The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (28 of 2002) (MPRDA) and the
accompanied Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter aimed to rectify
previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provide for
the inclusion of women in core mining activities. According to the Act and the Charter, the
mining industry was supposed to reach a quota of 10% women in core mining activities by
2009. The amendment of the Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter for the
South African Mining and Minerals Industry (launched in 2010) set further requirements in
terms of employment equity targets; the Charter requires a 40% historically disadvantaged
South African representation in core and critical skills by 2015. Although well intended, the
establishment of gender equality in the male-dominant mining sector remains one of the
biggest equity challenges in the country and numerous problems accompany the
deployment of women in core mining activities.
Against this background, the main objective of the study was to critically analyse gender
issues in the mining sector and to subsequently develop a conceptual framework that will
enable the mining sector to contribute to and ensure the sustainable employment of
women in the mining sector. A literature review was done, firstly to provide an
understanding of persistent inequalities in society and the workplace, and secondly to gain
an in-depth understanding of the variables that have an impact on women in the world of
work in general and in the mining sector specifically. An empirical study was conducted to
determine and investigate relevant gender-related issues in the mining sector.
Quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews, focus group
discussions and direct observation) research paradigms were used.
From the literature review as well as the empirical study, it is evident that the deployment
of women in core positions is still accompanied by various challenges, not only for
managers but also for male co-workers as well as the women themselves. Although the
numbers of women in the South African mining industry have risen, there is still a long
way to go to successfully and sustainably ensure women‟s participation in the industry.
Through the literature study and the empirical research, it became clear that various factors need to be considered for the successful and sustainable deployment of women in
the mining sector. The study concludes by making recommendations and offering a
conceptual framework, with the main pillars being company policies, workplace
opportunities, infrastructure facilities, physical ability, health and safety and workplace
relations. This framework can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the
mining sector to contribute to the successful and sustainable deployment of women in the
mining sector. / PhD (Sociology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/12234 |
| Date | January 2013 |
| Creators | Botha, Dorothea |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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