capital. Put simply, it measures how good a business is at generating profits from invested capital.

The reason the positive correlation between EBITDA margin, ROCE and women on boards is so important is that it shows that some of the most important measures of a company's financial success can be consistently correlated to diversity at the board level. It shows that women are not just nice to have, but necessary to have for long-term financial performance, and financial rewards are what shareholders who have the most influence on board composition have always rated the most highly. It also supports the important idea that investing in women means investing in returns. 

This year's report shows a consistent positive correlation between the representation of women on boards of the top-100 and 500 listed mining companies worldwide and EBITDA margin and ROCE. With respect to the top-100 listed mining companies, the EBITDA margin of mixed-gender boards stands at 38.0%, as compared to an EBITDA margin of 32.7% for all-male boards, suggesting that companies with mixed-gender boards positively benefit from the varied perspectives brought by female leaders in the boardroom to become more consistently profitable.

Regarding ROCE, our analysis revealed that companies within the top-100 that have a board-level representation of 40% or more women tend to achieve, on average, a 6% higher ROCE compared to companies with less than 40% female representation. Specifically, the average ROCE for companies with 40% or more female representation stands at 28.9%, while companies with less than 40% women on their boards achieve an average ROCE of 22.8%. Similarly, among the top-500 listed companies, those with a board-level representation of 40% or more women exhibit an average ROCE of 9.3%, which is 3% higher than companies with less than 40% women representation.

Further, the above graphs demonstrate the positive correlation between the percentage of women on boards and EBITDA margin across both the top-100 and 500 listed mining companies. The blue bars represent raw data, while the black line represents the regression (i.e., the trend). With respect to the top-100 listed mining companies, those with 45%, 50% and 55% women on their boards clearly outperformed peers with 10%, 15% and 20% women on their boards. The same can be noted with respect to the top-500 listed mining companies.


Photo courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd


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This article is prepared for the general information of interested persons. It is not, and does not attempt to be, comprehensive in nature. Due to the general nature of its content, it should not be regarded as legal advice.

© 2023 White & Case LLP

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