“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” – WEB Du Bois

Women have long been part of the mining industry’s story—often hidden figures whose contributions were overlooked. Today, at gold mining company Harmony, women are not merely participating in the sector; they are leading its transformation. From underground innovation to sustainability leadership, women at Harmony are driving progress across every facet of the business, ensuring that mining becomes a safe, sustainable and inclusive industry for all.

Women’s Evolving Role in Mining
Historically, women’s presence in mining stretches back centuries—from small-scale panning and ore processing in pre-industrial societies to crucial wartime roles in 20th-century Europe and the Soviet Union. Despite societal and legal barriers, pioneering women like Pili Hussein, who disguised herself as a man to mine Tanzanite in Tanzania in the early 1990s, proved that resilience and determination could overcome even the deepest cultural restrictions.

Fast forward to today, and women comprise more than 15% of South Africa’s mining workforce. At Harmony, the ambition is far greater. The company is actively working to grow this figure to 30% by 2030, with deliberate strategies to elevate women into critical technical and leadership roles.

Harmony’s Sustainability Framework
Harmony’s purpose is clear: to create shared value for all stakeholders and build a lasting positive legacy. Central to this vision is the Harmony Sustainability Framework—a blueprint for transforming the business into a data-driven, carbon-neutral, nature-positive, ethical and thriving enterprise.

Embedded within this framework is a focus on diversity and inclusion. Harmony ensures that sustainability metrics—including gender diversity—are woven into organisational key performance indicators, governance systems, and leadership accountability.

Fostering an Inclusive Workplace
Harmony recognises that inclusivity goes beyond quotas. It is about creating an environment where women feel safe, supported and able to thrive.

Key initiatives include:

• Women in Mining Forums: Established across all Harmony operations, these forums advocate for gender-sensitive policies, provide platforms for women’s voices, and help shape organisational culture.
• Dedicated Safety Measures: The underground environment poses unique challenges for women. Harmony’s innovative solutions include:
  • Mponeng emergency sanitary towel vending machine: The first of its kind underground, ensuring women have access to essential sanitary products without disrupting their workday.
  • Underground illumination project: Improved instope lighting makes underground conditions safer by reducing hazards and supporting visibility—a critical step in enhancing safety and deterring harassment.
  • Enhanced facilities: The company has invested in separate, well-maintained ablution and change facilities for women underground, alongside initiatives like PPE specifically designed for women and surveillance in remote areas.
• Anti-Sexual Harassment Measures: Harmony has trained 33 nominated anti-sexual harassment officers across all operations and introduced comprehensive workplace harassment policies. Ongoing training on unconscious bias, bullying and gender-based violence ensures a culture of respect and accountability.
• Health Campaigns: Programmes targeting women’s health contribute to holistic well-being and empowerment, addressing both physical and mental health needs.

Supporting Women Beyond the Mine
Harmony understands that empowering women in mining extends beyond the workplace and into the communities where its employees live.

• Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) response: Harmony has pledged R1-million yearly over three years to national partnerships combatting GBVF in mining communities. Support includes collaborations with organisations such as the GBVF Response Fund and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Thuthuzela care centres.
• Enterprise supplier development: Harmony is committed to empowering black, female-owned businesses through enterprise and supplier development programmes. Success stories include companies like Tailor Made and Glorificar Trading, which have flourished with Harmony’s support, demonstrating how inclusive procurement can transform local economies and women’s economic empowerment.

Women Driving Net Zero Goals
Women at Harmony are not only shaping operations—they are also crucial in steering the company towards its environmental goals.
Harmony is advancing decisively on its journey toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Renewable energy projects are gathering momentum:

• FY23 energy generation reached 70 GWh.
• By FY26, this figure is set to rise to 130 GWh, with 100 MW constructed on Harmony’s balance sheet and 37 MW delivered via independent power producers.
• The combined phases of the renewable energy programme are expected to generate savings of R425-million a year.

As Harmony accelerates toward a greener future, women are at the forefront of projects ensuring sustainable, climate-resilient mining operations. Their leadership and technical skills are pivotal in driving innovation and implementing nature-positive solutions across Harmony’s portfolio.

Ambitious Targets for Women’s Empowerment
Harmony’s journey is far from over. The company has laid out clear and measurable targets for the years ahead:

• 30% women representation by 2030: Building from a current base of 20%, Harmony aims for an intentional 2% increase year-on-year. This goal includes raising the number of women in decision-making and technical roles.
• Talent development and succession planning: Harmony is aligning its retirement replacement plans with gender diversity strategies, ensuring women are represented across critical disciplines like mining, engineering, metallurgy and ore reserve technology.
• Career development panels: These panels define clear, SMART career progression goals for women, backed by coaching, mentorship and leadership development programmes.
• Hybrid and flexible work models: To support work-life balance and retain talented women, Harmony has introduced flexible work arrangements and revised maternity policies, including longer lactation periods post-birth.

Harmony’s commitment to gender equality is not just about compliance—it is about competitive advantage and moral leadership. The company’s inclusion in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for six consecutive years is a testament to the progress it has made. With an overall score of 71.7%—including a perfect 100% for disclosure—Harmony stands among global leaders in advancing gender equality.

For Harmony, women in mining is more than a theme—it is a transformative force shaping the industry’s future. Whether underground or in boardrooms, Harmony’s women are driving sustainability, innovation and social progress. They are the voice of resilience and the hands behind positive change, ensuring mining remains not only a pillar of the economy but a beacon of inclusivity and hope.

www.harmony.co.za