GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Mining Industry Statistics

Mining sector diversifies workforce, boosting innovation, profitability, and inclusion efforts.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Over 50% of mining companies establish partnerships with local communities to promote inclusive economic growth

Statistic 2

In regions with active community engagement, mining productivity increases by approximately 15%, linked to inclusive policies

Statistic 3

LGBTQ+ inclusion policies are adopted by about 10% of mining companies, with growing interest

Statistic 4

Ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency efforts have increased by 40% in mining companies over the past five years, supporting DEI goals

Statistic 5

Women leaders in mining companies are 1.7 times more likely to implement inclusive policies

Statistic 6

55% of underrepresented groups in mining believe their companies offer equal advancement opportunities

Statistic 7

Women in leadership roles in mining are more likely to advocate for environmental and social governance initiatives

Statistic 8

Women comprise approximately 12% of the global mining workforce

Statistic 9

Only 3% of senior leadership roles in mining are held by women

Statistic 10

Minority groups in the mining industry account for around 15% of the workforce

Statistic 11

60% of entry-level roles in mining are filled by young workers from diverse backgrounds

Statistic 12

Indigenous peoples represent about 2% of the mining workforce globally

Statistic 13

Companies with diverse boards see a 10-15% higher return on investment

Statistic 14

25% of women in mining report facing workplace harassment

Statistic 15

African nations account for approximately 25% of the global mining output, yet only 10% of the mining workforce there is local

Statistic 16

Only 5% of procurement contracts in mining are awarded to minority-owned businesses

Statistic 17

About 35% of current mining workforce is over 45 years old, indicating a need for inclusive policies to attract younger diverse workers

Statistic 18

63% of exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo come from mineral resources, yet local employment in mining remains below 15%

Statistic 19

32% of mining workforce is comprised of migrant workers, highlighting diversity but also challenges related to inclusion

Statistic 20

Indigenous communities hold approximately 15% of the mineral rights in Africa, yet their participation in the workforce is limited

Statistic 21

About 28% of women in mining report experiencing bias or discrimination in hiring processes

Statistic 22

40% of mining companies report difficulties in recruiting minority candidates for technical roles

Statistic 23

Women in mining are 3 times more likely to leave the industry within the first five years, highlighting retention challenges

Statistic 24

Only 4% of miners are from indigenous backgrounds, despite indigenous communities representing a substantial portion of local populations

Statistic 25

The median age of the mining workforce is 41 years, with a slow increase in younger and more diverse workers

Statistic 26

42% of the global mining workforce is female, but only 10% of executive roles are held by women

Statistic 27

Workforce gender parity in mining is projected to be achieved by 2050 if current trends continue

Statistic 28

55% of employees from minority backgrounds feel their voices are heard in the workplace, versus 35% of non-minority employees

Statistic 29

Inclusive hiring practices in mining have increased the hiring of underrepresented groups by 15%

Statistic 30

22% of mining industry employees come from urban backgrounds; rural and indigenous inclusion remains low

Statistic 31

Dependent on region, up to 30% of mining labor force is made up of migrant workers, reflecting diverse national origins

Statistic 32

Minority women in mining report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to stay long-term with their companies

Statistic 33

Companies in the mining sector with higher diversity scores see a 20% increase in profitability

Statistic 34

40% of mining companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies

Statistic 35

Apprenticeships and training programs for underrepresented groups in mining increased by 30% over the last five years

Statistic 36

70% of mining companies believe that diversity improves team innovation

Statistic 37

50% of mining industry workers believe their companies should do more to promote racial and gender diversity

Statistic 38

Gender diversity initiatives in mining have increased recruitment of women by 20% in the last three years

Statistic 39

15% of mining companies have dedicated diversity officers or teams

Statistic 40

80% of millennials in mining favor working for companies with strong diversity and inclusion policies

Statistic 41

45% of mining companies have reported efforts to improve accessibility for employees with disabilities

Statistic 42

Multicultural teams in mining improve problem-solving outcomes by over 25%

Statistic 43

60% of mining firms report training programs aimed at increasing cultural competence

Statistic 44

20% increase in employee satisfaction was observed in mining companies after implementing DEI initiatives

