Swann’s Managing Director, Nona Sichinava, was a guest speaker at the recent FT Live Mining Summit, a global digital conference organised by the Financial Times.
She joined a panel of experts to discuss shortage of talent in the sector and the changes that need to happen in order for the industry to be in a position to attract a competitive workforce.
Fellow panelists included:
- Professor Laeeque K Daneshmend, Noranda Falconbridge Chair (Mining Engineering), Queen’s University
- Marina Quental, Executive VP People at Vale
- Carla Stent, Chair at Marex
- Athalie Williams, Chief People Officer, BHP
The panel was moderated by the FT’s Natural Resources Editor, Neil Hume.
The FT Mining Summit team invited the speakers to discuss the following premise:
“How does mining attract the next generation of digitally savvy workers and improve diversity? This is one of the biggest issues facing the industry as it looks to embrace new technology and ways of working following the Covid pandemic. To attract new, young talent companies will need to change long-held perceptions about mining and prove it is a dynamic industry that embraces change and new ways of thinking.”
The presenters discussed individual company strategies and programmes as well as reflected on the mining sector’s overall current and upcoming human capital challenges.
One of the key points debated was the strong correlation between the wider society’s perception of the industry with regard to its ESG record, and a hesitance to pursue a career in the sector. It is an issue that needs to be addressed collectively by the industry to have a meaningful and positive impact on the attraction of a future workforce.
You can catch up on any of the sessions via the Financial Times Live website. Please note, however, that the FT will charge a registration fee if you were not a delegate at the event.