Anglo American subsidiary Kumba Iron Ore plans to increase the represent- ation of women in its workforce from 18% to 22% by the end of the year.

In an industry where woman form only 15% of the workforce, Kumba is dedicated to improving gender equality across its mining operations through mining skills development initiatives for its female workers.

“We have a strategy in place – one that forms part of our management philosophy – that is focused on improving our gender diversity in all areas and levels of our business. We also have supporting interventions in place to ensure an environment that is conducive to the integration of women at Kumba,” says Kumba Iron Ore public affairs executive head Yvonne Mfolo.

She says that transformation is a journey and maintains that the mining industry in South Africa has made significant strides in gender transformation, but that there is still room for improvement.

One such skills initiative at Kumba took place between April and July. Kumba put eight women through skills training at its Sishen operations.

The women – Lorato Mohutsiwa, Constance Buchwane, Doris Mosiane,Cecilia Ngakaemang, Gomolemo Mothibi, Boitumelo Mokwena,Bontle Dipole and Omphemetse Sephiri – are now qualified grader operators stationed at Kumba’s Sishen operation, in the Northern Cape, near the mining town of Kathu, where they are gaining experiential training.

Mfolo notes that it is not only the pink hardhats that set the group of newly qualified grader operators apart but also their enthusiasm.

Mohutsiwa, who will handle the machinery used to upgrade and cut roads around mining operations, says being a woman should not matter – all that matters is whether she can perform the job that she has been trained to do.

These trailblazers are not afraid of adversity, getting dirty or a challenge.

The challenges inherent in their new careers are not limited to the weight of the grader – they also have to coordinate their grading operations with the crew working around them.

The group’s training instructor, Thabiso Masegela, is excited about their chances of success. “The women are hard workers and are always ready with questions. With that attitude, they will undoubtedly be first-rate members of our operations team.”

Dipole says her future at Kumba is bright, as she believes that success is determined by the amount of effort put in, hard work, a good attitude, sheer determination and being passionate and devoted to making it to the top.

Mfolo says it is this shared commitment that resulted in Kumba being awarded with a Top National Engendered Company award in 2011.

Kumba Iron Ore CEO Norman Mbazima is proud of the strides the company has made in an industry that is traditionally regarded as male dominated.

“From our boardroom to our mines, we want women to be successful in the many rewarding career opportunities available in our industry. We do not regard it as giving women a chance to be equal to men; we regard it as laying the foundation for them to be exceptional,” he concludes.