March 25th, 2024
Albemarle, one of the largest lithium producers in the world, signed a strategic agreement with Women in Mining Chile (WIM) to promote the inclusion of women in the industry.
This agreement seeks to provide value to the women of Albemarle through different initiatives such as networking, regional centers, mentoring, among others; thanks to a strategic plan worked on in conjunction with WIM, a non-profit organization that promotes the inclusion and professional development of women in all positions in the value chain, promoting and increasing their participation and visibility in the mining industry.
Angelique Araya, Seremi of Women and Gender Equality (S), Maritza Henríquez, Director of Finance of WIM, Roland Haemmerli, Vice President of Operations and Country Manager of Albemarle Chile and Albemarle workers participated in the signing ceremony of the agreement.
Angelique Araya, Seremi for Women and Gender Equality (S), said that “we want to highlight this initiative that the company has together with the women of WIM, especially because it takes place within the framework of 8M. Therefore, as a Government we want to congratulate this initiative so that they continue to motivate other women who work in the country's mining industry.”
“This agreement will allow us to continue training the women's team. We have grown sustainably, but without a doubt, having the support of WIM will allow us to continue enhancing the female presence to its maximum potential. We believe that this is not just about continuing to grow in numbers, but about continuing to develop the capabilities that the female team has, so that they can lead the company of the future,” said Roland Haemmerli, Vice President of Operations and Country Manager of Albemarle Chile.
For her part, Maritza Henríquez, Director of Finance of WIM, said that “this milestone is very important because we accompany women in their development, knowledge, talent and transversal skills through our different committees. We know that in the mining industry we have to be a reference, as is the lithium industry today, as is Albemarle, the largest multinational lithium producer in the world. If we are in this alliance, it is to empower each and every woman in the entire value chain of the industry.”
After the signing ceremony, representatives of WIM Chile and Antofagasta participated in a tour of Albemarle's La Negra chemical conversion plant, where they visited the thermal evaporator and the finished product warehouse, learning about part of the lithium production process in situ.