| There has been keen focus by companies, employees, and governing bodies to welcome more women into the mining workforce. According to the Women in Mining in South AfricaFact Sheet, published by the Minerals Council of South Africa, the number of women working in the mining sector has increased significantly – from 11 400 in 2002 to around 54 100 in 2018.
In 2018 women represented 12% of the mining labour force, and this positive trajectory has continued to date. As an engineer, I often find myself conducting risk analyses and implementing control measures to limit exposure to risk – the topic of women in mining being no exception. Key risks to the workforce include the need to reduce personal insecurity, imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence. Often, the spotlight is shone on women who have the innate confidence to be successful in any industry anyway, mining included. |
How do we cater for and upskill women who are less sure of themselves and what is the risk if we do not? The risk, if we do not build the confidence of new employees entering the mining space is massive. If the industry creates opportunities for women without building their confidence, we will have an influx of competent, but ‘not-confident’ individuals, who meet all criteria but have a fatal flaw – insecurity. The problem with an insecure workforce is that it is not trusting and is typically defensive, which is damaging to company culture and team effectiveness.
How can we ensure that women who may need the support are enabled to build their confidence to lead, impact, and excel in the mining industry?
Here are 3 steps companies could take in 2023 to build confidence in their workforce:
Allocation of an internal senior mentor operating within the same functional area
As a young woman I have learned so much from my internal mentors in metallurgical engineering. Hearing experienced views on challenges I am facing has not only aided in resolving challenges, but has developed my ability to think problems through. It gives me confidence to know that I am developing along the right path.
Experiential learning and acting opportunities
Humans learn by doing – that is just how we work. When I first arrived on the mines after university, it was quite intimidating seeing the scale at which production took place – the differing technology, the number of people. I can honestly share that it was through picking up a hose pipe and washing the plant floor that I gained an understanding of how dense magnetite really is. It is one thing to read the density value of 5.17 g/cm3 but to truly understand, one must do. Acting in roles across the value chain support your understanding of the business and allows one to maximise their impact.
Soft skills courses on self-leadership
Publicly leading teams towards achieving production success is heralded and awarded by many. Leading oneself in the quiet of our minds – not so much. Nobody is there to give us the credit or encourage us toward the right neural pathways and so we need to have the right tools in our toolboxes to manage ourselves. Courses that teach employees how will offer great value to the individual and as a result, their teams, and the company they work for.
Developing the confidence of our competent workforce will unlock our superpowers. I have seen that confident women in the workplace are absolute powerhouses. It is however important to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. Confidence is believing in yourself. Arrogance is telling others you’re better than they are. Confidence inspires, arrogance destroys. I would add to that confidence is the ability to say that you do not know the answer but are willing to learn. As a confident person, you understand that your self-worth is inherent and is not tied to being right or proving that you are more learned. As such, you are free to search for the best solution to the problem, you are more willing to collaborate and share ideas.
As a young woman in mining, looking ahead, my vision for the ideal woman in mining is someone humble enough to know that they do not always have all the answers. Women who are competent and confident enough to think it through, collaborate and innovate towards the best solution. The future is exciting and full of opportunities, all we can do is work on being the best version of ourselves.
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