1.1 Our commitment

MinSouth is a community that brings people together to support mining and minerals related professionals in London and the South East of England, to influence the wider public, to support the IOM3 in its objectives as well as supporting the educational system for the development of the next generation of mining professionals. Our events, from technical talks, panel discussions, short courses and workshops to networking drinks and receptions, are places where people should feel safe, welcome and able to take part fully.

We are committed to providing a professional, respectful and welcoming environment for everyone who takes part in MinSouth activities, regardless of age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion or belief, language, citizenship or immigration status, disability, neurodiversity, physical appearance, family status, socio-economic background, career stage or seniority, or any other characteristic.

This Code of Conduct sets out the behaviour we expect, the behaviour we will not accept, and how to raise a concern if you experience or witness behaviour that does not meet these standards.

1.2 Who and what this Code applies to

This Code applies to everyone taking part in MinSouth activities, including members, attendees, guests, speakers, panellists, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, mentors and mentees, committee members, and staff.

It applies to all MinSouth activities wherever they are held, including:

• Conferences, technical talks, panel events, short courses and workshops, site visits and awards
• Networking receptions, drinks events, dinners and other social gatherings, including informal continuations of an event at a nearby venue
• Our meetings and any other one-to-one MinSouth activity
• Online events, our social media channels, mailing lists, and community forums

1.3 The behaviour we expect

By embracing the following principles, you help make MinSouth a community people want to be part of and feel safe being a part of.

• Be welcoming. Our events attract people at every stage of their career and from every part of the industry. Make room in the conversation for people you do not know, and be conscious of anyone standing on the edge of a group.
• Be respectful. We will not all agree all of the time, but disagreement is never an excuse for poor behaviour or poor manners.
• Be considerate. We are a diverse community. You may be speaking with someone whose first language, culture, professional background or personal circumstances differ from your own.
• Be careful in the words you choose. Comments that are demeaning, sexualised or exclusionary are not made acceptable by being framed as a joke, a compliment, or “just banter”.
• Respect personal and professional boundaries. Ask before touching anyone, including hugs. Take “no”, a change of subject, or a step away as an answer, first time. If someone asks you to stop what you are doing, stop.
• Look out for one another. If you see behaviour that makes someone uncomfortable, and it is safe to do so, step in, offer support, or tell a member of the MinSouth council.
• Take responsibility. A prompt, sincere apology can de-escalate a situation and does not, in itself, imply an admission of guilt. We recognise that impact is not always intended. Where harm has been felt, we focus first on understanding and resolving the impact.

1.4 The behaviour we will not accept

The following behaviours are not tolerated at any MinSouth activity:

Safety, harassment and intimidation

• Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment. This includes unwelcome sexual attention, advances, propositions or innuendo, comments about a person’s body or appearance, leering, and persistent unwanted contact, whether in person, by message or on social media.
• Unwanted physical contact of any kind.
• Deliberate intimidation, bullying, stalking or following.
• Violent language, threats, or advocating for or encouraging any of the above.

Discrimination and respect

• Discriminatory, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise exclusionary comments or “jokes”.
• Personal insults, demeaning or patronising behaviour, or comments that undermine someone on the basis of their gender, seniority, or background.

Privacy and confidentiality

• Photography, filming or recording of an individual without their consent, or sharing images of attendees without their consent.
• Sharing, or threatening to share, someone’s personal information or private communications without their consent.

Integrity of our community

• Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith, or against anyone who supports them.
• Sustained disruption of talks or other MinSouth activities.

1.5 Alcohol and social events

Many of our events are held in the evening and alcohol is often served. MinSouth events are professional occasions, and are attended by colleagues, clients, employers and potential employers.

• Being under the influence of alcohol is never a defence or an excuse for behaviour that breaches this Code, and it will not be treated as a mitigating factor.
• Do not pressure anyone to drink. Non-alcoholic options will always be available and clearly offered at MinSouth events.
• MinSouth reserves the right to ask anyone whose behaviour is causing concern to leave an event.

1.6 Raising a concern

If you experience or witness behaviour that breaches this Code, we request that you inform us. You do not have to be certain, and you do not have to have been the person directly affected.

• At MinSouth-organised events: speak to any member of the MinSouth council or the event organiser. If you would prefer not to approach someone in person, you can message or email one of the team during the event.
• At any time: email contact@minsouth.org.uk   Reports to this address shall be handled confidentially.
• If your concern involves a member of the MinSouth council or organiser, you can raise it directly via the president or another member of the council and it will be handled independently of the person concerned.

Not every situation needs a formal process. Sometimes a quiet, friendly but clear word resolves a misunderstanding. But you should never feel that you have to handle a situation yourself, and you should not have to weigh up whether something is “serious enough” before sharing with us and receiving support.

Reports will be handled sensitively and confidentially. We will not share your identity or the details of your report more widely than is necessary to consider it fairly for all parties, and we will not take any action that you have not been informed of first, except where we judge there is a risk to someone’s safety or we are required to act by law. You can also ask us simply to record a concern without taking any further action at this stage.

1.7 How we will respond

When a concern is raised, the designated contacts will:

• Speak first with the person raising the concern, and make sure they are safe and supported and that the concern is understood.
• Where appropriate, speak with any witnesses and then with the person whose behaviour is in question, so that they have a fair opportunity to respond.
• Decide on a proportionate course of action, and inform the person or persons that raised the concern of the outcome so far as we properly can.
• MinSouth will seek to deal with concerns promptly and proportionately.

Depending on the seriousness of the breach of this Code, action may include:

• An informal conversation and a request to change the behaviour.
• A formal written warning.
• Immediate removal from the event or venue.
• Exclusion from future MinSouth events and activities, for a defined period or permanently.
• Withdrawal of speaking, sponsorship, exhibitor or volunteer opportunities.
• Where the behaviour may also amount to professional misconduct, notification of the individual’s employer or professional body.
• Where there is an indication of a legal breach, referral to the police and MinSouth will co-operate fully with any criminal or civil investigation arising from an incident at one of our events.

Decisions on exclusion from MinSouth activities are taken by the Council and recorded in writing.

1.8 Review

This Code of Conduct was approved by the MinSouth council in September 2026 and will be reviewed annually, or sooner if experience shows it needs to change. Comments and suggestions are welcome at any time by contacting a member of council.