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An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
Thesis (MSocSci (Development Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1869483749281890304 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Naidoo, Dhee |
| author_browse | Naidoo, Dhee |
| author_facet | Naidoo, Dhee |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (MSocSci (Development Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103127 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:03:56.628Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103127 An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa Naidoo, Dhee nkuli.nsibande@gmail.com Msinga, Nonkululeko UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Gender equality Mining sector Mining communities Skills development Compliance with regulations Engagement platforms Thesis (MSocSci (Development Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. The elusiveness of achieving gender equality within the mining industry is a well-known fact. Despite the various mining legislations that have been promulgated, the ability to achieve gender equality, especially in core mining activities, is still not attained. This study sought to establish whether there are constraints faced by the mining industry in failing to achieve gender equality in employment and if so, what these constraints are and how they can be addressed. The main objective of the study was to understand the challenges being faced by women working in the mining industry and those of women living in the mine communities surrounding the mining operations. An empirical study was conducted and qualitative research methods were utilised to gather the data. One-on-one interviews were conducted through the use of an interview guide. A total of 20 participants selected from the mine’s employees and the mine communities within the Emalahleni area took part in the research. There were 14 female research participants and six male participants. The participants occupy different levels within the mining industry and range from support services departments to core mining activities, i.e. operators, supervisors, foremen, superintendents and managers. Some of the mine community participants were unemployed and some self-employed. The research findings revealed that a number of factors need to be considered to achieve gender equality in the mining industry. The themes that emerged from the participating mine’s employees were that the gendered roles are still entrenched in the mining industry. The female research participants also found it difficult to maintain a work-life balance, based on the demanding nature of their work environment. Female mining employees were also not paid on a par with their male counterparts and they found it difficult to be promoted to senior positions. The community surrounding the mine was not prioritised for employment or any business opportunities. They also did not have proper engagement platforms with the mine, except through community forums. These communities were also negatively affected by the mining operations and experienced a decline in their health status, without the mine taking any remedial actions. The study made a number of recommendations to address the problem of gender inequality and ‘glass ceilings’ for women in mining. First, there was a need for improving the standard of education and skills development to ensure effective participation for women in the mining industry. Second, mining companies should become intentional about transformation and ensure compliance with government regulations. Third, the government needs to monitor the mining industry to ensure compliance with the regulations and enforce them. The study offers a basis for further research on this topic to enable the achievement of gender equality within the mining industry. Such research should examine the influence of different education and skills levels on job opportunities in the mining sector. Anthropology, Archaeology and Development Studies MSocSci (Development Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-05: Gender equality SDG-04: Quality Education 2025-07-02T13:46:00Z 2025-07-02T13:46:00Z 2025-08 2025-04 Thesis * S2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103127 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.29137010 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Gender equality Mining sector Mining communities Skills development Compliance with regulations Engagement platforms An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title | An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title_full | An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title_short | An investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry : a case of coal mining in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa |
| title_sort | investigation exploring gender inequality within the mining industry a case of coal mining in emalahleni mpumalanga province of south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Gender equality Mining sector Mining communities Skills development Compliance with regulations Engagement platforms |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103127 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.29137010 |