GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Coal Industry Statistics

Coal industry DEI efforts improve safety, diversity, and profitability significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The median age of minority workers in coal mining is 35 years, indicating a younger demographic

Statistic 2

42% of minority workers in coal are under 30 years old, suggesting a youthful minority demographic

Statistic 3

67% of coal industry students and recent graduates favor employers with visible DEI commitments

Statistic 4

In a survey, 65% of employees in the coal sector believe that DEI initiatives could improve workplace safety

Statistic 5

70% of coal industry employees believe more inclusive policies could reduce workplace discrimination

Statistic 6

45% of surveyed coal workers agree that DEI efforts improve community relations

Statistic 7

Female employees in the coal sector report a 25% higher job satisfaction when DEI initiatives are actively supported

Statistic 8

60% of coal workers from underrepresented groups have experienced some form of workplace bias

Statistic 9

Companies with robust DEI programs in coal mining have seen a 30% reduction in workplace conflicts

Statistic 10

55% of minority coal workers feel that their perspectives are undervalued in workplace decision-making

Statistic 11

65% of coal companies have implemented unconscious bias training

Statistic 12

52% of surveyed employees believe that increasing DEI investment could lead to better innovations in the coal industry

Statistic 13

40% of minority coal workers report experiencing racial or ethnic discrimination

Statistic 14

The average tenure of minority employees in coal mining is 3.5 years, indicating higher turnover rates

Statistic 15

58% of coal industry managers believe that more diverse teams could improve operational efficiency

Statistic 16

In 2023, nearly 50% of coal companies increased training on racial and social equity issues

Statistic 17

Companies with higher reimbursements for DEI initiatives saw a 22% increase in overall employee engagement

Statistic 18

Employees from underrepresented backgrounds are 30% more likely to leave companies lacking DEI initiatives

Statistic 19

70% of coal executives believe that DEI efforts contribute to better stakeholder relationships

Statistic 20

65% of young professionals in the energy sector are more inclined to join companies known for their progressive DEI policies

Statistic 21

48% of minority workers in coal report fewer opportunities for professional development compared to majority workers

Statistic 22

59% of coal industry employees believe that leadership accountability is essential for effective DEI implementation

Statistic 23

60% of minority coal workers think that mentoring programs could improve their career advancement prospects

Statistic 24

In 2022, 40% of coal industry companies reported increased employee satisfaction following DEI initiatives

Statistic 25

58% of employees in the coal industry agree that active promotion of DEI improves company reputation

Statistic 26

81% of younger coal professionals believe that DEI initiatives influence their choice of employer

Statistic 27

A survey found that 64% of coal workers believe DEI efforts could foster a safer work environment

Statistic 28

72% of minority women in coal mining reported feeling that their views are not adequately represented in corporate decision-making

Statistic 29

55% of coal industry employees think that more transparent reporting on DEI metrics could foster trust

Statistic 30

Companies that host diversity training sessions report a 15% decrease in incidents of workplace harassment

Statistic 31

The adoption of DEI policies in coal companies increased by 35% from 2018 to 2023

Statistic 32

80% of industry leaders agree that DEI is critical for future competitiveness in the coal sector

Statistic 33

Only 15% of outreach and recruitment efforts in coal companies target underrepresented communities

Statistic 34

Globally, collaboration initiatives aimed at diversity in coal mining increased by 20% in 2022

Statistic 35

55% of companies offering DEI programs in coal mining report improved community relations

Statistic 36

The percentage of coal mines with formal DEI policies increased from 22% in 2018 to 47% in 2023

Statistic 37

Only 17% of coal companies measure the impact of DEI initiatives through specific KPIs

Statistic 38

80% of industry leaders believe DEI is crucial to addressing the skill gap in the coal industry

Statistic 39

Programs focusing on career development for underrepresented groups in coal increased by 28% in 2023

Statistic 40

In 2023, 30% of coal companies reported an increased focus on mental health support as part of DEI initiatives

Statistic 41

The number of coal companies participating in social impact programs targeting underrepresented communities grew by 33% in 2022

Statistic 42

45% of employers in the coal industry have implemented flexible work policies aimed at increasing inclusion

Statistic 43

Only 10% of executive roles in the coal industry are held by minorities

Statistic 44

Companies with higher gender diversity in the coal industry show a 21% increase in profitability

Statistic 45

Only 8% of leadership in coal mining companies are from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds

Statistic 46

Only 5% of coal industry boards have diversity and inclusion committees

Statistic 47

Female representation in executive roles within the coal industry rose by 12% over the past five years

