Digging Deeper: The Crisis of Gender-Based Violence in Mining
Beneath the surface of the mining industry—a cornerstone of global economies—lies a troubling reality: gender-based violence (GBV). From the gold mines of South Africa to the cobalt fields of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), women and marginalized workers face harassment, assault, and abuse in environments that should offer opportunity, not danger. Our new 22-page report, Gender-Based Violence in the Mining Industry, dives into this crisis, exposing its scale, unpacking its impacts, and charting a path forward. What we’ve uncovered is both alarming and urgent—here’s why it matters and what’s being done about it.
What is GBV in Mining?
GBV is any act causing physical, sexual, or psychological harm based on gender, and in mining, it’s a pervasive shadow. Picture a woman miner in South Africa’s deep-level mines, kilometres underground, where sexual harassment is an “open secret”—unwanted comments, groping, even assault in spaces where help can’t reach (Oxpeckers, 2016). Or consider the DRC, where artisanal mining camps see women coerced into transactional sex just to survive, only to face violence from miners or local power brokers (IWIM, 2023). Domestic violence, too, spikes in mining communities, fuelled by shift work stress and alcohol abuse. Our report defines GBV as a systemic issue, rooted in the industry’s male-dominated culture (often 85-90% male), remote locations, and power imbalances that silence victims.
The toll is staggering. Victims suffer injuries, trauma like depression, and job loss—consequences that ripple into families and communities. Companies aren’t spared either: reputational damage, legal costs, and high turnover threaten their bottom line. As our report shows, mining’s GBV problem isn’t isolated—it rivals rates in construction, hospitality, and healthcare, industries marked by similar power dynamics (PMC, 2023).
A Global Snapshot: South Africa and the DRC
Our report’s case studies bring this crisis into sharp focus. In South Africa, where mining employs over 450,000, women—less than 15% of the workforce—report harassment at alarming rates: 60% in a 2023 survey (Industrial Union, 2023). Deep underground, isolation and a hyper-masculine culture let abusers thrive, despite new 2024 guidelines mandating prevention codes (Mondaq, 2024). In the DRC, artisanal mining’s chaos amplifies GBV, with 40% of women in mining areas affected, driven by poverty and lawlessness (ITCLIO, 2023). These stories aren’t outliers—they’re symptoms of a broader pattern.
The Stakes: Why GBV Hurts Everyone
For victims, the scars are deep. Physical harm—think STIs or injuries—pairs with psychological wounds like anxiety, while stigma and economic loss compound the pain. In the DRC, women lose not just safety but livelihoods in a region with few alternatives. For companies, the fallout is operational: scandals erode trust (think investors pulling out), legal battles drain resources, and morale plummets, making it tough to recruit talent—especially women, who could diversify the workforce (BSR, 2023). Our report compares mining to other sectors, finding its unique remoteness may heighten severity, a red flag for an industry already under scrutiny.
Fighting Back: What’s Being Done?
The good news? Mining companies are waking up. South Africa’s 2024 guideline is a start, pushing zero-tolerance policies and reporting systems (African Mining News, 2024). Training programs like Mine Shift’s DIGGER teach workers to intervene, shifting culture one workshop at a time (Mine Shift, 2025). In Colombia and the DRC, the RISE project empowers women miners, cutting GBV by 15% in pilot areas through education and economic independence (ARM, 2020). Big players like BHP aim for 50% female leadership by 2030, betting on diversity to break the cycle (BSR, 2023). These efforts mix reactive steps—handling incidents—with proactive ones, like prevention training.
But it’s not enough. Our report digs into the gaps: policies falter in small mines, data’s spotty (underreporting hides the truth), and macho attitudes resist change. Informal sectors, like the DRC’s artisanal sites, are largely ignored, leaving millions unprotected. Progress is real, but spotty—74% of women in Australia’s FIFO mines still report harassment despite initiatives (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2022).
A Way Forward: Hope in Action
So, what’s next? Our report doesn’t just spotlight the problem—it offers solutions. Scale up training, make reporting safe and anonymous, boost women into leadership, support informal miners, and team up with governments and NGOs. These aren’t pipe dreams—RISE’s success shows empowerment works, and South Africa’s guidelines prove policy can shift norms. It’ll take money, grit, and time, but the payoff? A mining industry where safety isn’t a privilege, but a right—and where companies thrive because of it.
Join the Movement
GBV in mining isn’t inevitable—it’s fixable. Our 22-page report, Gender-Based Violence in the Mining Industry, is your deep dive into the data, stories, and strategies shaping this fight. From the frontlines of South Africa to the DRC’s chaotic camps, it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about justice and sustainability. Ready to dig in? Download the full report on our eBook store for free and see how we can end this crisis together.
