By Yvonne Rudolph, Branch Manager Kathu, PRISMA Training SolutionsThe South African mining sector has made meaningful progress in opening operational roles to women but inclusion is now entering a more demanding phase. These measures are essential, yet the transition is often abrupt and can leave expecting mothers feeling disconnected from their roles and teams. Time away from physically demanding work can be used to build competencies in digital tools, planning processes and communication skills that are increasingly central to modern mining operations. At its core, supporting expecting mothers is not a complex policy challenge but a reflection of how the industry values its people. Mining companies that move beyond compliance and embed genuine support into their operations will set a new benchmark for inclusion.