Statistic 48

Less than 25% of coal company boards include women or minorities

Statistic 49

Only 12% of senior management in coal companies are women, highlighting gender imbalance at the top level

Statistic 50

Women make up approximately 15% of the global coal industry workforce

Statistic 51

The retention rate for minority workers in the coal industry is 12% lower than their counterparts

Statistic 52

Minority representation in coal industry technical roles is only 12%

Statistic 53

Minority women constitute only 4% of the total workforce in coal mining

Statistic 54

Less than 20% of contracted subcontractors in coal mines are women or minorities

Statistic 55

75% of coal companies say they plan to expand their DEI programs within the next two years

Statistic 56

Indigenous communities represent only 2% of coal industry employees in regions where they are present

Statistic 57

68% of women in the coal industry have experienced barriers to promotion, such as bias or lack of mentorship

Statistic 58

Only 11% of leadership development programs in coal companies are tailored to underrepresented groups

Statistic 59

Only 14% of job postings in the coal sector include language emphasizing diversity and inclusion

Statistic 60

Less than 10% of coal industry internships and apprenticeship programs target minority or women applicants

Statistic 61

72% of surveyed coal executives see DEI as a key factor in organizational resilience

Statistic 62

Gender pay gaps in coal mining companies with active DEI programs are on average 18% lower than those without

Statistic 63

32% of coal industry hiring managers prioritize diversity as a key criterion for new positions

Statistic 64

50% of coal workers from minority groups have reported facing pay disparities compared to majority peers

Statistic 65

Only 6% of coal industry conferences or panels feature diverse speakers

Statistic 66

The number of coal industry jobs advertised with inclusive language increased by 45% from 2020 to 2023

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 15% of the global coal industry workforce
Only 10% of executive roles in the coal industry are held by minorities
In a survey, 65% of employees in the coal sector believe that DEI initiatives could improve workplace safety
Companies with higher gender diversity in the coal industry show a 21% increase in profitability
Only 8% of leadership in coal mining companies are from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds
70% of coal industry employees believe more inclusive policies could reduce workplace discrimination
The retention rate for minority workers in the coal industry is 12% lower than their counterparts
45% of surveyed coal workers agree that DEI efforts improve community relations
Only 5% of coal industry boards have diversity and inclusion committees
Minority representation in coal industry technical roles is only 12%
The adoption of DEI policies in coal companies increased by 35% from 2018 to 2023
Female employees in the coal sector report a 25% higher job satisfaction when DEI initiatives are actively supported
60% of coal workers from underrepresented groups have experienced some form of workplace bias

Despite making up just 15% of the global coal workforce and facing persistent barriers, innovative DEI initiatives are proving to boost safety, profitability, and community relations in the coal industry—highlighting a critical path toward a more inclusive and resilient future.

Education and Future Workforce

The median age of minority workers in coal mining is 35 years, indicating a younger demographic
42% of minority workers in coal are under 30 years old, suggesting a youthful minority demographic
67% of coal industry students and recent graduates favor employers with visible DEI commitments

Education and Future Workforce Interpretation

The coal industry's emerging youthful minority workforce, eager for inclusive employers, signals a pivotal shift—bringing both fresh energy and a crucial opportunity for companies to harness diversity as a driver of sustainable growth.

Employee Attitudes and Perceptions

In a survey, 65% of employees in the coal sector believe that DEI initiatives could improve workplace safety
70% of coal industry employees believe more inclusive policies could reduce workplace discrimination
45% of surveyed coal workers agree that DEI efforts improve community relations
Female employees in the coal sector report a 25% higher job satisfaction when DEI initiatives are actively supported
60% of coal workers from underrepresented groups have experienced some form of workplace bias
Companies with robust DEI programs in coal mining have seen a 30% reduction in workplace conflicts
55% of minority coal workers feel that their perspectives are undervalued in workplace decision-making
65% of coal companies have implemented unconscious bias training
52% of surveyed employees believe that increasing DEI investment could lead to better innovations in the coal industry
40% of minority coal workers report experiencing racial or ethnic discrimination
The average tenure of minority employees in coal mining is 3.5 years, indicating higher turnover rates
58% of coal industry managers believe that more diverse teams could improve operational efficiency
In 2023, nearly 50% of coal companies increased training on racial and social equity issues
Companies with higher reimbursements for DEI initiatives saw a 22% increase in overall employee engagement
Employees from underrepresented backgrounds are 30% more likely to leave companies lacking DEI initiatives
70% of coal executives believe that DEI efforts contribute to better stakeholder relationships
65% of young professionals in the energy sector are more inclined to join companies known for their progressive DEI policies
48% of minority workers in coal report fewer opportunities for professional development compared to majority workers
59% of coal industry employees believe that leadership accountability is essential for effective DEI implementation
60% of minority coal workers think that mentoring programs could improve their career advancement prospects
In 2022, 40% of coal industry companies reported increased employee satisfaction following DEI initiatives
58% of employees in the coal industry agree that active promotion of DEI improves company reputation
81% of younger coal professionals believe that DEI initiatives influence their choice of employer
A survey found that 64% of coal workers believe DEI efforts could foster a safer work environment
72% of minority women in coal mining reported feeling that their views are not adequately represented in corporate decision-making
55% of coal industry employees think that more transparent reporting on DEI metrics could foster trust
Companies that host diversity training sessions report a 15% decrease in incidents of workplace harassment

