Welcome to South African Women in Mining Association

South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA) was launched in December 1999, when former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, was appointed Minister of Minerals and Energy.

Shortly after Mlambo-Ngcuka’s new portfolio, she expressed concern at the alarming absence of women’s participation in the mining industry. Her vision was to see women play a more prominent role in mining. Having been driven by this desire, Mlambo-Ngcuka spearheaded the formation of SAWIMA.

The focus of SAWIMA is two-fold:

• To assist informal mining groups to obtain mineral rights and run mining businesses/operations and
• To promote female empowerment in the mining sector in accordance with provisions of the Mining Charter.