In Southern Province of Rwanda, a quiet revolution is reshaping the mining industry. Once seen as a male-only field, mining now employs 70 percent women through the inclusive policies of Havilla Mines Ltd.

For years, women avoided mining sites due to stereotypes, stigma, and safety concerns. Employers believed mining required male strength, communities wrongly labeled female miners as immoral, and frequent accidents discouraged parents from allowing their daughters to work underground. Even basic facilities for women were missing.

Havilla Mines Ltd has changed that narrative. Operating in Nyagisozi Sector, Nyanza District of Rwanda, the company has become a beacon of progress in the mining industry. At its plant, 80 employees are engaged in operations — 60 women and 20 men — a workforce composition that shows women can thrive in mining and drive meaningful change in the sector.

Gender stereotypes have been dismantled, with women now working alongside men. Social stigma is fading as female miners demonstrate professionalism and resilience. Safety standards have improved, reassuring parents about their daughters’ employment. Workplace facilities now ensure dignity and comfort for women.

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Joseline Dusabimana, a 21-year-old miner, recalls how stigma once marginalized women: “We used to have no jobs in the village. Now, thanks to Havilla, we earn money, solve daily problems, and even join savings groups.”

Another young miner explained: “This job helps me pay for school, buy livestock, and meet my needs without asking my parents.”

Jeannette Nyirahibayambere, with a decade of mining experience, praised Havilla’s compliance with laws and safety standards: “My salary educated two children, bought a house, a motorcycle, and even a cow producing 10 liters of milk daily.”

On behalf of Havilla Mines Ltd, coordinator Gasare Theonest highlighted the company’s unique approach. While Rwanda’s national policy encourages 30 percent female employment, Havilla has gone further 70 % of its plant workers are women. “We found women to be especially honest and reliable. None has ever stolen from us. That’s why we employ a majority of women in mining,” he said.

Jointly owned by Rwandan and Indian investors, Havilla Mines Ltd is among the leading mining firms in Rwanda’s Southern Province. It is recognized for environmental protection, workplace safety, and modern open-pit mining methods. Using advanced machinery, the company processes large volumes of ore daily. Management plans to expand production to double its current capacity, a move expected to further increase women’s employment beyond the current 70%.

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