Gender equality in the mining industry: Enabling students to learn from practical work

Gender stereotypes, gender stereotypes’ impact and influence on providing opportunities for women to engage in labor industries have long been argued, especially in the mining industry. In order to raise students’ awareness of this issue, on April 27, representatives from the Research Centre for Gender, Family and Environment, as well as more than 30 lecturers and students from the University of Mining and Geology and the Academy of Journalism and Communication had a working session and field visit at Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT).

With more than 25% female workers out of a total of 2,237 people globally (*), MHT now boasts having the greatest proportion of female employees among the mining businesses in Vietnam and globally. With over 13 years of existence and development, MHT has consistently endeavored to implement gender equality in the workplace, establishing equality for men and women to improve human resources. The company is fully aware that a fair working environment, free of preconceptions and gender discrimination, is the most strong basis for stable development of the company. As a result, in addition to completely implementing policies and regimes for female employees, the Company’s Board of Directors has worked closely with the grassroots Trade Union throughout the years to complete the policy of care and treatment for this group of employees.

Indeed, women at MHT are highly qualified personnel who make significant contributions to the Company’s development. These include Deputy CEO, Director of Technology and Innovation Global, Goslar Site Manager, Environment Superintendent, M&G Deputy Superintendent, Processing Operations Supervisor, SCM Senior Supervisor, among others.

“There are but few female workers in specialized fields of mining, science, technology, experts at Nui Phao Mine, according to my observations,” said Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh, Lecturer at Academy of Journalism and Communication/ Advisor of Gender and Mining Project. “This, however, is a systemic issue in job choices and vocational training. I believe in the future, when things change in the direction of expanding career opportunities for all, along with excellent development policies and remuneration for MHT employees, the percentage of female employees participating in highly specialized positions of the Company will significantly increase.”

At the field visit, lecturers and students also heard a general introduction about Masan High-Tech Materials, production business activities, future orientation and development strategy of the Company. Following the discussion, the delegation toured around the Open Pit, the processing plant, the wastewater treatment plant to learn more about the operating model and the green mining approach of the Company.

“As a child of Thai Nguyen and having heard about Nui Phao mine since childhood, I have always been longing to see this place with my own eyes some day,” said Chau Anh, a student at the Academy of Journalism and Communication. “The green tint covering everything amazed me the most when I arrived here. I’ve been to a few factories, but this is the first company I’ve seen so many rows of green trees. Wastewater generated during manufacturing and in everyday operations at the facility is also properly treated using a modern and standard treatment system. Stepping into the manufacturing area is also a unique one because most of the machines operate on their own 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rather than requiring humans to accomplish everything. I feel very happy and proud to have such a modern high-tech material manufacturing company in my hometown.”

Over the years, MHT has welcomed many delegations of government officials, pupils, students… to visit and experience, leaving a positive impression on a high-tech materials company throughout the world.

(*): Data as of February 2023