Tata Steel has operationalized an all-women shift at its Noamundi Iron Mine, marking a development in workforce diversification in the mining sector. The shift includes women employees handling all mining activities, such as operating heavy earth-moving machinery (HEMM) and performing supervisory roles.
The move is part of Tata Steel’s “Women@Mines” and “Tejaswini” initiatives, which aim to recruit and train women for various roles in the mining ecosystem. According to a press release from Tata Steel, this marks the culmination of efforts that began in 2019 when changes to the Mines Act, 1952, allowed women to work in all shifts in mines.
The “Tejaswini 2.0” program, launched in 2021, trained women from local communities as HEMM operators. After completing rigorous training, participants were employed in roles such as shovel, drill, dozer, and grader operators. In 2022, the program expanded with the launch of “Tejaswini 2.1,” attracting over 2,100 applications and resulting in the induction of 24 operators.
The Noamundi Mine also inducted nine transgender HEMM operators earlier this year, further diversifying its workforce.
Tata Steel stated that 20% of its India workforce comprises diverse groups, and it has received recognition for its inclusion efforts, including a Gold Employer ranking from the India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI) 2024.
This initiative reflects broader efforts in the Indian mining industry to increase workforce participation from underrepresented groups.