PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner BHP on Thursday told shareholders that the company was committed to stamping out instances of sexual harassment and bullying at its mine sites.
Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, CEO Mike Henry and chairperson Ken MacKenzie both apologised to anyone who had experienced, or continued to experience, any form of sexual harassment, racism or bullying at the firm, vowing to eliminate these behaviours.
“At BHP, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive workplace culture where everyone can bring the best of themselves to work. Although we are making progress in these areas, we know we have a lot more to do,” Mackenzie said.
Henry echoed the sentiments, admitting that the company had been unsuccessful in stopping damaging behaviour in BHP sites and villages, including sexual harassment, racism and bullying.
“I am deeply sorry and apologise to those who have experienced or continue to experience any form of sexual harassment, racism or bullying anywhere at BHP. I am fiercely determined to do everything I can to stop this conduct. I speak on behalf of the whole of the senior management team in this regard,” Henry said.
“We are continuing to take action. In the past year, we have spent more than $200-million in upgrades to security at accommodation villages, with faster progress constrained only by the supply chain’s ability to keep up with us.
“We have enhanced our training programmes, including for both leaders and bystanders, and we have established and improved our support services. I know we have more to do and this is a priority that is reflected in my and our team’s performance measures,” he added.
Henry said that like with sexual harassment, BHP two years ago took the decision to elevate all claims of racism to its most serious category of investigation under its Ethics Point process, and more recently has undertaken a specific, dedicated effort to stamp out racism across BHP.
He noted that a dedicated project management office had also been established to progress work towards eliminating this behaviour and ensuring an environment in which people from all backgrounds could thrive.
BHP has been on a major drive to increase female and First Nation participation in its workforce recently, with MacKenzie on Thursday pointing out that female participation in the workforce had increased to 33%, up from 17% in 2016, while Indigenous and First Nations employment now represented more than 8% of the operational workforce in Australia and Chile, and more than 7% of the Jansen potash project, in Canada.