WiPGMs and WiMSA Indaba Event, Cape Town – Feb 2023

In collaboration with Women in Mining we hosted an informal get together at the Women in Mining stand. It was a great opportunity to meet individuals in the mining sector and inform them of our upcoming mentor programme focused on the PGM value chain.

LBMA CEO Members Town Hall – March 2023

We are truly grateful to the LBMA who continues to promote our network and support our events and programmes. Ruth Crowell invited Wilma Swarts to share more about the Mentor Programme which was launched in this month.

Platinum Week – London – May 2023

The focus was on how hydrogen and platinum group mining had a symbiotic relationship. We were joined by Liz Rowsell, Joanna Richart, Yvonne Mfolo expertly lead and interviewed by Ellie McPherson.

Singapore Bullion Market Association – Singapore – June 2023

Zhuoying orchestrated an excellent opportunity in collaboration with the organisers of the SBMA to recognize women involved in the precious metals business – while the focus was Asia, we had a global audience.

Johnson Matthey Virtual PGM Conference – Web – June 2023

WiPGMs proudly sponsored a session at the PGM conference where Emma Schofield, put Wilma Swarts, Nelsa Martin, Marge Ryan and Jenny Watts through the paces of unpacking the uses of PGMs, the market balances and the implications of shifting demand and supply patterns.

Platinum Week New York – Sept 2023

Ruth Leland hosted Maria Piastre, Danielle Oliari and Jenny Luker to reflect on recycling, jewellery demand and the logistics and storage of PGMs during 2023. They also shared factors that impacted their careers.

LBMA Round tables – Barcelona – Oct 2023

After a powerful PGM session Women in PGMs hosted round table discussions on all matters PGMs. Emma Townsend and Wilma Swarts lead discussion on a broad range of topics from scarcity of iridium to satisfy the hydrogen economy to the risks of platinum from petroleum industry turning supply as the world shifts focus away from oil refining towards greener energy sources.

IPMI Conference – Vienna – Nov 2023

WiPGM sponsored and event in which Yana Stunis explore an OEMs perspective on recycling, how asset managers and their clients view holding physical PGMs and how recycling is impacting but the current market conditions. Aurelie Serre, Donna Verah-Walsh and Judy Daugherty shared valuable insights and thoughts.

(CPMIC) Precious Metals Forum – Shenzhen – Nov 2023

WiPGMs hosted an inaugural event in China at the China Precious Metals Industry Committee (CPMIC) Precious Metals Forum held in Shenzhen from November 15-17. A round table meeting, supported by CPMIC President Mr. Bian Jiang, focused on the evolving role of women in the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) industry in China. Approximately 20 women from diverse sectors, such as mining companies, refineries, recycling firms, market research entities, and trading companies, participated in the discussion.

We look forward to seeing you at all or any of our events lined up for this year.

• March – Closing event of Mentor Programme, Web
• May – London Platinum Week,
• June – 47th IPMI Conference, Orlando
• June – SBMA Conference
• July – Shanghai Platinum Week
• September – New York Platinum Week
• October – LBMA Conference, Miami
• November – Shenzen Recycling Conference

Please keep an eye out on our social media pages and website for further information.

We are proud to have created a bespoke cross-company mentoring programme curated and supported by Moving Ahead which initiated the development of 38 women from 33 organisations within the Platinum Group Metals sector in 2023. The aim of the programmes was to provide development opportunities for female mentees as well as reverse-mentoring opportunities and insights into the lived experiences of individuals from the mentee population for mentors. The overarching aim and strategic vision of this programme is to build up-and-coming talent, create bridges, connections, and grow the skillset of women in the WiPGMs network. By partnering women in the Platinum Group Metals industry with mentors from the same industry, both cross company and cross-sector, the intended outcomes for this programme are to provide individuals with an alternative perspective with which to review their goals and objectives. The cross-company nature of the programme enables participants to have confidential conversations in a non-judgemental space in which they can reflect and seek support and guidance with their mentor. We include some noteworthy quotes and statistics from our mid-point survey –

Quotes from Mentees
“The programme has been great to have a back-and-forth dialogue with a third party about how I can develop in my role. Since having these conversations, it has helped me develop a proposal about how to adjust my own position to reflect what I do every day, giving me the opportunity to expand in my role and opening new doors for me.”

“It helps a lot of rethinking about career growth. I’m stagnant in my current position and there’s no growth and no support at all. This mentorship reshaped my growth, personal and career-wise. I had a promising interview and I am waiting for a final response as I had to take an initiative step for growth. I have grown from this mentorship already.”

Statistics

• 35% of mentees have moved roles or expanded their responsibilities whilst on the programme
• 65% of mentees and 32% of mentors say their partner has sparked ideas to help their organisation
• 80% of mentees say their mentor has boosted their confidence

We remain ever grateful to our existing sponsors and welcome the addition of Auramet as global sponsor of the network. Auramet is a distinguished global physical precious metals merchant. Thanks to the incredible support from Auramet, Women in PGMs is set to soar even higher. We’re gearing up to amplify the impact of our global and regional events, and bolster our essential mentorship and outreach programs. Together, we’re forging a brighter path for women in the precious metals industry. This partnership resonates deeply with our vision and commitment to fostering growth, diversity, and empowerment. We’re beyond excited about the possibilities ahead and can’t wait to share the remarkable journey with all of you!

https://auramet.com/

During 2023 we increased the member platform by 67% to reach 187 members across 23 countries. Our member base represent the full value chain from mining, fabrication, trading to recycling. Within the database we have 49% of members willing to participate in events as speakers on their subject matter. We recognise that this platform is somewhat static. We currently use the platform to help source individuals keen to speak and present at conference and also to help connect women across the sector. During 2024 we will start looking at how we can expand this platform to keep our members informed of new roles and opportunities within the industry.

Ruth Leland joined as member of our board in March 2023. Ruth brings a wealth of experience and a global network to strengthen our team and our activities. Aside contributing to the main board, Ruth will also work with Sarah Masterson and Jenny Luker who looks after our Americas Chapter, to strengthen our reach and activities within this region.

The WiPGMs platform is created for you, our members, and we always love to get your feedback on content and events that you would like to see or hear from us.

Please don’t hesitate to send us your comments/ suggestions/ ideas – you can email us at info@wipgms.com or send us a message through the website on www.wipgms.com or our various social media sites, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular industry updates and member spot lights.

Please make sure to sign up to our Member Platform and if you are interested to receive further updates please let us know here. Click here

Stay safe and strong until next time…
The WiPGMs Board