Statistic 45

Mining companies with comprehensive DEI strategies are 2.3 times more likely to meet sustainability goals

Statistic 46

50% of mining industry workers support more transparency in company diversity practices

Statistic 47

Mining sector diversity-related spending increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023, indicating a growing focus on inclusion

Statistic 48

70% of mining companies have mentorship programs targeting underrepresented groups, aiming to improve inclusion

Statistic 49

Companies that actively promote DEI report 30% higher employee retention rates compared to those that do not

Statistic 50

Training programs focused on cultural competency have increased in popularity, with over 60% of companies adopting such initiatives

Statistic 51

Mining industry's investment in DEI initiatives increased by over 35% in the last three years, indicating rising prioritization

Statistic 52

68% of mining executives agree that diversity improves decision-making quality

Statistic 53

Companies with strong DEI programs are 2 times more likely to innovate new products and processes

Statistic 54

Employee training on unconscious bias has been adopted by nearly 50% of mining firms, improving workplace culture

Statistic 55

Training initiatives aimed at increasing retention of minority and female workers have resulted in a 10% reduction in turnover

Statistic 56

75% of major mining firms have publicly committed to diversity and inclusion goals for the next decade

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Key Highlights

  • Women comprise approximately 12% of the global mining workforce
  • Only 3% of senior leadership roles in mining are held by women
  • Minority groups in the mining industry account for around 15% of the workforce
  • Companies in the mining sector with higher diversity scores see a 20% increase in profitability
  • 40% of mining companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies
  • 60% of entry-level roles in mining are filled by young workers from diverse backgrounds
  • Indigenous peoples represent about 2% of the mining workforce globally
  • Companies with diverse boards see a 10-15% higher return on investment
  • 25% of women in mining report facing workplace harassment
  • Apprenticeships and training programs for underrepresented groups in mining increased by 30% over the last five years
  • Women leaders in mining companies are 1.7 times more likely to implement inclusive policies
  • African nations account for approximately 25% of the global mining output, yet only 10% of the mining workforce there is local
  • 70% of mining companies believe that diversity improves team innovation

Despite representing just 12% of the global mining workforce, companies prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion are reaping significant benefits—boosting innovation, profitability, and environmental governance—highlighting that true progress in mining depends on embracing a more inclusive industry culture.

Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, and Social Responsibility

  • Over 50% of mining companies establish partnerships with local communities to promote inclusive economic growth
  • In regions with active community engagement, mining productivity increases by approximately 15%, linked to inclusive policies

Community Engagement, Cultural Competence, and Social Responsibility Interpretation

When mining companies embrace local partnerships and inclusive policies, not only does productivity climb by 15%, but they also prove that inclusive growth isn’t just good ethics—it's good economics.

Corporate Policies, Spending, and Industry Impact

  • LGBTQ+ inclusion policies are adopted by about 10% of mining companies, with growing interest
  • Ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency efforts have increased by 40% in mining companies over the past five years, supporting DEI goals

Corporate Policies, Spending, and Industry Impact Interpretation

While LGBTQ+ inclusion policies remain a small fraction at around 10%, the 40% surge in ethical sourcing and supply chain transparency signals that mining companies are at least mining for more inclusive and responsible practices—if not quite striking gold yet.

Leadership Diversity and Career Advancement

  • Women leaders in mining companies are 1.7 times more likely to implement inclusive policies
  • 55% of underrepresented groups in mining believe their companies offer equal advancement opportunities
  • Women in leadership roles in mining are more likely to advocate for environmental and social governance initiatives

Leadership Diversity and Career Advancement Interpretation

These statistics reveal that diverse leadership in mining not only champions fairness and inclusion but also drives sustainable progress, proving that mining’s future is brighter—and more equitable—when women and underrepresented groups lead the charge.

