Let me start by thanking you all for joining us at this important Women in Mining and Petroleum Conference. Your participation in this meeting provides us with an opportunity to collectively address one of the most pressing challenges facing women who seek meaningful participation in the mainstream economy – lack of access to information.
Speaking Notes by the Honourable, Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Ms Phumzile Mgcina during the Women In Mining and Petroleum Conference
Southern Sun Elangeni-Maharani, Durban 7 September 2026
Programme Director,
Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Zandile Myeni, Representatives of various government Departments, Representatives of various State-Owned Entities,
Representatives of various mining houses, Distinguished Guests,
Let me start by thanking you all for joining us at this important Women in Mining and Petroleum Conference.
Your participation in this meeting provides us with an opportunity to collectively address one of the most pressing challenges facing women who seek meaningful participation in the mainstream economy – lack of access to information.
The fact remains that South Africa has been an active mining jurisdiction for more than a century. Together with the petroleum sector, these sectors remain among the most significant drivers of economic growth, industrial development, foreign direct investment, and employment creation.
Yet, despite this contribution over many years, many people – women in particular – were historically excluded from meaningful participation in these sectors of the economy.
The dawn of democracy in 1994 signalled the beginning of a process of transformation, from an era of marginalisation to a constitutional democracy anchored on the principles of unity, non-racialism, non-sexism, and prosperity.
Since then, government has made significant strides towards transforming the economy by enabling more historically disadvantaged persons to participate meaningfully in economy activities.
Various policies and legislative frameworks have been put in place to drive this transformation.
In the minerals and petroleum sectors, the enactment of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in 2002 marked a significant shift towards this transformation.
Anchored on Freedom Charter’s clarion call that “the people shall share in the country’s wealth,” the MPRDA placed the custodianship of the country’s mineral and petroleum resources in the hands of the state, on behalf of the people as a whole.
This means, women - irrespective of their geographical location in the country - have a stake in the country’s mineral and petroleum resources. They also have an equal opportunity to participate in core activities within these sectors.
Today, more 78 000 women are actively participating in the mining industry. The same is true of the petroleum sector, where thousands of women are actively participating.
Most importantly, women are not participating merely as employees. Some are also leading multinational companies and occupying senior positions across the managerial and executive echelons of these industries.
This is our reality today.
Let us be frank, these women are not done a favour. They are professional women, and they have demonstrated that they are capable of leading in these sectors.
Yet, despite this progress, lack of access to information remains one of the greatest barriers preventing even greater participation by women in the mining and petroleum sectors.
To be honest, this is not necessarily because women are not making efforts to find information. In many instances, the information they require already exists. The challenge is that it is not always easily accessible, understandable, or effectively reaching those who need it most.
Getting the right information to the right people, therefore, requires deliberate and sustained intervention.
It is against this background that we have decided to host this Women in Mining and Petroleum Conference as a platform for sharing information on existing initiatives that government, together with industry and other social partners, is driving to increase the participation of historically disadvantages persons in these sectors.
This includes, but is not limited to, information on policy and regulatory advancement, licensing requirements, financing mechanisms, business development, and procurement opportunities within these sectors.
Let me take this opportunity to highlight some of the initiatives being driven by the Department. The industry, including some of our State-Owned Entities represented here today, will elaborate further on other opportunities available.
At the apex of the Department’s priority areas is the need to accelerate transformation in the mining and petroleum sectors by driving policies that will enable greater participation of historically disadvantaged individuals.
Recognising the persistent challenges faced by Artisanal and Small-Scale miners, the Department introduced the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASSM) Policy in 2022 to foster the creation of a formalised ASSM industry that can operate optimally and sustainably, while making meaningful contribution to the economy.
To further strengthen the formalisation of the artisanal and small-scale mining industry, through the Mineral Resources Development Amendment Bill, we are making provision for matters relating to this sector and addressing some of the issues that have been viewed as prohibitive to its development and growth.
Notwithstanding the ongoing review of the legislation, the Department continues to empower artisanal and small-scale miners through targeted financial assistance provided through the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund.
During the 2025/26 financial year alone, the Department assisted 20 artisanal and small-scale mining projects with capital equipment, operational expenditure, and rehabilitation guarantees to the value of R59.7 million.
A further R31.12 million has been set aside to assist more artisanal and small-scale miners during the current financial year.
An equally important programme driven by the Department, in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is the Junior Miners Exploration Fund (JMEF).
Through the JMEF, the Department is making inroads towards reigniting mineral development and accelerating new mineral discoveries, while simultaneously driving the participation of historically disadvantaged persons in the industry.
Since the establishment of the Fund, the Department is currently supporting 15 exploration projects to the value of R400 million across the country.
As part of our ongoing efforts to expand the Fund and reach even more junior miners and exploration projects, we are collaborating with the industry and other role-players.
These efforts are taking shape and are showing great promise in revitalising exploration and increasing South Africa’s share of global exploration expenditure.
Anglo American has already pledged R600 million to the Fund, while the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has committed a further R1.35 billion to serve as Continuation Fund. This will provide a seamless transition for the project pipeline emerging from the JMEF.
In addition to the financial assistance, the Department continues to host nationwide awareness programmes aimed sharing information and educating society about the licensing processes.
We urge all aspiring and potential miners to attend these workshops. They are proving to be valuable platforms for those who seek to understand the regulatory environment and the opportunities available within the sector.
In keeping with the theme, “Empowered Women, Empower the Nation,” let us seize this opportunity and use this conference to help one another to achieve greater success in these sectors.
Let us not leave here without tangible commitments, clear timelines, and defined responsibilities for each social partner.
Let us the share the responsibility of transforming these industries, driving inclusive economic growth, eradicating poverty, and fostering equality.
Together, we can build the globally competitive mining and petroleum sectors of our dreams – sectors that create opportunities, unlock economic value, and benefit many generations to come.
Let us share information, take advantage of the existing opportunities, and create practical pathways for women to participate meaningfully across the entire economic value chain.
I thank you.