Transformative Tool Empowers Gender Equity in Mining

Mining is more than extracting minerals, it's about transforming lives, organizations, and cultures. Within this landscape, Sello WIM stands out as a powerful instrument designed to guide and recognize companies committed to improving gender equity and inclusion in the mining sector. Developed by our association, Mujeres WIM de México, this tool has proven to be more than a badge of merit, it is a roadmap for change and a platform for the implementation of actions that improve the conditions of women working in the mining sector and, hence, the productivity of the company involved.

Despite significant challenges, women in mining have steadily advanced. In Mexico, however, they still make up less than 18.5% of the mining workforce (according to 2024 data), and only 5% of women in non-unionized roles hold executive positions. The challenges are many: cultural stereotypes, structural inequalities, and insufficient support mechanisms. Yet, women continue to enter the sector, demonstrating competence, commitment, and leadership. That’s the reason why Sello WIM was developed.

Sello WIM is not a certification. Rather, it is a recognition awarded to companies in the mining sector that demonstrate ongoing efforts to promote gender equity, non-discrimination, and the inclusion of women in the workplace. It is based on nine evaluation pillars that examine critical areas, including:

• Equitable recruitment practices

• Increased female representation across all levels of operation and leadership

• Gender pay equity

• Anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies

• Opportunities for professional development for women

• Infrastructure to meet health and safety needs specific to women

• Clear protocols and indicators for progress tracking

A unique feature of Sello WIM is its requirement that participating companies not only meet baseline criteria but also design and implement at least three targeted improvement actions. These are tailored to each company’s identified challenges and opportunities without any budget with a minimum amount required. 

Since its first edition, Sello WIM has shown tangible results. In its inaugural cycle, 11 companies implemented 36 improvement actions. The second edition saw 13 companies adopt 45 additional initiatives. To date, over 80 improvement actions have been carried out, directly benefiting more than 2,800 women working in the sector.

These actions range from the installation of lactation rooms and the promotion of women as heavy machinery operators, to gender sensitivity training for supervisors and the establishment of clear anti-harassment protocols. Notably, these changes not only benefit women, they improve the workplace for everyone. Inclusive companies tend to enjoy better talent retention, more cohesive work environments, and a stronger social license to operate.

One of the most powerful achievements we have seen at Sello WIM is that companies return. Having witnessed the internal benefits of participation, from enhanced employee satisfaction to improved external reputation, many organizations choose to participate again. This continuity reflects the practical value the initiative provides and the credibility it has earned as a tool for organizational improvement.

Unlike other programs, Sello WIM embeds equity into the core culture of a company. It demands introspection, commitment, and concrete action. Companies that have gone through the process often report a cultural shift: greater awareness among leadership, increased participation of women in decision-making, and stronger interdepartmental collaboration to meet gender-related goals.

Sello WIM is not a stand-alone initiative. It is part of a broader movement to reshape mining into a sector that is not only technologically advanced and economically robust but also socially just and inclusive. This movement involves academia, civil society, and government actors working together to promote systemic change.

Globally, countries like Chile, Colombia, Canada, and Australia are setting benchmarks by integrating gender equity into national mining strategies. Mexico is following suit. Legislative frameworks such as the General Law for Equality between Women and Men and labor reforms that prohibit discrimination lay the groundwork for progress. However, real transformation happens on the ground — inside companies — and tools like Sello WIM accelerate that transformation.

Perhaps one of the most relevant outcomes of Sello WIM is its ripple effect. Women working in inclusive environments become mentors and inspiration , encouraging more young women to pursue careers in mining. The stories of success, once rare, are increasingly becoming the norm — and the visibility of these stories helps dismantle the stereotypes that have long kept women from fully participating in the mining industry.

With sustainability and social responsibility becoming central to operations, gender inclusion is no longer optional, it is essential. Sello WIM offers a structured, proven approach to embedding these values into the core of mining enterprises.

For companies looking to future-proof their operations, attract top talent, and strengthen community relations, participating in the Sello WIM initiative is a strategic advantage.

The message is clear: A more inclusive mining industry is not only possible, it is already in progress. And those who choose to lead this change are not only shaping their companies, but they are also shaping the future of mining itself.