Breaking Ground | Women Leaders Across The Board

Female Trailblazers Driving Change In Mining

By Jessie Taylor

Mining remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy, but its sustainability now hinges on transformationparticularly in advancing women’s participation. While women were only legally permitted to work underground in 1996, the number of women in mining has steadily grown. As of 2025, women make up approximately 14% of the total mining workforce in South Africa, equating to more than 64,500 employees, according to Minerals Council South Africa.

Women in the sector are not only contributing operationally but are also leading innovation, driving ESG compliance, and modernising outdated processes. The Minerals Council, under the leadership of Nolitha Fakude - the first woman president in its 132-year history - aims to achieve 30% to 40% representation over the next decade. Increasingly, women occupy executive and ownership roles in mining — redefining a traditionally male-dominated industry. They are advocating for safer, more equitable workplaces and proving that gender diversity enhances innovation, governance, and sustainability.

Three pioneering women are highlighted below, with stories that reflect resilience, vision, and a commitment to change that extends far beyond the mine shaft.

Lindiwe Nakedi

Lindiwe Nakedi is a trailblazer in South Africa’s mining sector, known for her unwavering commitment to transformation, safety, and the inclusion of women in mining operations. As the director of Gubhani Exploration - a 100% black woman-owned drilling company – Ms Nakedi has helped redefine the narrative around mining entrepreneurship. She entered the industry through her family’s business and quickly identified a gap in supporting women and SMEs in upstream mining services.

Gubhani Exploration, under her leadership, has become a trusted service provider in core drilling, safety training, and geological consulting. But beyond technical services, Ms Nakedi has positioned her company as a change agent for diversity in mining.

As the Deputy Chairperson of Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA), she has championed policies to improve gender equity, safety standards for women underground, and access to capital for black women in the sector. Ms Nakedi is vocal about issues of harassment, equipment design for women, and mentorship as key barriers and enablers of gender transformation.

She is also a graduate of the Wits Business School Leadership Development Programme and has been recognised in numerous industry forums for her leadership in sustainable mining.

Daphne Masihle-Nkosi

Daphne Mashile-Nkosi is a pioneering force in South African mining. As Executive Chairperson of Kalagadi Manganese, she is the first black woman to lead a major manganese mining operation and one of the most influential voices in shaping an inclusive, locally-owned mining industry.

Ms Mashile-Nkosi co-founded Kalagadi Manganese in the early 2000s with a bold vision: to ensure that South Africa’s mineral wealth benefits black communities and women. Despite facing financial hurdles, resistance from large corporations, and even attempts to derail the project, she persisted. Today, Kalagadi operates a state-of-the-art underground mine and sinter plant in the Northern Cape, employing hundreds and contributing significantly to local economic development.

Often referred to as “The Iron Lady of Manganese,” Ms Mashile-Nkosi has consistently advocated for beneficiation adding value to raw minerals before export - and for broader community participation in mining value chains. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2014 CEO Global Most Influential Woman in Business and Government Award.

She is also committed to social impact, with Kalagadi funding educational initiatives, housing, and enterprise development in host communities.

Pulane Tshabalala-Kokome

Pulane Tshabalala-Kokome is reshaping the face of South African mining as the Founder and CEO of PK Mining Group, a 100% black woman-owned firm focused on minerals, beneficiation, and logistics. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects determination, foresight, and a desire to create long-term socioeconomic value through mining.

Ms Tshabalala-Kokome founded PK Mining Group in 2015 after identifying an opportunity to bridge operational inefficiencies and unlock value across the mining value chain. Her company operates in areas such as chrome and manganese mining and has built strategic partnerships across the SADC region. Under her leadership, PK Mining is increasingly focused on ESG compliance, community engagement, and inclusive procurement practices.

Beyond mining, Ms Tshabalala-Kokome is a strong advocate for youth empowerment and skills development. Through PK Mining’s youth programmes, she mentors aspiring geologists, engineers, and entrepreneurs — with a strong focus on black women entering STEM and extractive industries. She also serves on industry panels and contributes to policy discussions on transformation and sustainable development.

In 2022, she was honoured at the South African Women in Mining Awards for her contributions to enterprise development and black ownership in mining.

The women leading South Africa’s mining sector are not just transforming operations — they are shaping policy, uplifting communities, and mentoring future leaders. Their work demonstrates that gender diversity is essential to building a resilient and sustainable mining future.

Sources: Minerals Council South Africa, Mandela Mining Precinct, Stats SA, Mining Weekly, Mail & Guardian, Business Day, Wits Business School, Mining Indaba