Large turnout of support for International Day of Women in Mining

CHISHOLM—Before a crowd of about 80 women, representing the mining industry and a host of other entities from the local area, three women employed in the mining industry shared their stories at the International Day of Women in Mining event held June 17 at Valentini’s in Chisholm.

International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM) is an annual global campaign that honors the achievements of all who identify as women and the advancement of inclusion in mining, according to publicity on the event. It represents our continuous commitment to working collaboratively for gender equity in the sector.

The event in Chisholm took place after the international day of recognition, which was June 15, and included women from the mining industry and a variety of other sectors showing their support, including: suppliers, vendors, finance, academia, shipping, government, and nonprofit. Women from the mining industry, salary and union, were also in attendance.

Kristen Vake, Executive Director of Iron Mining Association of Minnesota and Julie Lucas, Executive Director MiningMinnesota hosted the event.

Vake said a concerted effort went into growing the event from just 13 in 2023 to the 80 women from various segments showing their support for women in mining.

“It’s so cool to see,” Vake said.

“I think it shows there’s a desire for women in this room, supporting women in mining and building relationships on the Range,” Lucas said, noting the attendees represented a variety of entities including suppliers, vendors, contractors, finance, and more.

Madi Ryan, a graduate student of meteorology and climatology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, said, “It’s great to learn more about mining.”

Ryan said she has a background in geology and the event is helpful in that aspect as well to learn about women who work in the field of mining.

Lindsey Buran, Strategic Accounts, Minnesota Power said “It’s really great to see all of these women here—I’m super happy Julie and Kristen put stuff together to support women in the mining industry.”

Tatiana Koski, a process engineer at U.S. Steel Minntac said “It’s encouraging to see women in different roles here to support mining.”

After lunch a panel discussion facilitated by Vake, panelists: Chrissy Bartovich, Minntac, U.S. Steel; Christie Kearney, NewRange Copper Nickel, and Tawnya Gustafson, United Steelworkers Local 2660, Keetac, U.S. Steel shared their personal experiences working in the mining industry.

In the panel discussion the three women shared how they got involved in mining, some of the challenges they’ve faced, and provided insight on topics such as the development of gender diversity and inclusion, work-life balance, and advice for young women considering a career in mining.

Gustafson, a former vice president of United Steelworkers Local 2660, has the distinction of being the first woman to be elected to that office at a taconite plant on the Range.

She recalled some of the changes she helped initiate at Keetac including replacing guarding material weighing 90 pounds with a new, lighter material made of mesh, and additional washing stations with heat and lights, and smaller sizes for work clothing and gloves.

“Smaller gloves and clothes help women and help men who are smaller,” Gustafson pointed out.

Gustafson said at workforce career days, she’s noticed a lot more women in welding, leaving her to wonder “Where is it coming from?”

Tik Tok videos of women welding have become popular, and may have played a role, she suggested.

Kearney, a fourth generation Iron Ranger and second generation in the mining industry, said a more diverse workforce brings with it “more ideas, more variety, a better project experience and culture.”

A passion for the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and “wanting the same for future generations,” is what Kearney said sparked her interest in copper-nickel.

Kearney said she’s noticed a change in the past 20 years, when attending a mining conference it was once only men, and now is now half women.

Bartovich stressed the importance of getting the message out to young women about about opportunities from somebody who looks like them. She shared she encountered a young woman who initially wanted to pursue a career as an RN, and after learning about opportunities in mining said she wanted to be a millwright.

In the event they see a project or a task that they are interested in, she suggested they go to their manager and let them know. She pointed out without stepping up, the manager may not be aware of their interest.

“Be your own advocate, when you see an opportunity speak up,” Bartovich offered as a tip for women entering the mining industry.

The real change for women in high school is the possibilities, Bartovich said.

“The sky’s the limit—they’re all over the map on what they want to do,” she said of 14 to 16 year-old girls.