Women’s role and challenges in the expanding critical minerals sector

The global demand for critical minerals such as cobalt and nickel is increasing rapidly as countries expand electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy technologies. A new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development highlights that women remain underrepresented in the mining sector, making up only about 10-13% of the industrial mining workforce. In regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many women work in artisanal mining but are often limited to lower-paid and more hazardous tasks without proper training or protection. The report warns that without gender-inclusive policies in mining governance and supply chains, the growing critical minerals industry could reinforce existing gender inequalities instead of creating equitable opportunities.

Source: adapted from UNCTAD, March 2026.