Leveraging Technologies for Gender Equality in Mining Communities

The document analyzes three case studies where digital tools—ranging from free Wi-Fi hotspots and custom apps to SMS and voice technology—are used to bridge the digital divide in mining regions. It highlights that while these programs may not always be designed exclusively for women, they often result in significant female participation and empowerment by providing access to education, employment opportunities, and human rights information. The report emphasizes the importance of co-design, digital literacy training, and multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the sustainability and inclusivity of these technological interventions.

• In South Africa, the Maru a Mokopane project by Ivanplats provided 20 free Wi-Fi hotspots in the Mokopane region, resulting in 30,400 registered users, of whom approximately 42% are female.
• The Maru a Mokopane project demonstrated that digital inclusivity extends beyond mine-related communication, as users frequently accessed university sites, online courses, and job search sites using their daily data allocation.
• In Peru, a pilot program using Ulula's digital platform employed SMS and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in Spanish and Quechua to engage stakeholders in the Junin copper mining region, with women constituting approximately 40% of participating community members.
• The Peru pilot indicated that women are highly represented among users who re-engage with digital tools multiple times to access information, submit complaints, or participate in surveys.
• In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Glencore's Umoja App provided 6,500 permanent employees at Kamoto Copper Company with smartphones, data bundles, and solar chargers, achieving usage and retention rates over 90%.
• The Umoja App in the DRC created a 'multiplier effect' where employees' families, including children, gained internet access for the first time through the devices provided to workers.
• A critical success factor across the cases was the inclusion of digital literacy training; in South Africa, this involved employing 40 young people as digital ambassadors to educate community members.

APA

Pullinger, L. (2024). Leveraging Technologies for Gender Equality in Mining Communities. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-02/igf-leveraging-technologies-gender-equality-mining.pdf

Chicago

Pullinger, Lisl. Leveraging Technologies for Gender Equality in Mining Communities. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-02/igf-leveraging-technologies-gender-equality-mining.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Pullinger |first1=Lisl |title=Leveraging Technologies for Gender Equality in Mining Communities |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-02/igf-leveraging-technologies-gender-equality-mining.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{pullinger2024leveraging, author = {Pullinger, Lisl}, title = {{Leveraging Technologies for Gender Equality in Mining Communities}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-02/igf-leveraging-technologies-gender-equality-mining.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }