Exploring the challenges of female leaders in core leadership roles in a mining company in KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

The mining industry is male-dominated, and females experience challenges working and advancing to leadership positions, particularly in core leadership roles. These core roles include engineering, metallurgy, geology, artisanship, mechanics, and technicians. The objective of this qualitative study was to identify the challenges and explore how female leaders in core leadership roles manage these challenges, as well as the type of support they receive in a mining company in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The target population in this phenomenological study was 21 women who were in middle to executive-level management positions in core roles. Purposive sampling was used to select 13 participants for the study. Data was collected using semi-structured virtual interviews and analysed using thematic analysis and NVivo software to identify themes. First, the results revealed four themes that depict the challenges faced by female leaders in core mining roles: lack of a support structure, mistreatment, abuse by authorities, and being negatively stereotyped as women in the mining company. Second, the study identified three ways in which female leaders in core roles deal with challenges: adopting a predominantly situational leadership style, balancing the demands of motherhood and marriage with their work, and advocating for a better and safer working environment. Third, female leaders in the mining company received three types of support: management development in the form of non-technical training to help them fit, survive and lead in the mining workplace, mentorship and coaching, and anonymous reporting platforms. The study concludes that women still face challenges in leadership roles. Female leaders in core roles use the situational leadership style to navigate the challenges, and the mining company provides various management training to female leaders, as well as education on sexual harassment. The study calls for the mining company to automate certain parts of its operations to make it easier for women to operate machinery and perform physical labour. Additionally, mining companies need to address the lack of support from other women who have risen through the ranks. The study highlights recommendations for creating an environment where women feel welcomed and supported by the mining company. Areas for future research are suggested.