Investing in greater diversity
We believe a diverse workforce is a better workforce.
It provides us with the wide range of thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to run modern mining business, and a deeper talent pool.
As an equal opportunity employer, our policy is to appoint the best person to the job based on individual strengths, irrespective of gender, race, disability, ethnicity, religious belief, or sexual orientation.
Full details of our policies and procedures are available below in the Management Approach.
As part of our commitment to diversity we want to help right the gender imbalance in the historically male-dominated mining industry by prioritizing initiatives that support gender diversity, including the recruitment and development of women at all levels. We have the target for women to account for at least 30% of directors by the end of 2022, which, as of January 2023, was achieved.
Mines such as Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic have shown particular progress with women representing close to 50% of new hires in 2022. 22% of the workforce in Pueblo Viejo is now female.
Further initiatives to encourage gender diversity have included raising awareness among local communities about the value of female economic empowerment, targeted initiatives such as female truck driving programs and supporting alternative livelihood opportunities for women.
Read our Sustainability Report for a case study on work to deliver a diverse workforce in the Dominican Republic.
Accelerating progress toward meaningful work for women in Argentina
Globally women make up less that 20% of mining’s workforce, and the bulk of the sector’s female workforce fill low-paid and unskilled roles. To help address the imbalance at Veladero in Argentina we have developed a women focused truck-driver training program – empowering them to safely operate a range of equipment including large trucks on site.
Just one example of a beneficiary is Romina from the settlement of Tudcum, the gateway community to Veladero, who completed our driver training during 2022. She graduated top of her class and now works at Veladero full-time including driving the iconic 793F haul trucks which have more than 2,600 horsepower and a nominal payload of 256 tonnes.
Previously employed in a role with anti-social hours, poor remuneration and therefore limited time with her children, Romina says the role is helping her build a better life for her children. She adds, “The prejudice that mining is just for men is slowly changing, as more women become involved and the men see we are just as capable. Programs like this really help, the way Barrick hires from the community is also critical for this region and is appreciated.’ For more information see our 2022 Sustainability Report.