A Comparative Study of Gender Disparities in Geoscience and Mining in Mongolia

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aut.relation.endpage262
aut.relation.issue9
aut.relation.journalGeosciences (Switzerland)
aut.relation.startpage262
aut.relation.volume13
dc.contributor.authorOchir, G
dc.contributor.authorBaatar, M
dc.contributor.authorSanjaa, M
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, H
dc.date.accessioned2023-11-08T23:28:23Z
dc.date.available2023-11-08T23:28:23Z
dc.date.issued2023-08-29
dc.description.abstractMongolian women enjoy equal rights and actively participate in various sectors of the national economy, including the mineral and mining industry. The Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST), the largest university in Mongolia, plays a crucial role in preparing engineers for the Mongolian industry. Within MUST, the School of Geology and Mining Engineering (SGME) stands out as one of the largest schools, boasting a dedicated team of 136 staff members. Impressively, 92 of these staff members are female, constituting a remarkable 67.65% of the total staff. The directorial board of SGME, consisting of 12 members, also demonstrates a noteworthy level of gender diversity, with 5 of its members being female. This represents a proportion of 41.67% and highlights the inclusion of women in decision-making positions. Additionally, it is worth noting that the Geology and Hydrogeology department, one of the five departments within the School, is led by a capable female leader. However, despite the encouraging representation of women among staff and in leadership roles, there is a noticeable disparity in the enrollment and graduation rates of students at SGME. Currently, these rates stand at only about 20–24 percent, indicating the need for further efforts to encourage and support female students in pursuing geology and mining engineering studies. Outside of academia, within the mining industry, the Oyu Tolgoi large-scale mine, which in 2022 employed 20,328 workers, faces a significant gender imbalance. Out of this workforce, only 3577 are women, comprising a mere 18% of the total employees, while the remaining 82% are men. Among the 2997 total employees in the open pit mine, 737 women are employed in various roles, including 66 engineers and technicians, with the remaining 671 in other positions. In the newly opened underground mine, the total number of women employees stands at 2840, including 248 engineers and technicians and 2592 in other roles. Furthermore, on the Board of Directors, there are only 2 women out of a total of 23 managers, and a mere 104 women hold positions as senior staff and superintendents. A comparative analysis between Asia and other global regions reveals that female employment in Mongolia’s mining sector in general, at 18%, closely aligns with Oceania’s rates (17%) and surpasses those of both the broader Asian region (13%) and South America (11%). Addressing these statistical imbalances is crucial to improving gender equality in geoscience and mining. Historically, the mining industry has been male-dominated, but women-led professional geoscience and mining organizations in Mongolia play a vital role in promoting the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in these industries. Recognizing the significance of gender diversity, these organizations strive to increase the representation of women in leadership positions. Women in leadership bring unique perspectives that contribute to well-rounded decision-making processes within organizations. By acknowledging the importance of gender dynamics, promoting inclusivity, and supporting the professional growth of Mongolian women in geoscience and mining, the overall development and sustainability of these sectors in the country will be greatly enhanced.
dc.identifier.citationGeosciences (Switzerland), ISSN: 2076-3263 (Print); 2076-3263 (Online), MDPI AG, 13(9), 262-262. doi: 10.3390/geosciences13090262
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/geosciences13090262
dc.identifier.issn2076-3263
dc.identifier.issn2076-3263
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/16899
dc.languageen
dc.publisherMDPI AG
dc.relation.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/9/262
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject37 Earth Sciences
dc.subject3705 Geology
dc.subject3706 Geophysics
dc.subject5 Gender Equality
dc.subject4 Quality Education
dc.subject0403 Geology
dc.subject0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject0909 Geomatic Engineering
dc.subject3705 Geology
dc.subject3706 Geophysics
dc.titleA Comparative Study of Gender Disparities in Geoscience and Mining in Mongolia
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.elements-id526133
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