Integrating women into mining operations: the examples of Newmont Ghana and Lonmin South Africa

Mining has not always had good press in the development arena, due to a history of inadequate environmental and social governance. This short paper argues that there is enormous opportunity to be had in including women in mining operations. The author looks at how International Finance Corporations’ (IFC) Gender Program was able to implement strategies to help two IFC mining clients better integrate women into their operations. The author highlights how in so doing, IFC has contributed to the clients’ sustainability objectives and to improved performance through greater gender diversity. The document also shows how important it is to be flexible when dealing with clients who have different impulses and requirements, and how to leverage colleagues for greater mainstreaming.The paper considers how to identify the drivers and market realities and lists 3 lessons learnt in the process:

for quick wins, start by implementing feasible objectives derived from client priorities
partner with other IFC colleagues to amplify actions and ensure greater gender mainstreaming
listen, stay open to understand differing compulsions and strategies, and adjust and work in an incremental fashion, where required.