Women In The Mining Industry

1. INTRODUCTION

It is during the dawn of democracy that women were allowed to pursue a career in mining, this is due to our nation establishing equality amongst men and women. This does not mean there were no women in the mines, most were employed to work on upper ground as chefs and cleaners but started working underground in 1996, as stated by M.Ralushai (2013), University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg. Women exclusion in mining is global this means its regardless of geographical location, all nations have this practice mainly due to the stereotype that women are not as physically fit as men thus will not survive. Mining is a male dominated industry, there were few or no opportunities, but until 1884, practices were established to promote

EXCLUSION OF WOMEN IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

2.1 Earlier exclusion of women in mining

Since the start of mining, due to the absence of machinery, strength was ideal in carrying out the work, this meant that women were of no choice since stereotypically men are stronger than women thus women will not be able to carry out task or would take longer since they are on as strong. Women in the mining industry were strongly prohibited in the 1800’s a little involvement started in the 21 century.

2.2 FEAR FOR CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY

Men in the mining industry fear the change in the industry, they feel that there is no need to involve women as there is more than enough men already. Some men even go as to say that employing a women won’t change that she is women, which means, her physical state won’t be able to bear with the conditions that the mine has to offer thus will frequently be on sick

This means women who are in leadership positions are finding it very difficult to be able to lead the males as they do not want to be headed by a women. Many men resist to have a leader who is a woman because they feel they can do a much better job since they feel they are more powerful forgetting it’s not always about strength but also the method of working.

3. INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

3.1 THE START OF INCLUSION OF WOME IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

After the apartheid in 1994, South Africa became determined to establish equality amongst men and women. It is in1996 when legislation were laid out that help promote the presence of women into the mining sector. There following Acts were laid out:

• The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Act, No 29 0f 1996

• The Mine Health and Safety Act, No 29 0f 1996

These Acts were introduced to lay out the best environment for women to be able to work and grow in this male dominated industry.

3.2 ELIMINATION OF SEXUAL