Integrating Gender Equality and Mine Closure

The report examines the intersection of gender equality and mine closure, noting that women often face disproportionate negative impacts during the post-mining transition, including increased gender-based violence and economic vulnerability. It argues that conventional environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) often lack gender responsiveness. The document provides a framework for integrating gender-based analysis (GBA) and inclusive community engagement across the mine life cycle—from pre-mining planning and land-use decisions to the transition of workers in the service and supply sectors. It concludes with specific recommendations for governments to develop gender mining strategies and mandate the use of GBA in regulatory processes.

• Mine closure is strongly correlated with increased social, economic, and domestic vulnerability for women, particularly in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Triggers include the outmigration of men seeking work and general social upheaval, leading to higher crime rates, prostitution, food insecurity, and increased domestic care burdens.
• Women are significantly underrepresented in the formal mining workforce, making up only 5% to 15% globally. This disparity means they are more likely to be employed in the direct and indirect service and supply sectors (such as catering and accommodation), which often receive less transition support than direct mining roles during closure.
• Traditional environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) typically lack gender-responsive approaches, failing to account for how closure objectives and post-mining land-use decisions affect women differently than men.
• The social instability following mine closure can lead to an increase in gender-based violence, including intimate-partner violence. The report emphasizes that governments have a responsibility under international human rights law to provide support networks, such as shelters and counselling centres, during this transition.
• Approximately 40% of mining jurisdictions currently have no requirement to consider social and community impacts as part of mine closure planning, highlighting a critical gap in regulatory frameworks.
• To achieve gender equality in mine closure, governments should implement a comprehensive strategy that includes mandatory Gender-Based Analysis (GBA), the formation of inclusive closure committees with women in decision-making roles, and the consideration of women's land rights in post-mining land-use planning.

APA

Stevens, R., & Tekinbas, E. (2023). Integrating Gender Equality and Mine Closure. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-09/gender-equality-mine-closure-actions-for-governments-en.pdf

Chicago

Stevens, Rob, and Ege Tekinbas. Integrating Gender Equality and Mine Closure. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-09/gender-equality-mine-closure-actions-for-governments-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stevens |first1=Rob |last2=Tekinbas |first2=Ege |title=Integrating Gender Equality and Mine Closure |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=November 2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-09/gender-equality-mine-closure-actions-for-governments-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stevens2023integrating, author = {Stevens, Rob and Tekinbas, Ege}, title = {{Integrating Gender Equality and Mine Closure}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-09/gender-equality-mine-closure-actions-for-governments-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }