The race for critical and rare-earth mineral dominance is escalating, underscored by the Trump administration’s recent agreement with Ukraine. Demand for critical minerals—which power clean energy, artificial intelligence, and much more—is now projected, in a net-zero scenario, to nearly triple by 2030. These minerals are often extracted from the world’s most blood-soaked soil, where women and girls already face heightened risks from armed conflict. Proliferation of mineral agreements will uniquely impact women, who are crucial to the success of mining yet disproportionately shoulder its negative consequences.

Women’s inclusion leads to better outcomes for mining projects. Women’s employment and leadership are associated with greater profit, improved risk management, and better community relations. Mining companies in Chile, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea—key sites for critical mineral extraction—found that women more efficiently operate heavy equipment than men; an Australian mining firm reported that its most inclusive teams had 67 percent fewer injuries while remaining more productive. Higher rates of female representation on mining companies’ boards is even associated with improved performance on environmental, social, and governance indicators. Beyond employment through mining firms, women serve as crucial interlocutors for extraction projects and local populations, given their leadership in environmental defense movements and as community organizers.

The race for critical and rare-earth mineral dominance is escalating, underscored by the Trump administration’s recent agreement with Ukraine. Demand for critical minerals—which power clean energy, artificial intelligence, and much more—is now projected, in a net-zero scenario, to nearly triple by 2030. These minerals are often extracted from the world’s most blood-soaked soil, where women and girls already face heightened risks from armed conflict. Proliferation of mineral agreements will uniquely impact women, who are crucial to the success of mining yet disproportionately shoulder its negative consequences.

Women’s inclusion leads to better outcomes for mining projects. Women’s employment and leadership are associated with greater profit, improved risk management, and better community relations. Mining companies in Chile, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea—key sites for critical mineral extraction—found that women more efficiently operate heavy equipment than men; an Australian mining firm

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