In this episode, Rob chats to Sam Retallack, Head of People and Culture at Independence Group (IGO), a leading ASX-listed exploration and mining company based in Perth, who have a strategic focus on high quality assets of scale and longevity including Gold, Nickel/Copper assets in WA and exploration developments in WA & NT. 
Sam has been in human resources for a number of years and joined IGO back in 2012, and so has a wealth of experience in workforce culture and a deep understanding of what mining companies need to do to change to develop and grow with this ever-changing world we live in. 
We talk about what companies need to do to improve their culture, how they can do it, and the challenges that mining companies face in getting this right?
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Having come from a very different background to many in the mining industry, Sam has a unique perspective based upon many different forms of business.
People and culture is the thing that enables the rest of the business. There is no achievement of strategy without the people. Sam’s role is to oversee the building of the people relations and culture, and believes it is the bedrock of all things they do.
The public perception of the mining industry puts many off from joining it. People still see it as a male-dominated, dangerous and very physical industry, which it can be. But things have changed dramatically over the years. Mining now includes a wealth and breadth of different pursuits. Education on this subject is paramount.
There are no good or bad cultures. There are only appropriate and inappropriate cultures. Some companies require different cultures, and it’s a case of finding the right people for the right culture in the right business.
Strategy and culture need to go hand in hand. People will choose their own culture anyway, which may go against your chosen strategy. It’s difficult to herd your people back into line once this happens.
As an organisation, you need complete reviews of what is working and what isn’t, but it needs to be ongoing and organic. The old concept of a post-action review just can’t be done that well or effectively.
Mining companies can improve their cultures by looking seriously at two things: 
Co-creation - you must ask the questions and listen to the responses from your people. Then grow it with their help.
Examine your leadership - If your leaders aren’t emotionally mature enough to embrace co-creation, then you’ll never achieve an effective culture.

.BEST MOMENTS
‘I come from a very untraditional mining background’
’There is no achievement of strategy without the people’
‘Mining is a sustaining career’
’There are no good or bad cultures’
‘People are tribal. Humans are tribal'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
 
Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast on iTunes
Sam Retallack is going to be speaking at the upcoming IMARC Conference in Melbourne from 29-31st October, where she will be on a panel of speakers discussing: What stops us from implementing change in our workforces AND How do we overcome the non-technical issues to achieve business transformation, innovation and a workforce of the future? 
Dig Deep has partnered with the International Mining and Resources Conference event in Melbourne where global mining leaders connect with technology, finance and the future. Now in its 6th year, it is Australia’s largest mining event bringing together over 7000 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, investors, commodity buyers, technical experts, innovators and educators from over 100 countries to Melbourne for four days of learning, deal-making and unparalleled networking.
All Dig Deep listeners can receive 10% off tickets when you register with the discount code DIGDEEP. 
Visit the website to purchase your ticket: https://imarcmelbourne.com/
Independence Group - https://www.igo.com.au
Sam Retallack - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-retallack-69151819/?originalSubdomain=au
ABOUT THE HOST
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarryi