Drive in mining to include women, legal expert

There is a real drive to include women in mining, which is apparent in the 2018 Mining Charter, with the requirement for mining companies to include women at all levels of employment, as well as at shareholding level, according to Lili Nupen, of boutique law firm Nupen Staude de Vries, which specialises in construction, mining and environmental law.

In her view, there has been a significant shift in the mining industry since Minister Gwede Mantashe took the lead at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

We're experiencing a newfound feeling of collaboration, and a willingness to listen and engage with all stakeholders within the industry. It is evident that there is a focus on diversifying the industry to ensure such participation by women, despite the complexities of the underground environment," she tells Fin24.

"From an increase in the appointment of women CEOs at mining companies, to benefiting from a compliance perspective in the procurement phase, and as specific targets are continuously being set for greater inclusion of women at all levels of employment (from board level all the way to junior management). There is a gap for women to step up to the plate make great strides in all facets of the industry."

Asked what are the challenges for women in mining and how can it be solved, she says, historically, the mining industry is typically male-dominated and has been since its inception. However, she found that mining companies are increasingly utilising the skills of women as a result of their invaluable expertise and industry knowledge.

In her view, this means that there are significant opportunities for women to build businesses that support various elements of mining, above ground, in training and development, equipment supply, as consulting engineers, legal representatives or in meeting other requirements that mining houses have.

"As it creates new strategies for survival, the industry needs to diversify more than just its product mix. It needs to embrace viewpoints provided by bright, passionate, and exciting new role players – many of whom are women," she says.

"It's time for women in mining to stand up and be heard, to showcase their insights and expertise, and to add their considerable value to conversations – and actions – about the future of mining in South Africa and elsewhere in the world."