Tata Steel hosts “Women in Mining” conclave in Ranchi
Women are entering Jharkhand’s mining workforce in record numbers, marking a clear shift in a sector long dominated by men. The Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Ujjawal Tah, said women’s participation has risen steadily in both opencast and underground categories since 2019.
He shared the latest numbers while speaking at Tata Steel’s conclave on “Women in Mining: Transforming Today, Redefining Tomorrow,” organised in Ranchi under the aegis of the DGMS. According to him, female employment in opencast mines increased from 64 in 2020 to 442, while underground mining saw a rise from 20 to 178 during the same period.
Tah credited the change to the 2019 amendment to Section 46 of the Mines Act, which removed long-standing restrictions on employing women in mines. He said the reform opened new opportunities and encouraged companies to recruit and deploy women in operational roles.
Industry leaders discuss inclusive mining
The one-day conclave brought together government regulators, mining companies and women professionals from across India. Senior officials from DGMS, Tata Steel, CMPDIL, Hindustan Copper Ltd, Coal India, Hindustan Zinc, NTPC, Singareni Collieries, JSW Steel and others shared their perspectives on gender diversity and the changing nature of mining work.
Speakers stressed the need to build safe, inclusive and future-ready mining environments. The sessions focused on policy reforms, leadership roles for women, reskilling needs, and strategies to improve retention. A felicitation ceremony recognised women teams and professionals for their contributions.
“Women are joining underground mines with confidence”
The event also highlighted the lived experiences of women miners.
Bandi Gayatri, Senior Manager of Operations in Tata Steel’s Jharia Division, said she joined as a Graduate Trainee Manager in 2022 and moved to underground coal mining in 2023 after volunteering for the role.
“Initially three of us opted for underground roles. The number has been rising since then. We have the required amenities, and the work environment is encouraging,” she said. She added that underground mining remains challenging due to issues such as poor ventilation and roof falls, but trained teams handle risks promptly.
DGMS to issue comprehensive safety guidelines
Tah said feedback collected during the conclave will contribute to future policy decisions. He added that DGMS is preparing detailed safety guidelines for women miners. At present, mandatory measures include ensuring that no woman works alone inside a mine and providing separate washrooms and rest areas.
He said similar conclaves will be held regularly to understand the evolving needs of women miners and improve facilities and regulations.
The event underscored a significant shift in Jharkhand’s mining landscape, with more women choosing mining as a career and companies expanding their support systems to ensure inclusivity and safety.