Representation and Demographics of Underrepresented Groups

  • Women comprise approximately 12% of the global mining workforce
  • Only 3% of senior leadership roles in mining are held by women
  • Minority groups in the mining industry account for around 15% of the workforce
  • 60% of entry-level roles in mining are filled by young workers from diverse backgrounds
  • Indigenous peoples represent about 2% of the mining workforce globally
  • Companies with diverse boards see a 10-15% higher return on investment
  • 25% of women in mining report facing workplace harassment
  • African nations account for approximately 25% of the global mining output, yet only 10% of the mining workforce there is local
  • Only 5% of procurement contracts in mining are awarded to minority-owned businesses
  • About 35% of current mining workforce is over 45 years old, indicating a need for inclusive policies to attract younger diverse workers
  • 63% of exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo come from mineral resources, yet local employment in mining remains below 15%
  • 32% of mining workforce is comprised of migrant workers, highlighting diversity but also challenges related to inclusion
  • Indigenous communities hold approximately 15% of the mineral rights in Africa, yet their participation in the workforce is limited
  • About 28% of women in mining report experiencing bias or discrimination in hiring processes
  • 40% of mining companies report difficulties in recruiting minority candidates for technical roles
  • Women in mining are 3 times more likely to leave the industry within the first five years, highlighting retention challenges
  • Only 4% of miners are from indigenous backgrounds, despite indigenous communities representing a substantial portion of local populations
  • The median age of the mining workforce is 41 years, with a slow increase in younger and more diverse workers
  • 42% of the global mining workforce is female, but only 10% of executive roles are held by women
  • Workforce gender parity in mining is projected to be achieved by 2050 if current trends continue
  • 55% of employees from minority backgrounds feel their voices are heard in the workplace, versus 35% of non-minority employees
  • Inclusive hiring practices in mining have increased the hiring of underrepresented groups by 15%
  • 22% of mining industry employees come from urban backgrounds; rural and indigenous inclusion remains low
  • Dependent on region, up to 30% of mining labor force is made up of migrant workers, reflecting diverse national origins
  • Minority women in mining report higher job satisfaction and are more likely to stay long-term with their companies

Representation and Demographics of Underrepresented Groups Interpretation

Despite increased awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion, women and minority groups remain vastly underrepresented in mining's leadership and indigenous communities are notably absent from workforce participation, revealing that industry progress is more a matter of statistics than substantive change toward equitable opportunity.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

  • Companies in the mining sector with higher diversity scores see a 20% increase in profitability
  • 40% of mining companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies
  • Apprenticeships and training programs for underrepresented groups in mining increased by 30% over the last five years
  • 70% of mining companies believe that diversity improves team innovation
  • 50% of mining industry workers believe their companies should do more to promote racial and gender diversity
  • Gender diversity initiatives in mining have increased recruitment of women by 20% in the last three years
  • 15% of mining companies have dedicated diversity officers or teams
  • 80% of millennials in mining favor working for companies with strong diversity and inclusion policies
  • 45% of mining companies have reported efforts to improve accessibility for employees with disabilities
  • Multicultural teams in mining improve problem-solving outcomes by over 25%
  • 60% of mining firms report training programs aimed at increasing cultural competence
  • 20% increase in employee satisfaction was observed in mining companies after implementing DEI initiatives
  • Mining companies with comprehensive DEI strategies are 2.3 times more likely to meet sustainability goals
  • 50% of mining industry workers support more transparency in company diversity practices
  • Mining sector diversity-related spending increased by 25% between 2020 and 2023, indicating a growing focus on inclusion
  • 70% of mining companies have mentorship programs targeting underrepresented groups, aiming to improve inclusion
  • Companies that actively promote DEI report 30% higher employee retention rates compared to those that do not
  • Training programs focused on cultural competency have increased in popularity, with over 60% of companies adopting such initiatives
  • Mining industry's investment in DEI initiatives increased by over 35% in the last three years, indicating rising prioritization
  • 68% of mining executives agree that diversity improves decision-making quality
  • Companies with strong DEI programs are 2 times more likely to innovate new products and processes
  • Employee training on unconscious bias has been adopted by nearly 50% of mining firms, improving workplace culture
  • Training initiatives aimed at increasing retention of minority and female workers have resulted in a 10% reduction in turnover
  • 75% of major mining firms have publicly committed to diversity and inclusion goals for the next decade

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

In an industry historically rooted in rugged extraction, mining companies are striking more than just ore; they're cultivating diversity—boosting profits, sparking innovation, and mining new value from inclusion—proving that a more equitable workforce is the richest vein of all.

Sources & References