Written by Jackie Casburn, Canadian Mining Magazine
As discussed in the Winter 2025 issue of Canadian Mining Magazine, it wasn’t until 1978 that women were allowed in operation positions in underground mining. This happened after changes to Canada’s Human Rights Act in 1977 included gender as grounds for discrimination.
Alina Antonie, Director of Women in Mining Canada, and VP, Risk at Torex Gold, said in an interview, “The industry is making continuous efforts to increase the proportion of women in mining, but success will require more efforts at both recruitment and retention.” She adds, “Equity, not equality, is the key word here, as women need more support on their paths to success.”
Women In Mining Canada (WIM Canada) hosts the Trailblazer Awards annually at PDAC to recognize five women who are breaking barriers, paving paths, and being ‘trailblazers’ in the industry.
As noted on the Trailblazer Awards website, the award, “recognizes women who embody the trailblazing spirit, which refers to the leadership mindset needed to make extraordinary personal strides to navigate the Canadian mining industry.”
Mentoring the next generation of women in mining

Rachel Cranford, Principal, Operations Leader – Mining, Mineral and Metals, Stantec, and the 2024 Rick Hutson Mentorship Award winner, says that, “Being a mentor means creating a safe space for learning and exposure to new opportunities. I have always been a proponent of continuous learning. Mentorship is a key component of that, and that feeds my passion in this space.”
“A mentor / mentee relationship should be approached as a two-way opportunity to learn from each other,” Cranford explains. “This approach allows for new ideas to mix with experience, and therefore, builds a better outcome.”
“It is about being present, providing advice, and being open to learning as well.”
Cranford notes that, “We all need to be open to new ideas, to having mentors and mentees that can teach us as well as challenge us in new ways.”
Looking to the future, Cranford looks at her past, explaining, “Prior to moving to North Bay, I did not know about the mining industry, what careers were available, or what education would be needed. It wasn’t at all on my radar.”
Thinking back, Cranford said, “I remember ‘mining’ chocolate chips out of cookies and that was the extent of my exposure to the mining industry. I do think it is important to provide early exposure to students to learn more about the industry. That way, they know it is an option.”
Cranford adds, “Through my work with the CIM Northern Gateway Branch, I have had the opportunity to learn about and support programs such as Mining Matters, which engages both students and educators with hands-on learning in mining.”
“The mining industry, as with many industries, is facing a talent shortage in extreme numbers. Not only do we need to be creating talent, but we also need it to be diverse so we can combine various experiences and innovative ideas to find safe efficiencies with a leaner workforce,” says Cranford.
In 2024, Cranford participated in the MineOpportunity Challenge in North Bay, which exposes high school students to careers in mining.
“I would like to see more of these activities taking place across Canada, along with volunteers from the industry participating,” says Cranford. “The more that the future generation can see representation, the more they can see how they themselves fit into the industry.”
“Representation really does matter,” Canford adds.
Breaking barriers for Indigenous women

Marge Fraser, Owner, Northern Labour Services Ltd., and Co-owner, Khotin Construction, is the 2024 Indigenous Trailblazer Award Winner.
Fraser is a member of the Etzenlee Family, affiliated with the Chiyone (Wolf) Clan of the Tahltan Nation. She takes great pride in championing Indigenous hires and ensuring gender pay equity.
Fraser explains, “Northern Labour Services is 100 per cent owned and operated by me. 90 to 95% of my hires are First Nations.” She adds, “Our people were not hired (in the past). Very competent hard-working employees had no work, especially women.”
Fraser was the first office manager, and bookkeeper of Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), and played a pivotal role in the establishment of the company.
She also holds certification as an alcohol and drug counsellor so she can support her employees, particularly those residing in remote camp settings. Fraser describes these certifications as being an absolute asset to have, especially when dealing with the isolation that many must face in the industry. She also sat on the apprenticeship board for British Columbia for more than four years.
For Fraser, being a champion for all women in the mining sector is an important part of everything she does. She explains, “My mother was our first equal opportunity employer, she [her mother] said there was no such thing as women’s work and men’s work, there’s just work… go get it done.”
Fraser’s daughter is CEO of Khotin Construction and her granddaughter is a part owner of, and is also an industrial electrician. She also has a niece that is working at mining camps.
Fraser explains what she would like to see for the future of women in the industry: “More education to make young women realize that you just have to apply and be willing to work.”

Women in Mining invites you to future events
Women In Mining Canada holds many events throughout the year to champion women in the industry through education, meetings, and other events. If you would like to learn more and take part in these events go to their website: https://wimcanada.org/events/
The 2025 Trailblazer’s will be announced at the PDAC Convention March 4, 4:30-6 PM, in Room 106. The event is open to all pass types. Learn more here: https://pdac.ca/convention-2025/events-networking-2025/mining-for-diversity-event-2025
If you would like to nominate a Trailblazer for the future, you can find more information on the WIM Canada website at https://wimcanada.org/trailblazer-awards/ or follow WIM on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Congratulations to all past and future Trailblazers. You truly are blazing a path for the future of women in mining.

About Women in Mining Canada
As Canada’s leading organization for Women in Mining, the organization envisions an industry that fosters, promotes, and empowers women, and sees a future where the possibilities, opportunities and goals are similar for all, regardless of gender.