Mining plays a vital role in the economies of many African nations, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like Botswana, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) depend heavily on mineral exports—ranging from diamonds to cobalt—which make up 70–90% of their total exports. These resources fuel GDP growth, create jobs, and generate foreign income. Yet, one key group driving this sector remains largely invisible: women miners.
Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
In the informal and labor-intensive world of ASM, women make up nearly half of the estimated eight million workers. Using basic tools, they extract minerals that power everything from smartphones to solar panels. For many women, ASM offers better financial prospects than traditional sectors like farming, serving as a crucial path out of poverty.
Facing Systemic Barriers
Despite their numbers, women in mining face steep challenges. They’re often excluded from direct access to mining sites and pushed into low-paying roles such as stone sorting or water hauling. These jobs rarely lead to ownership or financial independence, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Beyond the mines, gender inequality persists. Women struggle to access financing, equipment, and legal mining titles. At home, they shoulder heavy domestic responsibilities, which drain their energy and limit their ability to grow their mining ventures.
Personal accounts from miners like Amina Tahiru in Ghana and Sarah Boniface Lusambagula in Tanzania reveal the emotional and economic toll of these barriers. From being cheated out of compensation to facing blackmail for asserting ownership, their stories highlight the urgent need for change.
Reform and Empowerment
Women miners aren’t waiting for change—they’re driving it. Grassroots movements like Renafem in the DRC are pushing for gender equity and women-led mining enterprises. As Congolese miner Bertha Bangala puts it, “If I own the pit and hire men, I become the boss. That changes everything.”
Reforms are gaining traction. Governments are beginning to implement gender-inclusive policies, and community-level initiatives are making a real impact. Programs like Ghana’s Girls for Mining Club and the Women in Mining Training Institute are preparing the next generation of female leaders in mining and engineering.
Looking Ahead
As global demand for minerals grows and African nations strive to reclaim control over their resources, ASM remains a double-edged sword—full of opportunity but fraught with risk. Empowering women miners through policy reform, education, and ownership is key to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
As the World Bank notes, those working at the heart of the energy transition should also reap its rewards. For sub-Saharan Africa, that means ensuring women miners are no longer overlooked—but recognized, supported, and celebrated.