Mining, a male-dominated sector, requires more than just policies on paper to create a safe and inclusive workspace. The presence of allies, or strong partners who actively support, respect, and maintain safe spaces, is the main key to transforming the culture of the work environment.

Even though the proportion of male workers tends to be dominant, the tangible contributions of female workers in the field and operational areas continue to strengthen the industry's sustainability. However, challenges related to professional boundaries and the risk of sexual harassment in the workplace cannot be solved by women alone.

Seeing the importance of the active role of all employees as allies (strong partners), PT Kalimantan Prima Persada (KPP MINING) collaborated with the Never Okay Project (NOP) to hold a Sharing Knowledge (SHARK!) webinar session entitled "INCREDIBLE SHARK!: Becoming a Strong Partner for a Safe and Inclusive Workspace #WomenBehindMining" on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Why Is the Ally Role So Crucial in the Mining Industry?

In a work structure heavy with masculine culture, the issue of sexual harassment is often ignored or dismissed as casual banter (banter). The presence of an ally, especially male colleagues, becomes highly vital to break the chain of this unhealthy behavior.

Being an ally does not mean taking over the space of female workers, but rather using one's position and influence to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, safely, and respectfully, regardless of gender.

Sexual Harassment 101: Education and Professional Boundaries

Never Okay Project presented the Sexual Harassment 101 material, which was designed to open a comprehensive insight for all participants.

The presentation covered how to understand and recognize forms of harassment, aligning perceptions regarding reasonable boundaries in interactions between employees, providing a real picture of the dynamics of assistance in handling cases, as well as discussing the importance of taking on the role of an "ally" mentioned earlier.

Practical Steps to Become an Ally at a Mining Site

To become an ally, Never Okay Project recommends several things that can be done, including:

• Always respecting personal space and professional boundaries

• Daring to call out or stop sexual and degrading jokes

• Supporting and accompanying victims to make a report if needed

• Encouraging the company to regulate policies and monitor their implementation

The steps taken by KPP MINING through the HCD Department and CorpComm in facilitating this educational program confirm that occupational safety is not limited to technical and operational HSE aspects alone, but also includes psychological protection and respect for the dignity of every individual.

In this interactive session attended by 158 participants, the Never Okay Project expressed its highest appreciation to KPP MINING and all participants who actively attended. Hopefully, this synergy will spark enthusiasm for all mining personnel to continue to be strong partners for the creation of an industry that is safe, inclusive, and free from sexual harassment!