The Women in Resources Action Plan (WRAP) was announced by QRC President John Pelger in a response to the skills shortage being experienced by the sector.

Currently women make up only 12 per cent of the mining workforce with only six per cent working in non-traditional roles.

"Our aim is to double that by 2020," said QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche.

"The resources sector provides exciting career prospects for women, but we need to increase awareness amongst females of the opportunities available and women already working in the industry are our best ambassadors."

One of the key features of the plan is to hold networking functions among women already in the industry and senior high school students.

Earlier this week, about 60 female high school students from Mount Isa and Cloncurry heard first-hand accounts of the opportunities available to them.

The sentiment is being echoed across the country. In May this year, the Mineral Councils of Australia and Federal Government held a world- first Women and Mining symposium in a bid to increase female participation in the minerals industry.

A report released at the conference made several key recommendations such as offering more part-time work or on-site accommodation for partners, and implementing dedicated mentoring, to attract and retain more women in the industry.

"As an industry we can increase the gender and cultural diversity of our workforce if we improve the methods we use to engage women in operational decision making," said Minerals Council Chief Executive Mitchell Hooke. 

"We need to create a working environment that is non-discriminatory and that values diversity and develop structures to maximise the community development benefits to women resulting from mining activities."