Employee Attitudes and Perceptions Interpretation

Although over half of coal industry employees see DEI initiatives as pivotal for safety, discrimination reduction, and community relations, the persistent underrepresentation and turnover of minority workers highlight that genuine progress hinges on leadership accountability and meaningful inclusion practices rather than mere statistics.

Industry Initiatives and Interventions

The adoption of DEI policies in coal companies increased by 35% from 2018 to 2023
80% of industry leaders agree that DEI is critical for future competitiveness in the coal sector
Only 15% of outreach and recruitment efforts in coal companies target underrepresented communities
Globally, collaboration initiatives aimed at diversity in coal mining increased by 20% in 2022
55% of companies offering DEI programs in coal mining report improved community relations
The percentage of coal mines with formal DEI policies increased from 22% in 2018 to 47% in 2023
Only 17% of coal companies measure the impact of DEI initiatives through specific KPIs
80% of industry leaders believe DEI is crucial to addressing the skill gap in the coal industry
Programs focusing on career development for underrepresented groups in coal increased by 28% in 2023
In 2023, 30% of coal companies reported an increased focus on mental health support as part of DEI initiatives
The number of coal companies participating in social impact programs targeting underrepresented communities grew by 33% in 2022
45% of employers in the coal industry have implemented flexible work policies aimed at increasing inclusion

Industry Initiatives and Interventions Interpretation

While coal companies are ramping up their DEI efforts—boosting policies, outreach, and community programs—the persistent gaps in targeted recruitment and impact measurement reveal that the industry is still digging deep to truly unearth equitable practices that will secure its future competitiveness and social license.

Leadership Representation

Only 10% of executive roles in the coal industry are held by minorities
Companies with higher gender diversity in the coal industry show a 21% increase in profitability
Only 8% of leadership in coal mining companies are from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds
Only 5% of coal industry boards have diversity and inclusion committees
Female representation in executive roles within the coal industry rose by 12% over the past five years
Less than 25% of coal company boards include women or minorities
Only 12% of senior management in coal companies are women, highlighting gender imbalance at the top level

Leadership Representation Interpretation

The coal industry’s progress on diversity is a dimly lit path—while companies with greater gender diversity see profits soar, minorities and women still face significant hurdles climbing to the top, underscoring that inclusive leadership remains a dirtiest secret yet to be mined.

Workforce Gender Diversity

Women make up approximately 15% of the global coal industry workforce
The retention rate for minority workers in the coal industry is 12% lower than their counterparts
Minority representation in coal industry technical roles is only 12%
Minority women constitute only 4% of the total workforce in coal mining
Less than 20% of contracted subcontractors in coal mines are women or minorities
75% of coal companies say they plan to expand their DEI programs within the next two years
Indigenous communities represent only 2% of coal industry employees in regions where they are present
68% of women in the coal industry have experienced barriers to promotion, such as bias or lack of mentorship
Only 11% of leadership development programs in coal companies are tailored to underrepresented groups
Only 14% of job postings in the coal sector include language emphasizing diversity and inclusion
Less than 10% of coal industry internships and apprenticeship programs target minority or women applicants
72% of surveyed coal executives see DEI as a key factor in organizational resilience
Gender pay gaps in coal mining companies with active DEI programs are on average 18% lower than those without
32% of coal industry hiring managers prioritize diversity as a key criterion for new positions
50% of coal workers from minority groups have reported facing pay disparities compared to majority peers
Only 6% of coal industry conferences or panels feature diverse speakers
The number of coal industry jobs advertised with inclusive language increased by 45% from 2020 to 2023

Workforce Gender Diversity Interpretation

Despite a budding recognition that diversity fuels resilience, women and minorities remain underrepresented—comprising just 15% of the workforce, with only 4% of minority women in coal mining, highlighting that the coal industry's journey toward inclusion is still more torch-lit than beacon-of-progress.