• International Women in Mining Day

International Women in Mining Day is observed every year on June 15 to celebrate, recognize, and empower women working in the global mining sector.

 

Brief Description

International Women in Mining Day highlights the contributions, achievements, and challenges faced by women in the mining industry — a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.

Purpose of the Day

• 🌟 Celebrate the achievements of women in various mining roles: engineers, geologists, safety officers, leaders, and laborers

• ⚖️ Advocate for gender equity and safer, more inclusive workplaces

• 📚 Inspire young women to pursue careers in mining and related STEM fields

• 🤝 Support networking, mentoring, and professional development

Why It’s Important

• Women make up a small percentage of the global mining workforce (~15% or less in many regions).

• They often face barriers such as limited opportunities, workplace bias, and safety concerns.

• Inclusive mining practices lead to stronger innovation, safety, and sustainability.

How It’s Celebrated

• 🧾 Company statements, award ceremonies, and employee spotlights

• 🎤 Webinars and conferences with female leaders in mining

• 📸 Social media campaigns using #WomenInMiningDay or #IWiMDay

• 🛠️ Mentoring sessions and recruitment drives to attract more women into the sector

Background & Origins

• International Women in Mining Day was initiated by IWiM (International Women in Mining) — a global nonprofit organization supporting women in mining careers across more than 100 countries.

• It serves as a day of recognition for women working in all areas of mining: from field geology and heavy machinery operation to executive leadership and policy advocacy.

Key Themes of the Day

1. Recognition
   Honor the contributions and resilience of women in one of the world’s most rugged industries.

2. Representation
   Highlight women in all job levels—from entry-level technicians to mine managers and board members.

3. Reform
   Call attention to the systemic challenges like:

   • Gender-based discrimination or harassment

   • Unequal pay

   • Lack of maternity leave, restrooms, and protective gear suited for women

   • Safety concerns in underground mines

4. Inspiration & Mentorship
   Foster career growth, encourage young girls to pursue mining-related studies, and mentor early-career professionals.

How Organizations Celebrate

➤ Mining Companies

• Host internal events spotlighting women employees

• Share career stories and achievements via social media and websites

• Offer training on gender inclusivity and safe work environments

➤ Universities and Technical Schools

• Organize panels or lectures with women alumni from mining engineering or geology programs

• Promote mining careers to female STEM students

➤ Governments & NGOs

• Run national campaigns to raise awareness

• Support policy development for better workplace protections

• Fund scholarships or internship programs for women in mining

Current Landscape of Women in Mining

Area	Key Statistics
🌍 Global Workforce	Women represent 10–15% of the mining workforce globally
⚙️ Leadership Roles	Only a small percentage (~5–10%) of women hold executive positions in mining companies
🪨 Technical Fields	Women are underrepresented in engineering, surveying, drilling, and mine operations

Popular Hashtags and Campaigns

• #WomenInMiningDay

• #IWiMDay

• #MiningDiversity

• #SheShinesInMining

• #BreakingBarriers

Vision for the Future

International Women in Mining Day plays a crucial role in pushing toward:

• Equal opportunities in recruitment, promotions, and leadership

• Better work conditions for women in remote or underground mine sites

• Inclusive innovation—diverse teams build safer, more sustainable, and efficient mines

Notable Figures in Mining

Here are a few trailblazing women who’ve made history or are leading today:

• Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo (Ghana) – Advocate for gender inclusion in West Africa’s mining sector

• Catherine Raw – COO, North America, Barrick Gold

• Professor Dee Bradshaw – Influential researcher in minerals processing (South Africa)

• Andrea Brickey – Associate Professor of Mining Engineering, USA