Women Miners in India

Mineral extraction industries have been active in India for over 3000 years. The Indian mineral industry reveals a varied range of extractive and mineral products and India is among the top 10 top mineral producing countries in the world. The economy of the country depends upon the revenue accrued from various mineral outputs (3.48% gross domestic product). Mineral distribution in India is widespread and quite commonly these minerals are found in areas considered ecologically sensitive and/or rich in biodiversity. However, mining is seen as a ‘masculine’ industry and it is believed that the women play an insignificant role in it. This paper overviews the Indian Mines Act (1957) for providing employment to the women miners and investigates the daily employment of women in coal, lignite, and metalliferrous mines. It also examines the contribution and position of India in world production vis-à-vis the principal minerals and explores the significance of the mineral production in the country. This study reveals that women are inducted in the mining industry in non-traditional ways. The fact that women comprise an important workforce in mining industry is always downplayed. This paper discusses the socio-economic characteristics of women as miners and the productive roles that women play in mining. It also reviews the involvement of women miners in the industry and concludes that women's work in the mines needs to be recognized and enhanced. It is further suggested that more of women participation can be ensured by providing better training to women leading to capacity building, skill enhancement, and improved safety measures.