Women in Mining Canada has announced the winners of its 2023 Trailblazer awards. As women are under-represented in all areas of mining, the Women in Mining Canada Trailblazer award series highlights women who are recognized leaders and who are making workplaces more diverse and inclusive.

There are five different award categories, honouring women and mentors who have paved the way for themselves and others by making extraordinary advancements throughout the Canadian mining industry: the Trailblazer award, the Indigenous Trailblazer award, the Indigenous Student Trailblazer award, the Student Trailblazer award, and the Rick Hutson Mentorship award.

This year’s Trailblazer award was won by Chafika Eddine, chief sustainability officer at Orla Mining. Eddine has undertaken over 30 public-speaking events that advocate for responsible and sustainable governance and has previously won numerous awards such being named one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining. Throughout her career, she has created many different women-focused programs to support local suppliers’ participation in the industry.

Andrew Bradbury, vice-president of investor relations and corporate development at Orla Mining, said: “Chafika’s award reflects Orla’s company-wide commitment to increasing all forms of equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization. We believe the best performing mining companies have diverse workforces that include broader perspectives and wider representation. We acknowledge that improved diversity and inclusion requires an active approach and consideration at all levels of the business. We must strive to make ongoing improvements and not become complacent. Chafika is an important leader in our efforts on equity and inclusion. We have made significant strides thus far in our young history and we are only getting started.”

Freda Campbell, community relations director at Skeena Resources, received the Indigenous Trailblazer award. A member of the Tahltan Nation, Crow Clan and Dekama Family, Campbell has dedicated over 25 years to empowering the Indigenous community within the mining industry and promoting innovation in Indigenous community engagement.

Related: The 100 women nominated for this year’s Global Inspirational Women in Mining are changing the way that the mining industry operates

The Indigenous Student Trailblazer award, sponsored by Sprott, was won by Emma Plant, a geodesy and geomatics student at the University of New Brunswick. Throughout her undergraduate degree, Plant has worked as a surveyor in the mining industry to monitor ground movement to ensure a safe working environment. Plant also spends her spare time volunteering in her community. Plant is of Ojibwe heritage and is part of the Pic Mobert First Nation band.

The Student Trailblazer award, sponsored by Dundee Precious Metals, was won by Kathryn Cheng, a geology specialist student at the University of Toronto. In her role as chair of the Women in Mining University of Toronto student chapter, Cheng has promoted the involvement of young women and visible minorities in the geosciences industry. Cheng also co-hosts a podcast, Earth News Interviews, where she discusses various issues within the geosciences industry.

Rachel Pineault, vice-president of human resources and community engagement at Treasury Metals, was the winner of the Rick Hutson Mentorship award. With over 25 years of experience in the mining industry, Pineault has successfully developed and implemented human resources and community initiatives to improve organizational practices in the sector. She is on the advisory board of Laurentian University’s International Goodman School of Mining, and is dedicated to fostering the next generation of passionate and motivated industry leaders.

Mélanie LaRoche-Boisvert, vice-chair of Women in Mining Canada, said, “The mining industry is facing a major labour shortage, and women could hold the key to addressing it. Currently, approximately 15 per cent of the Canadian mining industry labour force is made up of women; a number that is closer to five per cent when looking at technical roles. To get more women to work in the mining industry, we must ensure that the workplaces are diverse and inclusive, so that everyone feels valued, welcomed and supported. With more inclusive workplaces, retention of women currently working in the mining industry will improve, and recruitment of women to work in the mining industry will improve.”

The winners will be presented with their awards at Women in Mining Canada’s Mining for Diversity reception and awards ceremony, which will take place at the PDAC convention in Toronto on March 7.