March 29, 2024

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is positive more younger women will join the mining industry, especially that companies nowadays are more liberal and are providing more employment opportunities for women.
MGB-Cordillera Director Fay Apil said while the number of women working in the mining industry is a little over 10 percent of the total workforce, the environment in mining firms is constantly becoming more accommodating to women.
Apil added more universities now are also opening mining-related courses unlike before when only three universities all over the country were offering courses related mining.
“There was a time when mining engineers, geologists, and metallurgists were only a handful, which is why the MGB were offering scholarships to those who enroll in mining-related courses. Now, schools in other provinces are offering mining-related courses accommodating more women.
In the region, Apil said of the 6,586 workers in the metallic mines and quarry industries, 618 are women and most are assigned in offices.
She said Philex, which has the most number of workers and employs 192 females.
Apil, however, said mining companies in the region have assigned management roles to women.
She hoped mining firms will also start considering employing and training women to operate heavy equipment, a job that is usually assigned to men. – Jane B. Cadalig