We are very excited to announce that Mando Solutions has signed a new partnership with Women in Mining UK, joining forces to help attract more women into careers across the minerals industry.
It’s a sector where representation still has a long way to go. Women currently make up only around a fifth of roles in mineral extractives and mineral manufacturing, one of the lowest levels of female participation of any technical industry. This new agreement builds on the existing partnership between Women in Mining UK and Minerals Matter, bringing Mando’s recruitment expertise into the mix to help target female talent and widen the pipeline of women entering the sector.
Why does this matter?
Lisa Saunders, Programme Director for Minerals Matter, has been clear that change so far has been slow, and that reaching girls early, particularly those interested in sustainability or geosciences, is key to shifting that. The ambition isn’t just to get more women into the industry, but to make sure they can genuinely progress once they’re in it, rather than remaining concentrated in lower-paid, non-operational roles. The goal is that Minerals Matter will continue its schools and education programme, raising awareness of STEM subjects and helping young people see the full breadth of career paths on offer, from technical and operational roles through to sustainability and management.
What is Mando’s role in the partnership?
Mando Solutions’ role will be to use our recruitment expertise to help target women and encourage them to join the sector. Rachel Corcoran, Managing Director of Mando Solutions, commented that, “Following more than 20 years of supporting the mineral extractive sector, we’re delighted to be working with Women in Mining UK and Minerals Matter to help open more doors for women across the industry. Their ability to engage, inspire and connect with people considering a career in the sector, combined with our experience of placing talented individuals into the right roles, creates a real opportunity to make a lasting impact. Together, we want to help more women find rewarding careers in the industry while supporting employers in building the skilled workforce they need for the future.”
What happens next?
The partnership kicks off with a pilot in September, working with The School Outreach Company to engage schools in areas with strong links to extractives employers, with a particular focus on reaching a high proportion of female students and dispelling common myths about the work itself. The initiative will build towards a celebration event in Spring 2027, recognising female ambassadors and hearing from key voices shaping the industry’s future workforce.
It’s a sentiment echoed by those already working in the sector. As process and environmental engineer Emily Heaton put it, her own assumptions about the industry couldn’t have been further from reality once she joined, finding it far more diverse and technically varied than she expected.
Get Involved!
Minerals Matter is inviting professionals across mining, quarrying and the wider minerals sector to become ambassadors, sharing their own career journeys and supporting school outreach to help inspire the next generation.
Want the full story, including more on the campaign and how to get involved as an ambassador? Read the full announcement here.
