Managing gender diversity and barriers to inclusion: lived experiences of women employees in a South African coal mining company

These findings highlight the limitations of surface-level reforms and underscore the need for deeper institutional change. Meaningful gender diversity can enhance collaboration, innovation, and workplace morale, but these benefits remain unrealised without stronger policy enforcement, inclusive organizational cultures, mentorship, gender-sensitive recruitment, safe reporting mechanisms, and targeted support for women's professional development. This research provides practical guidance for re-evaluating current diversity strategies and calls for a shift from symbolic inclusion to structural transformation within South Africa's mining industry.