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
Collections
- Faculty of Humanities [2033]