PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Resource industry bodies on Monday reaffirmed that there would be zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the mining industry.

A report by 60 Minutes over the weekend made allegations of persistent sexual harassment in the mining industry, echoing findings of an external review of diversified miner Rio Tinto’s workplace culture, earlier this year.

The report found that bullying and sexism are systemic across Rio Tinto worksites, with almost half of the people experiencing bullying; 28.2% of women and 6.7% of men have experienced sexual harassment at work; while 21 women reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault.

The Western Australian government last year launched a Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) industry, which would inquire into the prevalence of sexual harassment in the FIFO mining industry, and would look at whether appropriate measures exist to combat the occurrence of sexual harassment, as well as the extent of current legislation, regulations, policies and practices for the FIFO workplace in Western Australia.

Following the broadcast of the 60 Minutes programme over the weekend, the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) said that member companies recognise that sexual harassment occurs across society and workplaces causing profound physical, emotional and psychological harm.

“There is zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the mining industry,” said MCA CEO Tania Constable.

“It is unacceptable, against the law and must be eliminated from our industry’s culture and workplaces. The industry is committed to eliminating sexual harassment and is working with mining companies to end this abhorrent behaviour.

“Every individual, regardless of where they work, who they work for, how they are employed, or the tasks they undertake expects the same high standard of workplace safety, health and wellbeing.

“Everyone in the industry has a personal responsibility for the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves and their work mates, as well as contributing to positive and respectful workplaces. This includes speaking up without fear of retribution when unsafe work practices and unacceptable behaviours occur.”

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy for Western Australia (CME) also said that its member companies had reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to eliminate all instances of sexual harassment and assault at operations around the state and ensure workplaces are safe and inclusive for all employees.
 

CME CEO Paul Everingham said behaviour reported in the media over the past 18 months and detailed in the ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry was extremely concerning and totally unacceptable.
 

“Any one instance of this behaviour is one too many. The health and safety of our workforce must always be the No. 1 priority for Western Australia’s mining and resources sector,” Everingham said.
 

“I can’t speak to specific allegations and incidents that have emerged but what I can say is the types of behaviour that have been reported have no place in the workplace or, indeed, in society.
 

“We apologise to anyone who has experienced this type of behaviour. We are grateful for the courage of the people who have come forward to report it, and we reinforce our commitment to creating safe environments in which people can feel comfortable making such reports, particularly given there are clearly people who have not felt this way in the past.
 

“I can promise that each and every CME member company is absolutely dedicated to eliminating unacceptable behaviour and fostering safe and inclusive environments for all of the WA mining and resources sector’s 150 000-plus employees.”
 

Everingham said CME and its member companies were committed to continuing to participate fully in the Parliamentary Inquiry and taking on board recommendations that may arise from it.
 

In parallel, a Safe and Respectful Behaviours Working Group consisting of representatives from more than 50 CME member companies continues to review current practices at Western Australian operations and target best-practice improvements.
 

“We have said from the outset of the Inquiry that any recommendations that are practical and which will deliver positive outcomes are ones that we would act upon,” Everingham said.
 

“We will continue to engage with the Inquiry as it prepares to publish its findings over the next few months.”