Canadian all-woman mine rescue group Diamonds in the Rough are the personification of grit, determination and pure female empowerment. We recently interviewed this inspirational – and, let’s be honest, just plain cool – group for the NAM Women in Mining spotlight.
By Donna Schmidt
It was 2016 when Saskatchewan mine rescuer Kari Lentowicz went to the International Mines Rescue Competition in Sudbury. There, watching the male-heavy global groups of mine rescuers take on the challenges of first aid, firefighting and more against one another, came the ideas that would combine to create the all-female Diamonds in the Rough mine rescue team.
It may not be the first all-women team in the industry, but it is the first for Canada – and the first to compete on that same international level, which it did for the first time in 2018 and most recently just before press time.
In September 2022, DITR took two awards home from the International Mines Rescue Competition held in Beaver, W.Va., at the MSHA Academy, beating out several other male-dominated teams from the U.S., Australia, Poland, India and more. DITR earned second place in rope rescue and third in theory and technician.
It has certainly escalated the level at which the group has set as its benchmark and is changing how the entire mining industry views what it means to be a miner.
“I think we’ll see more teams that have a higher percentage of women moving forward than what previously existed,” Lentowicz said. “We can do the work, we want to do the work, and we’re damn good at it. Anyone who says they can’t do it, simply hasn’t wanted to badly enough. If you set your mind to it, you can do anything.”
There are a certain set of skills needed by women in the mining industry, even as the industry community continues to broaden and diversify from its history as male-dominated. Consider this group to have that in spades.
Diamonds in the Rough has so far trained 20 women from different mine sites. This year it had eight team members: captain Heather Willis from Diavik Diamond Mines, Rio Tinto; vice-captain Breanne Pilon from Vale; Patricia Gagne from Vale; Amanda Roy from Agnico Eagle; Paige Clarke from Storey Environmental; Kirstin Hanson from Nutrien; Emily Lindstrom from Barkerville Gold Mines; and Justine Fuchs of Mosaic.
There is, additionally, a mixture of experience levels, making the ladies’ skills and performance – especially at the most recent IMRC – all the more poignant. Out of the eight members, five have three years of experience or less, two have four years, and one has 16 years in mine rescue. Overall, citing unofficial results, Diamonds placed fifth out of the 22 competing global teams.
North American Mining magazine recently saw the ladies in action during a visit to cover the IMRC event in West Virginia at the MSHA Academy. The Diamonds in the Rough members were eager to share their perspectives on mine rescue and how they are helping to share and change the future of mining.
Why do you think it is significant to have an all-woman mine rescue team in the industry today?
“I think it’s significant because women make up the workforce in mining today,” member Page Clarke said.
“Women in mining constantly need to prove themselves at work, to prove that they are just as capable as their male counterparts. Think that showing off our abilities on the world stage is a step in the direction where women are assumed to be as capable.” Added Lentowicz: “An all-woman mine rescue team shows the industry that they are not limited to one gender, nor one size when it comes to effective response. By showcasing what we can do physically and mentally under a stressful and hazardous environment, others will see the opportunity that is out there to incorporate a more diverse work force throughout the industry.
“It’s difficult to picture oneself in a role where there is no one that looks like you. Visible reflections of all minority groups are necessary to encourage minorities such as women and non-binary people to seek opportunities in the industry.”
Do you classify yourselves as role models or inspirations for those inside and outside the industry? Has anyone given you that kind of feedback?
“DITR had definitely provided inspiration that women can do anything,” said member Heather Willis. “I’ve been told by a number of people that their female relatives have been inspired or they’ve been more inspired to encourage their relatives that they can do anything!”
Added member Patricia Gagne: “My husband is my biggest supporter and tells me every day that I am Mia’s (my 3-year-old daughter) role model. When I’m at work, my other female co-workers often say that I’m a badass for doing what I do.”
Vice-captain Breanne Pilon noted that while she takes great pride in being involved in mine rescue, she doesn’t push herself for the recognition or to be classified as a role model. Her intent, like all of the women around her on the team, is forward-looking.
“I just want to show young girls and minority groups the same kind of support that I received growing up. I had very encouraging parents, and I know that was a privilege not afforded to everyone.”
Amanda Roy and Willis said they, along with their teammates, often get referred to as an inspiration.
“I do classify myself as a role model and an inspiration to others,” Roy said. “I’ve been told on occasion that I am resilient and that I make my community proud.” Added Willis: “DITR had definitely provided inspiration that women can do anything. I’ve been told by a number of people that their female relatives (wife, daughters, etc.) have been inspired or they’ve been more inspired to encourage their relatives that they can do anything.”
Why is mine rescue – and your excellence at it – important to your team?
