The role of women in the mining industry in Chaneng, Rustenburg, North West Province

Abstract

Regardless of the region, mining has always been a male-dominated sector. There have been several initiatives that have worked to increase the involvement of women in the business, but females are still vastly underrepresented. The purpose of this study is to firstly provide a contextual point of view of the complexities that accompany the integration of women into the mining industry; secondly, to determine workplace relations struggles; and thirdly, to give a critical evaluation of the role that women are playing within the mining industry. This study intends to contribute to the sustainable deployment of women in the mining industry based on their contribution to the sector. Through qualitative data collection and analysis methods, the study interviewed 15 women with different racial, educational and marital backgrounds. The common factor among the study participants in the present study is that they are all mining industry workers. It should be noted that the study found women to play different roles within the sector and these roles cover areas such as leadership, inventors, researchers, training and awareness. Nonetheless, the roles that women in this study play are always impeded by the challenges and segregation associated with the mining industry which is considered an industry for men