Unleashing the power of women in mining

Mining has made progress in attracting more women to the sector, but the challenge now lies in retaining and empowering them. Tarynn Yatras, head of sales and service – Africa Screening Solutions at Sandvik Rock Processing, emphasises that diversity enhances decision-making and overall outcomes. Many mining companies, including Sandvik Rock Processing, have set targets for increasing gender diversity and are aligned with the goal of raising the proportion of women in managerial positions to one third by 2030.

However, attracting women to the industry requires creating an environment where they feel valued and have opportunities to grow and gain experience. Tarynn believes in developing an inclusive culture at work where women can make meaningful contributions and influence decisions. Small but continuous interventions and initiatives are necessary to establish a foundation for diversity, starting from the hiring process. Adjusting job advertisements to encourage more qualified women to apply can make a significant difference.

The perception of mining as manual labour is a barrier to attracting women, but advancements in technology and mechanisation are gradually addressing this issue. Sandvik Rock Processing’s bursary, internship and apprenticeship programmes help attract young women to the industry. To ensure their retention, it is crucial to make the workplace more conducive to women. 

Sandvik Rock Processing’s Africa Screening Solutions team has achieved promising results, with almost 50% of managerial roles occupied by women. Women also hold positions such as sales manager, central services director, human resources manager, legal manager and aftermarket sales support. The progress made serves as an example of leadership.

Part of the evolving work culture for better retention is to provide appropriate support for employees to balance their family roles. She notes that childcare roles are currently often more demanding for women than for men. Sandvik’s approach is to find productive and flexible solutions that allow women to return to their careers after childbirth – thereby building on their experience and value to the organisation.

By focusing on retention and empowerment, mining companies can give women a seat at the table, ensuring their voices are heard and their contributions are valued. This not only benefits the women themselves but also enhances the mining sector as a whole by harnessing the full potential of a diverse workforce.