“Being a part of mine rescue comes with a lot of responsibility,” said member Justine Fuchs. “With that being said, I want to do what I need to when I need to, confidently and efficiently. Being in the mining industry, you spend many, many hours with coworkers, and they become family. And I want them to feel comfort in knowing that in a time of unfortunate events, that I will do everything I can alongside my fellow mine rescue teammates to bring them to safety.”
“Mine rescue, first and foremost, is there to save lives,” Lindstrom explained.
“When you’re a female, it’s more than just doing your job, it’s being excellent and competent at and proving you deserve to be there, so miners have trust and confidence that you are there to help, it’s leaving no doubt in their minds that you can help and that in turn will help change people’s perspective on who is an ideal person for emergency services and will plow the way for future workforces.”
There is a great element of pride for Breanne Pilon, both as an individual and as part of something bigger.
“I wish to be that calming reassurance to the families of my colleagues when an in-mine emergency takes place,” she said.
“Mine rescue is also a very supportive and fun group of individuals to get to train and perform with. Whether you’re from Canada or across the globe, there is an unspoken bond between mine rescue volunteers.
Gagne agreed: “My excellence in mine rescue is extremely important to me because, when the phone call comes and I respond to a call, I want to be ready and know in full confidence that I am capable of doing the job. I [also] want my team to be confident in me and my abilities to do the job. When lives are at stake, there is no room for error.”
Hanson put it simply: “It’s important to me as it gives me the confidence to save a life at work or outside of work.”
How do you feel your group has/is/could change the future of our industry?
“I believe the Diamonds in the Rough are already changingthe bias attitudes that is still prevalent around the world,” said Randy De Cecco, co-founder and coach for the team (Bruce Coley also serves as a third co-founder and coach).
“Participating in the IMRC [this year] showcases what women are capable of on the world stage. It will only continue to grow and educate the industry in the coming years as the Diamonds in the Rough continue to compete and showcase their skills.”
Roy agreed. “An all-woman mine rescue team stands out with strength in numbers and represents equality within the industry. Our group has demonstrated proper techniques and proved that woman are just as capable as providing a rescue service in the industry.”
The heart of its for member Kirstin Hanson is changing the paradigm for future potential women in mining.
“[We are] breaking down boundaries and showing the future generartions that women can work together and accomplish just as much as men. New generations of women are more likely to apply for positions they were nervous of before.”
Lentowicz added that, in her opinion, it comes down to a main idea: they are proving women belong in what is traditionally a man’s world.
“Mine rescue is one of the oldest boy’s clubs in the industry. By breaking that barrier and showing how effective we are, we can change the mindset that, in order to be in the industry, you have to be a 300-pound man capable of lifting three times your weight. We aim to work smarter not harder – mining is no longer a process of that 300-lb. man going to a face to mine it with a pickaxe, nor should it be.”
Fuch’s opinion was that awareness is crucial, while Pilon called historic opinions “archaic” and in need of a significant change.
“I think we will create awareness that women are capable of anything especially with the right training and guidance and to not shy away from something you feel passionate about,” Fuchs said.
Gagne pointed out in summary that, whether or not it is in the mining industry, there are two keys on that ring of success for women that are non-negotiable: will and dedication.
“But things that are most important to you, don’t always come easy. Whatever work you do, always put 110% in. Sometimes it’s going to be hard, but it’s always worth it in the end. When you put your mind to it there is no stopping your possibilities.”
Amanda Roy agreed. “An all-woman mine rescue team stands out with strength in numbers and represents equality within the industry. Our group has demonstrated proper techniques and proved that woman are just as capable as providing a rescue service in the industry.”
Lentowicz added that, in her opinion, it comes down to a main idea: they are proving women belong in a man’s world.
“Mine rescue is one of the oldest boy’s clubs in the industry, by breaking that barrier and showing how effective we are, we can change the mindset that in order to be in the industry, you have to be a 300-pound man capable of lifting three times your weight. We aim to work smarter not harder – mining is no longer a process of that 300-lb. man going to a face to mine it with a pickaxe, nor should it be.”
Amanda Roy agreed. “An all-woman mine rescue team stands out with strength in numbers and represents equality within the industry. Our group has demonstrated proper techniques and proved that woman are just as capable as providing a rescue service in the industry.”
Lentowicz added that, in her opinion, it comes down to a main idea: they are proving women belong in a man’s world.
“Mine rescue is one of the oldest boy’s clubs in the industry, by breaking that barrier and showing how effective we are, we can change the mindset that in order to be in the industry, you have to be a 300-pound man capable of lifting three times your weight. We aim to work smarter not harder – mining is no longer a process of that 300-lb. man going to a face to mine it with a pickaxe, nor should it be.”
Gagne pointed out in summary that, whether or not it is in the mining industry, there are two keys on that ring of success for women that are non-negotiable: will and dedication.
“But things that are most important to you, don’t always come easy. Whatever work you do, always put 110% in. Sometimes it’s going to be hard, but it’s always worth it in the end. When you put your mind to it there is no stopping your possibilities.”