Diversity and inclusion in mining: an analysis of indicators in sustainability reporting

Abstract

The mining industry is increasingly turning to diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs to address a wide range of challenges including an aging workforce, increased public pressure to acquire social license to operate, and growing demand for innovative technical solutions to mining problems. However, there is a lack of available information on D&I initiatives in mining contexts, creating a barrier to adopting and developing these programs in mining corporations. To determine how and to what extent mining companies are devoting resources to D&I programs, I analyzed twenty-six D&I-related indicators in the public sustainability reports of 8 major metals mining companies from 2012-2019. This analysis demonstrates greater attention being paid in mining companies to D&I and an apparent preference for reporting on simple indicators which are relatively easy to obtain, such as demographics and policies. However, reporting on ethnic diversity and established industry goals that do not have corresponding GRI standards was extremely limited, and there was a decline in reporting of several indicators of structural aspects of employee inclusion over the study period, presenting a potentially concerning trend. I conclude that mining is on par with other industries in terms of current levels of global gender diversity, but that increasing D&I reporting in the mining industry remains a promising means to ensure that harms and benefits are evenly distributed among stakeholders in the mining industry and to align with the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals.