Nonprofit organisation Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) will exhibit alongside its UK-based counterpart, Women in Mining UK (WiMUK), at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba – to be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from February 6 to 9.

WiMSA will host speaking engagements and networking sessions, with representatives participating in key discussions for the mining industry, while WiMUK MD Dr Stacy Hope will be a speaker at the special focus event in partnership with the Women in Mining Panel on February 7.

“Our voices, thoughts and insights will be shared on various topics,” says WiMSA chairperson Raksha Naidoo.

She adds that the Mining Indaba will enable members to network with industry leaders to help shape changes in the industry and, consequently, improve working conditions for women working in the sector, thereby allowing for the retention of women in the industry.

Networking at the Indaba will also create more visibility for WiMSA, with Naidoo describing its participation as “absolutely essential” to enable more women working in the mining industry to become acquainted with the organisation.

“These conversations cannot be had without women leaders and WiMSA. We have forged key relationships with Mining Indaba organisers, the Hyve Group, and WiMSA will continue to play a key role at Mining Indaba and in key conversations. Women bring a different perspective to many topics, and we believe that this enables organisations to evolve into entities with a more holistic way of thinking and doing business,” says Naidoo.

She adds that the role of female leaders within organisations can help address the biases and stereotypes that women working in the industry face, thereby allowing for more robust policy changes, and new ways of working and streamlining operations and efficiencies.

WiMSA provides mentorship and emphasises the development of women in the mining industry to enable more women to feel confident in pursuing leadership roles.

“We are looking forward to being the change makers in the industry, to having our voices and insights heard and for continuing our mentorship journey to help develop future female leaders.

“When we stand up to fight the biases that exist, we are fighting not only for ourselves but also a community and a society at large. We at WiMSA are focused on creating a better society and a better world for women in mining,” Naidoo concludes.