New Gold contributed $10,000 CAD to Diamonds in the Rough (DITR) to provide mine rescue training for an all-female team who competed at the 2024 International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC) in Colombia this September. This contribution through New Gold’s Community Investment Program demonstrates the Company’s belief that organizations are strengthened by embracing diversity and inclusion and aligns with the program’s strategy to invest in social and community development opportunities that reflect New Gold’s values.
DITR is a Canadian non-profit working to address the disparity of women in mining through mine rescue training opportunities. The organization is unique in that it provides an all-female training environment designed to meet the mental, physical, and intellectual needs of participants. Beyond training, DITR members compete at national and international mine rescue competitions.
“Diamonds in the Rough has demonstrated on an international level the competence, benefits, tenacity, leadership, and strength that women have in mine rescue and mining as a whole,” says DITR Managing Director Kari Lentowicz. “The women who have participated in our program leave with advanced mine rescue skills, confidence levels they never thought were possible, and extensive leadership ability.”
The inaugural DITR team competed in 2018 and became the first all-female team to ever compete at the IMRC. After competing in the Canadian Nationals in 2019 and the IMRC again in 2022, the team competed at the 2024 international event in Colombia. The team trained at the Western Virgina University Mining Extension and finished in the middle of the pack against all 22 teams. While the team performed strongly, the highlight of the competition was that for the first time, DITR was not the only all-female team competing. The 2024 IMRC had three all-female teams that were competing, more than quadrupling the number of female participants compared to the 2018 IMRC. Other teams were quick to give credit to DITR’s program and influence their ability to train and compete on an international level.
“New Gold’s contribution was instrumental in the success of our 2024 program,” said Kari. “Without strong supporters like New Gold that share our values and vision of increasing women in the mining industry, our achievements as well as the impact on participants and the international mine rescue community would not be possible.”
Beyond training and competitions, DITR actively engages to advance awareness on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. DITR has assisted mine rescue teams in other countries to strategize how to be more inclusive of women in mining and supported several all-female teams with mentorship resources. Looking beyond mine rescue, DITR leadership have presented internationally on their work and the impact prioritizing women in the workplace has on sustainable mining and safer workplaces. Additionally, DITR engages with youth to break down barriers in traditional gender roles and identify potential career paths in mining.
To learn more about Diamonds in the Rough, click here. If you would like to learn more about New Gold’s Community Investment Program, please visit Community Investment – Newgold Sustainability.
