Fighting gender bias
in occupational fields
usually dominated by men is just one of the
many challenges faced by women in the mining industry.
To fulfill its mission to promote gender equity, Vale has joined the Women in Mining (WIM), a global organization committed to fostering debate and advancing women in the sector.
Carolina Wagner, head of customer service in Singapore.
Being a representative of the Women in Mining movement not only allows us to get insights and inspiring ideas from other companies on how to handle the subject, but also have our interests and ideas taken into consideration
The group recently started to operate in Switzerland - where Vale also has operations and joined Women in Mining through its representatives in that country.
The group was founded by seven women. Three of them are Vale employees.
Switzerland is home to many metallurgy and mining companies that are spread across the country and do not necessarily have business in common. WIM will become an empowerment tool, enabling us to build a network and promote discussions of the current scenario in our business environment, particularly regarding gender equity', said Renata Costa Zingre,Country Manager at Vale Switzerland and member of the founding board of WIM in the country.
Renata Costa Zingre, Country Manager at Vale Switzerland and member of the founding board of WIM in the country.
The organization landed in Brazil in 2019 and within one year launched its first Action Plan, which has been adhered to by 12 companies in the sector. The plan, which was designed to enhance women's participation in mining, follows WIM Canada's plan with standards slightly adjusted to the Brazilian reality. Vale has adhered to the standards as part of the goal to double its female workforce by 2030 and will spare no effort to make women feel represented in an inclusive environment for all.
Andreia Rabetim, Manager of Cross-Industry Affairs and Volunteering Actions at Vale Brazil.
Vale was the first company to support WIM Brazil and as one of the largest mining companies in the country, it is ready to tackle the real problems facing this movement. Supporting WIM means contributing, learning, sharing and exchanging with other companies in the mineral sector' said Andreia Rabetim, Manager of Cross-Industry Affairs and Volunteering Actions at Vale Brazil.
What would you say to women
who want to start working in mining?
Caroline Wagner:
Follow your dream. Don't act like one of them. Use your strengths to build yourself up. Things have improved a lot and the fact that we are talking about this subject proves my point.
Renata Costa:
There may be difficult times, just like in any other profession, but the world is changing rapidly, and the mining sector is particularly embracing inclusion and diversity.
Andreia Rabetim:
There is no such thing as a male and a female career. We can work in any profession. Define your goals, plan your career based on your calling, your professional potential and the dreams you want to achieve. And join others to include more women and fight and break barriers to access and inclusion.
Would you like to join Women in Mining?
Brazil
Men and women
can sign up at
Sign up here
Brazil
To follow the group's events, subscribe to the telegram channel
Sign up here
Singapore:
To sign up and learn about
the group's activities, visit
Sign up here
Switzerland:
Follow the group's activities on LinkedIn.
Sign up here Learn more:
Learn more stories of women who are making history in mining on the Mining by Women page
Click here
International Women's Day - Meet Eight Women Who Have Made Their Careers in the Mining Industry
Click here
VALE S.A. 
