Some leading Canadian mining companies have united to support an initiative enabling 10 Afghan women scholars to pursue graduate studies in mining and geology at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
After completing their undergraduate degrees at universities in Kazakhstan in 2022, these women faced the expiration of their student visas and the prospect of returning to Afghanistan, now under Taliban rule.
Since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, banning girls from attending school beyond grade six.
In Afghanistan, it is illegal for women to attend university and for women to travel alone. Attempting to pass through passport control checkpoints without a male guardian would have posed significant risks to these young women.
Mining ındustry helps out
David Awram, Senior Vice President, and Imola Gotz, VP of Mining & Engineering at Sandstorm Gold Royalties (TSX: SSL; NYSE: SAND), first became aware of the challenges faced by 11 Afghan women students in 2022.
They collaborated with Friba Rezayee, founder of the non-profit Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), to work with UBC on securing emergency acceptance and student visas for the women. They coordinated with Kazakh officials and the Canadian Embassy to handle the cohort’s existing visa deadlines.
Nadine Miller, VP of Operational Technologies at JDS Mining, also joined the effort, rallying financial support from the mining industry.
The mining community responded generously, raising nearly $500,000 with contributions from founding donors Osisko Gold Royalties (TSX: OR; NYSE: OR), Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX: WPM; NYSE: WPM; LSE: WPM), and Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.A, TECK.B; NYSE: TECK), which also provided internships for the students. Pan American Silver (TSX: PAAS; NYSE: PAAS), Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL), and others also contributed. UBC departments unanimously offered their support, with 20 staff members dedicated to the initiative.
Ten women received student visas to travel to Canada, while one woman had to return to Afghanistan alone and has not been heard from since.
“Despite the uncertainty, everyone who heard the story became immediately engaged, sympathetic, and aware of the short timeline,” Awram said. “It was very heartwarming and rewarding to have so many volunteer their time and energy to help.”
“It is amazing to help these scholars achieve their desire for education in the mining industry,” Awram added. “Having motivated students pursuing technical degrees in mining with their unique perspectives is exactly what our industry needs. I hope the industry can provide a community and support network that allows them and future female scholars from Afghanistan to enter the world of mining.”
Celebrating student success
The cohort that completed their first semesters of graduate studies at UBC this month was celebrated at an event in Vancouver last Friday.
Friba Rezayee, founder of WLOT and the first Afghan female Olympian, who competed in judo in Athens in 2004 and is now a Canadian, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of removing barriers to education for female scholars banned from academia in their home countries.
“The only way to fight the Taliban is to educate girls,” Rezayee stated.
The women, whose identities are being withheld to protect their privacy and safety, cannot return to Afghanistan.
Nadine Miller emphasized the opportunities available in the mining industry, noting that the women’s academic achievements are already significant.
One of the scholars, enrolled in the master’s program in mining engineering at UBC, is researching how mineral processing can reduce plastic usage. Her goal is to pursue a career in project management focused on sustainable mining practices, and she has secured an internship at Teck.
Another student is working on a project related to water efficiency in mining, which has been approved for presentation at SME’s International Mineral Processing Congress in Washington D.C. in September. She is also preparing a paper on the impact of artisanal gold mining on water resources.
Scholars at Risk
UBC has formalized the program that began two years ago, naming it the Female Scholars at Risk initiative. This newly established program will provide a safe haven at UBC for women from around the world who are seeking to enter graduate studies but are trapped in situations of armed conflict, disaster, or other dangerous environments, in addition to supporting Afghan women.
In parallel with UBC’s initiative, Friba Rezayee has partnered with Laurentian University to create the WLOT Mining Engineering Program. This program will allow five Afghan women to begin a two-year study program leading to a Master’s in Geology or Mine Engineering starting in the fall of 2024.
After securing funding for entire two-year programs, Nadine Miller is now raising funds for the next cohort with WLOT and the former Afghan Minister of Mining, who is now a refugee in Canada.
“These are all women who have chosen mining as their industry,” Miller said in an interview. “Since the Taliban took over, they can never go home.”
“All these women already hold degrees in mining or geology. They’re incredible. They are very excited and are all set to graduate by December, needing to find jobs.”
The students are completing their internships this summer at Teck, working the maximum number of hours allowed by their visas.
Miller is also working on securing funding for student transportation to conduct research in the Yukon. She noted that WLOT and the former Afghan mining minister have identified about 600 displaced women worldwide as potential candidates for future cohorts.
“Our limitations on how many women we can bring in are funding and space,” Miller said.
“This goes beyond gender diversity. Current discussions at the board level are about diversity beyond gender. This initiative represents that. These women are our future board members.”