Probe digs up evidence sexual assault, harassment rife in mining sector

Shocking claims of sexual assault and harassment at mine sites have been revealed by BHP and Rio Tinto.

Dozens of mine site sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations have been substantiated by BHP and Rio Tinto alone in the past two years, a parliamentary inquiry has revealed.

Several cases relating to claims at operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region that are now before the courts sparked the inquiry, which is investigating inappropriate behaviour towards women in the sector, with the state’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy labelling such instances “totally unacceptable”.

In its written submission, BHP confirmed it had received six complaints from WA worksites over the 2019 to 2021 financial years regarding non-consensual sexual penetration, non-consensual kissing or touching of breasts that were substantiated after internal investigations.

Three further allegations are currently being investigated, while investigations into four additional complaints were unable to be concluded for reasons including the alleged perpetrator having previously been terminated or the complainant not wanting to proceed.

On top of those, 73 reports of sexual harassment have been substantiated by BHP and 48 workers sacked as a result.

Dozens of mine site sexual assault and harassment allegations have been substantiated.

The conduct included ‘wolf whistles’, unwelcome touching, requests for massage, leering and persistent unwanted advances.

“A significant number of these cases involve unwelcome comments or ‘jokes’ of a sexual nature (approximately 34 per cent) or the sending or displaying of unwanted or inappropriate electronic messages or images (approximately 30 per cent),” BHP said.

“We welcome these reports, and are committed to investigating them thoroughly and taking action where inappropriate or unwanted behaviours are substantiated.”

Rio Tinto wrote that since January 1 last year, it had received one complaint of sexual assault and 29 claims of sexual harassment that had been substantiated.

One further allegation of sexual assault and 14 reports of sexual harassment are under investigation.

The male-dominated, fly-in fly-out-based sector notes more victims are coming forward as part of a general societal recognition the behaviour should be dragged out of the shadows and called out.

“The trend towards greater reporting is encouraging as it reflects that those impacted, as well as bystanders, are increasingly comfortable to report an incident,” Rio Tinto said.

“This enables us to take appropriate action to address the behaviour.”

WA’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety says there may be significant under-reporting of alleged sexual assault and harassment in the sector.

Another alarming submission to the inquiry was from Indigenous Women in Mining and Resources Australia, which said racism was “the most discussed challenge in understanding the full impact of sexual harassment and other challenges that we have in operations”.

“The continued basis of our conversations highlighted that this is the number one deterrent in reporting to leaders,” the group said.

It also pointed to a lack of understanding of what constituted sexual harassment among on site peers and male co-workers.

WA’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety told the inquiry it had received 22 allegations of sexual assaults in the sector between 2015 and this year, and of 142 alleged bullying incidents, 10 involved conduct such as sending pornographic material, sexist comments and threats of rape.

The department said there may be significant under-reporting of such incidents, and it was “particularly disturbing” some allegations had emerged in the media before it was informed.

At the recent Diggers & Dealers mining conference in Kalgoorlie, Pilbara Minerals chief executive Ken Brinsden called on the industry to “work harder” on its culture.

“And if you have a dinosaur, who hasn’t got with the program, don’t just immediately send him down the road, because somebody else is going to pick up that same problem,” Mr Brinsden said.

“Let’s have a crack at rehabilitating individuals, turning them around, making them better people.”