Anglo American’s iron ore business, Kumba Iron Ore, has launched a groundbreaking maternity Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) initiative, becoming one of the first mining companies to develop specialised safety apparel designed specifically for expecting mothers.
The programme, launched ahead of Women’s Month in South Africa, includes custom-designed maternity PPE, comprehensive maternity hampers and dedicated breastfeeding facilities across all operations.
“This initiative shifts the needle in our industry by recognising that motherhood is a vital and supported part of our workforce’s journey,” said Dr. Pranill Ramchander, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs at Kumba Iron Ore. “We’re moving beyond basic legislative compliance to create an environment where women can bring their whole selves to work.”
The programme is aligned to Anglo American’s commitment to building a workplace culture that is fair and supportive of all types of diversity. Led by the Kumba Women in Mining (WiM) committee under Kutlwano Takadi’s leadership, the initiative represents a collaborative effort across the organisation.
The programme offers three key components across all Kumba operations:
- Specialised maternity PPE: Custom-designed, safety-compliant maternity two-tone Velcro shirts and maternity jeans
- Maternity hampers: Essential early childcare items for new mothers
- Lactation facilities: Safe, hygienic spaces for breastfeeding mothers returning from maternity leave
“WiM serves as a catalyst group that advocates for women at Kumba, to progress women’s inclusion and empowerment agenda, thus accelerating an inclusive environment,” said Dr. Ramchander.
The initiative reinforces Kumba’s belief in “empowerment through inclusion” and addresses everyday challenges women face in mining workplaces. By providing comprehensive support through pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal journey, Kumba ensures employee well-being at every stage of the maternal journey.
This approach recognises that while women have made significant strides in mining over the past 20 years, true inclusion requires acknowledging uniquely woman-related workplace experiences. The programme demonstrates that pregnancy is respected, not just accommodated, building a culture of care, visibility and support.
