Modern Mining August 2025

Women working in key roles at the Venetia Underground Mine, highlighting the growing presence of female professionals in mining.

School girls playing wooden xylophone during music in Acacia Primary School, Botswana.

Cynthia Mosibudi, horticulturalist and owner of Mosibudi Trading Enterprise, on her farm in the Limpopo village of Bochum.

environment for women, from lack of proper facilities to limited career progression opportunities,” she says. “We have had to change that.” De Beers has responded with a comprehensive framework. This includes gender-sensitive PPE, upgraded site infrastructure, maternity support, flexible work policies and safety enhancements such as improved lighting and transport options. The company is also addressing retention by offering leadership development, coaching, reciprocal mentoring and secondment opportunities that provide women with critical operational and managerial exposure. Education is another cornerstone for De Beers. In Canada alone, over 100STEM scholarships have been awarded to young women, while partnerships with schools and universities across Southern Africa, Canada and the UK are helping to promote careers in mining to girls. More than 6,700 girls have already been engaged through STEM outreach to date. As part of its commitment to economic inclusion, De Beers is also extending its gender equity ambitions to the supply chain. “We are actively promoting women-owned businesses through our procurement policies,” Wheelock says. “Our impact needs to go beyond our internal workforce and must touch the communities around us.” This focus on transformation is deeply personal for Wheelock, whose own career is testament to De Beers’ commitment to developing women leaders. Having started in a junior HR role, she has worked across various stages of the diamond pipeline to

now hold one of the most senior people leadership roles in the business. “I owe my growth to wonderful leaders and mentors, a ‘can-do’ attitude and grabbing every opportunity that came my way,” she says. With a background in human resources and a passion for organisational effectiveness, Wheelock has been instrumental in shaping De Beers’ transformation strategy. “My strengths lie in authenticity, disciplined execution and finding creative people-centred solutions,” she reflects. “I believe in creating an environment where people can thrive as that is how we unlock human potential.” Under her guidance, together with collective leadership accountability, the company has taken major strides in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels. Her personal motto - “Go over, go under, go around or go through, but never ever give up” - echoes the spirit that De Beers is fostering across its operations. Ultimately, the company’s efforts are setting a new benchmark for the mining sector. With clear targets, accountability mechanisms and an unwavering belief in the value of inclusion, De Beers is demonstrating that gender equity is not only achievable but essential to the future of mining. “We are redefining the future of mining,” Wheelock says. “By creating pathways for women to succeed and lead, we are transforming our business and helping to build a more inclusive and sustainable industry.” n

AUGUST 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za  MODERN MINING  23