Tata Steel’s Landmark All-Women Shift Redefines Indian Mining
- Muhammad Ahmad
- Dec 17, 2024
- 2 min read
An all-women shift operationalized at Tata Steel’s Noamundi Iron Mine marks a historic step towards workplace equality
Empowering women across mining operations with “Women@Mines” and “Tejaswini” initiatives
India’s first all-women shift in mining operations launched by Tata Steel.
Women operate heavy machinery and oversee shift activities.
Initiative supported by “Women@Mines” and “Tejaswini” programs for skill development.
Tata Steel has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the launch of India’s first all-women shift at its Noamundi Iron Mine, operational from December 16, 2024. Women employees now perform all key mining activities, including operating heavy machinery like drills, dozers, and shovels and managing shift supervision. The initiative underscores Tata Steel’s commitment to gender equality in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The shift was inaugurated with key officials from the Directorate General of Mines Safety, with Deputy Director General Shyam Sundar Prasad highlighting the importance of creating progressive and equitable workplaces. Tata Steel’s leadership reaffirmed its dedication to diversity and inclusion as essential drivers of innovation and operational excellence.
Technical Focus
India’s mining industry remains male-dominated, with less than 10% female participation across various roles. Government amendments to the Mines Act in 2019 paved the way for greater inclusion, allowing women to work in all shifts. Tata Steel’s initiatives, like “Tejaswini,” have trained local women in heavy machinery operation, significantly advancing gender diversity in mining.
Building on its “Women@Mines” initiative, Tata Steel introduced the “Tejaswini” program in 2019, training women from nearby communities to operate Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM). The success of these efforts enabled the deployment of women across roles such as dumper, drill, and grader operators. “Tejaswini 2.0” and “2.1” further expanded opportunities, drawing thousands of applications and increasing female representation in the mining workforce.
“Our all-women shift is not just a milestone for Tata Steel but for the entire mining sector,” said D. B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President, Raw Materials at Tata Steel. “It is a testament to the resilience of women and our commitment to breaking barriers in the industry.”
This historic move is part of Tata Steel’s broader strategy to create inclusive workplaces. With women now contributing to mining operations, the company is redefining industry standards and ensuring equality across its workforce.