Why Women Are Leaving Mining and What We Can Do About It

Why Women Are Leaving Mining and What We Can…

by Angela McConnell

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lindsey Schultz sits down with Holly Burton — a former mining engineer turned executive coach and founder of WimD (Women in Male-Dominated Industries) — to unpack the complex, often invisible barriers that push women out of mining long before they’re ready to go.

Together, Lindsey and Holly dig into the statistics, including a sobering study showing that 60% of women in STEM leave by year 20 — with 40% gone by year 7, most citing boredom, underutilization, and lack of career pathways — not parenting or camp life.

Lindsey reflects on what she’s seeing as a recruiter: more women leaving corporate mining to become solopreneurs — not because they want to leave, but because they feel they have to. Coaching, the two agree, is one of the most underused and most powerful tools to help women navigate the system, build resilience, and stay on their own terms.

From strategy to salary negotiation, burnout to boardroom presence, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating sustainable, inclusive careers in mining. Whether you’re a woman navigating the system, a leader looking to retain talent, or simply someone who believes mining can do better — this conversation is filled with insight, courage, and hope.

Talk Outline:

[7:33] Personality reviews vs. performance reviews: barriers women face in mining
[11:35] The staggering 60% attrition rate for women in STEM by year 20
[18:50] The “electric fence” metaphor: navigating patriarchal systems at work
[40:32] Actionable resources vs. unhelpful “mutual fund” talks in women’s groups

Holly Burton

Executive Coach for Women in Male-Dominated Industries

Holly is an executive coach for women in male-dominated industries. She works one-on-one with ambitious women to help them lead, get promoted, and create the careers they actually want in industries they love.

As a mining engineer for the first ten years of her career, Holly was exposed to one of the most male-dominated spaces -- just 17% female. She uses the unique perspective she gained as a woman in mining, alongside her obsessive nerdiness for all things feminism, leadership, and career to help women create the working world they deserve while they wait for the rest of society to catch up.

Follow Holly: Website

Lindsey Schultz

CEO, MRC Recruiting

Lindsey Schultz is the CEO of MRC Recruiting, a firm that specializes in connecting top talent with premier companies in the mining sector. With a strong background in strategic recruitment and a passion for building meaningful relationships, Lindsey is dedicated to understanding the dynamic landscape of the industry.

Her role enables her to travel extensively, engage with industry leaders, and stay at the forefront of emerging trends that influence the future of mining. Despite facing impostor syndrome herself after choosing a career as a mining recruiter—recognizing she wasn't male, wasn't an engineer or deeply technical, and didn't have over 20 years of experience—Lindsey has turned these challenges into a platform for advocacy.

She is deeply committed to empowering women in the workforce, mentoring candidates, boosting their confidence, and helping them overcome similar feelings of doubt. Her expertise and personal journey not only make her a leader in recruitment but also an advocate for women aiming to excel in male-dominated industries.