HR expert named the reasons for women's interest in working in mines
Women are increasingly considering working in the mining industry, but the main motivation for choosing such a profession is not the romance of mines, but stability and a high level of income. HR expert Anna Alikova told Izvestia about this on March 4.
According to her, one of the most attractive areas for women in this field is the profession of a surveyor. This specialty is close to the work of a surveyor, but it is performed underground. The specialist is responsible for calculating the trajectory of tunneling and monitoring the accuracy of mining operations, which directly affects safety.
Alikova explained that such work requires primarily analytical skills and accurate calculations, rather than hard physical labor. The surveyor must have deep knowledge of mathematics, be able to perform complex calculations and work with drawings. According to the expert, women often successfully prove themselves in this profession due to care and accuracy.
Another area that is gradually attracting women is the management of heavy machinery, such as working as an excavator or loader driver. Modern cars are equipped with comfortable cabins, air conditioners and electronic control systems, so the physical load is significantly reduced.
At the same time, the expert stressed that working in the industry is associated with a number of serious risks.
"The constant vibration from heavy machinery and the strain on the spine can seriously affect women's health, especially if a woman is planning to have children. The legislation was initially aimed at protection," Alikova explained.
Another obstacle remains the biased attitude on the part of a part of the team. According to the expert, women often have to prove their professional competence when faced with stereotypes about "male" professions.
She believes that attitudes towards women in the mining industry will gradually change, but this process may take time. In her opinion, the modernization of equipment and staff shortages will play an important role, which forces employers to involve specialists more actively, regardless of gender.
According to Alikova, several conditions are necessary for the successful integration of women into the industry. Among them are the use of modern technology with comfortable working conditions, professional retraining programs, a zero tolerance policy for harassment in enterprises, and more flexible schedules for employees with children.
The expert stressed that if these conditions are met, women will be able to fully work in the mining sector on an equal basis with men. In this case, the main factor will not be the gender of the employee, but his professional skills and responsibility.
On the same day, Tatyana Ushkats, an expert at the RUDN University Faculty of Economics, said that the revision of the list of "non-feminine" professions in Russia is planned to begin in 2026, while the first changes may take effect in 2027, which will expand access to professions with an acceptable level of risk. The Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation wants to exclude from the list of specialties related to the management of heavy machinery and equipment, including excavator and loader drivers, as well as workers in mines and the mining industry.
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