Modern Mining August 2024

WOMEN IN MINING

The mining sector’s gender equity drive The mining sector in South Africa is actively pursuing gender equity targets, driven by policy mandates, legislation and industry initiatives. The mining sector, still dominated by men, aims for significant increases in female representation by 2025. This push for gender diversity is bolstered by legislative changes and strategic efforts from major mining companies, yet challenges in retention and pay equity persist.

Women fill about 12.1% of the C-suite positions across more than 2 000 global publicly traded mining companies.

Ntsiki Adonisi: head of natural resources and environment practice at ENS.

N tsiki Adonisi, who heads the natural resources and and inclusion progress. In accordance with S&P Global Commodity Insights, women fill about 12.1% of the C-suite positions across a universe of more than 2 000 global publicly traded mining companies. Women comprise 14% of all executive positions. Currently, in South Africa, we have approximately 72 000 women in the mining workforce, despite a higher proportion in tertiary education fields like environment practice at ENS, discusses the gains being made in the mining sector’s gender equity drive. She notes that the mining industry has made some diversity, equity

transparency in remuneration policies and ensuring equitable pay scales for all employees. The rise of women in leadership roles within the sector highlights progress in career advancement and leadership opportunities. Figures like Nolitha Fakude, Dr Nombasa Tsengwa and Mpumi Zikalala, exemplify this trend, holding key positions within the Minerals Council and major mining companies. The Minerals Council of South Africa also plays a pivotal role in advancing gender diversity through its initiatives. These initiatives promote inclusive workplace policies, address gender based violence, and create supportive environments that cater to the needs of female employees. Looking forward, the mining sector acknowledges that achieving gender equity governmental bodies, mining companies, and educational institutions – is essential to sustain and accelerate progress toward gender parity goals. In conclusion, while the mining sector in South Africa has made strides in integrating women into its workforce, achieving true gender equity remains a complex challenge. Continued efforts to enhance workplace inclusivity, ensure equitable pay, and support career advancement for women are crucial to realising the sector’s full potential and fostering a diverse and resilient industry landscape.  requires a cultural shift alongside policy changes. Industry-wide collaboration among stakeholders – including

mining engineering and geology. The industry faces the dual challenge of attracting more women and retaining them once employed. Key strategies to attract and retain female talent include having policies that promote gender equality, creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment, fighting against GBV, addressing safety concerns specific to women, and promoting automation and digitalisation at the mines. These efforts aim to make mining roles more accessible and appealing to women, who traditionally encountered physical barriers in heavy equipment operations.

The rise of women in leadership roles within the sector highlights progress in career advancement

and leadership opportunities.

Despite these advancements, pay disparity remains critical. Women often receive unequal remuneration for comparable work due to non-transparent pay structures and outdated gender norms. Efforts to bridge this gap include advocating for

24  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | AUGUST 2024