L&T’s Bold Move: An All-Women Team Is Driving Change in Mining
Can women operate massive mining machinery? L&T believed they could and set out to prove it. In 2020, the company took a bold step by launching an all-women team to run and maintain heavy-duty mining equipment, challenging long-standing gender norms in an industry traditionally dominated by men.
With a clear vision, L&T created opportunities, provided the right training, and built a strong support system to ensure these women could succeed.
As Arvind K Garg, Senior VP and Head of L&T Construction & Mining Machinery Business, shares, the goal was to break barriers and show that talent, not gender, determines success.
Today, at the Noamundi site, this vision has turned into reality.
What started as a small team has grown into a confident, skilled unit, proving that with the right support, women can excel in any role. By leading this change, L&T is shaping a more inclusive future for the mining industry.
A new chapter for women in mining
From the beginning, L&T knew that training alone wasn’t enough; they had to build an environment where women felt supported at every step. Entering a male-dominated industry came with its own set of challenges, and L&T took thoughtful measures to make the workplace safer and more accessible.
Dedicated restrooms and wellness rooms were set up, and tools were redesigned to make physically demanding tasks easier.
L&T took thoughtful measures to make the workplace safer and more accessible to women
But the real challenge wasn’t just the work itself — it was changing long-held perceptions about what women can or cannot do.
Many women on the team faced resistance from their families, who doubted whether they belonged in mining. L&T stood by them, offering not just jobs but encouragement and backing to help them push through.
Guidance from senior colleagues and mentors made a difference, ensuring that every team member had the confidence and skills to meet the demands of the job. And when the COVID-19 pandemic put a financial strain on families everywhere, L&T continued to show support, proving that even male-dominated spaces can be built for women.
While companies around the world struggled, L&T ensured that salaries were paid on time, sometimes even in advance, thus giving these women much-needed stability during an uncertain time.
Guidance from senior colleagues and mentors helped the women take charge in the mining department
Today, the team is stronger than ever.
With the right training, resources, and support, they’ve built their place in the industry. L&T’s approach opened doors for these women, and it made sure they had everything they needed to walk through them.
Over forty women, countless possibilities
The women of the team, who once faced resistance to their decision to enter such a physically demanding field, have now proven that they can lead, manage, and excel in roles once thought to be exclusively for men.
Through training, resources, and encouragement, L&T enabled them to reach their full potential and operate the massive machines independently within a challenging industry.
From the first batch of women trained, L&T has onboarded many more, each one receiving the necessary support to succeed in a demanding and physically challenging environment.
The initial group of six women trained at L&T’s workshops and service stations moved to mining sites, and over the course of a few years, 47 women have been onboarded — 40 of whom have completed their training, while seven more have joined as apprentices.
The initiative also confronted a deeply ingrained mindset that suggested women could not adapt to such demanding environments. As Arvind Garg says, the misconception that it was too difficult or impossible for women to perform these tasks was challenged. The women showed dedication and a strong desire to learn, qualities essential for success in any industry.
Leading the way: How L&T’s women are inspiring the next generation
When L&T launched its all-women mining machinery team, the journey began with a group of determined women stepping into an industry where they had little representation. Today, they are not just skilled operators — they are mentors, training and supporting other women who share the same aspirations.
The team made it clear from the start that they didn’t need special treatment — just the right training and support to do their jobs well. L&T listened. In 2020, the first batch of women underwent a 45-day training programme that combined classroom learning with hands-on experience. They learned to operate massive mining machines, handle real-world challenges, and build the confidence needed to work in the field.
With the right training and resources, the women have built their place in the L&T mining industry
L&T’s efforts have had a far-reaching impact. What began as a bold step has now turned into a growing movement. Arvind Garg shares that the team’s success has gone beyond expectations, proving that with the right opportunities, women can excel in any industry. Encouraged by this, L&T is committed to strengthening and expanding the initiative.
With each new batch, these women are shaping the future of mining. They are showing that skill, determination, and the right support can open doors that once seemed out of reach. And with L&T championing change, the industry is becoming more inclusive, one step at a time.
This article is in partnership with L&T.
Edited by Khushi Arora and Leila Badyari
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