Australian Ambassador Says Diversity and Women’s Leadership Strengthen Peru’s Mining Sector
- The panel of female experts emphasized that gender equality drives competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development in Peru’s mining sector.
Lima, May 26, 2026. As part of the SIMPOSIO – XVI International Mining Meeting, organized by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy, the Australian Ambassador to Peru, James Yeomans, emphasized that the inclusion of women is key to the industry’s competitiveness and sustainable development.
During his remarks at the roundtable discussion “Paving the Way for Diversity and Gender Equality in the Peruvian Mining Sector,” the ambassador shared the Australian experience, where the commitment of the government, businesses, and academia has increased female participation to 22% of the mining workforce, yielding concrete results: greater talent retention and engagement, improved safety indicators, increased innovation, and a strengthened sectoral reputation.
Yeomans noted that Peru and Australia share a vision for developing a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive mining sector capable of expanding opportunities and strengthening the industry’s capabilities. She highlighted the enthusiastic reception of the “Women for Sustainable Mining” scholarship, awarded to 20 Peruvian women, which will provide them with the opportunity to enhance their skills in sustainability, innovation, and leadership within the mining sector.
“Our commitment to Peru is to support the next generation of women leaders in mining and to demonstrate that inclusion strengthens the sector. As a trusted partner of Peru, we are convinced that these types of programs are beneficial for society, women, their families, and communities, both in the short and long term,” said the Australian diplomat.
Later, a panel featuring representatives from BHP, Ausenco, and Bradken presented specific examples of efforts to promote female talent at various levels of the industry, ranging from mentoring and leadership training programs to initiatives that introduce elementary school girls to STEM careers.
Lorena Carillo, BHP’s Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs for Latin America, noted that “having a company with a focus on diversity is good business; it is strategic and responds to the reality of the world,” while María Paz Núñez, Vice President of Global Project Services at Ausenco, emphasized the importance of “creating networks and partnerships that foster the growth of more women leaders.” For her part, Janet Zehnder, Plant Manager at Bradken Chilca, highlighted the importance of “committing to opening opportunities for new generations.”
The panelists agreed that gender equity today permeates all areas of the mining business and represents a key factor in stimulating innovation, boosting productivity, and transforming the sector’s reputation, both within companies and in society as a whole.
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