Progress in implementing the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) provisions for the employment of women in mining

Abstract

The South African democratically-elected government instituted
 policies and legislation that are intended to bring about change and
 transformation in the country and have drastically affected different
 industries, among others, the mining industry. The Mineral and
 Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) and the
 Broad-based Socio-economic Empowerment Charter (Mining Charter)
 were introduced in order to redress previous inequalities and to
 promote women’s employment in the mining industry.
 This research evaluates the practical implementation of the
 MPRDA and the Mining Charter with specific reference to women in
 underground mining. A quantitative research paradigm was used. Data
 were collected through a process of a face-to-face interview surveys
 utilizing a structured questionnaire. The research setting was limited
 to the platinum-mining industry in the area of Rustenburg in the North
 West Province. The study population consisted of 195 available women
 working undergound at the mine.
 It is clear from the findings that mining companies are facing
 major challenges in their attempt to incorporate women in
 underground mining activities. Company policies regarding these
 issues must be firmly in place; however, the challenge lies in the
 translation of these policies into practice. In this regard, managers will
 have to play a leading role in the successful phasing in of women into
 the underground mining arena

http://www.saimm.co.za/Journal/v112n05p395.pdf