This series of infographics for the Women and the Mine of the Future project are derived from data collected from national labour force surveys (LFS), which are available centrally in the International Labour Organization (ILO). LFS are one of the primary national household sample surveys conducted by countries. They are designed with the objective to produce official national statistics on the labour force, employment and unemployment. The data is harmonized across countries, by the ILO, to ensure consistency in comparison. LFS typically require large samples with complex sample designs. Analysis of LFS data thus generally requires the use of weights and evaluation of associated sampling errors.

Where detailed data was available, employment data presented in the infographics for the mining industry is based on International Standard Industry Classification (ISIC) Code B for Mining and Quarrying, and include Mining of coal and lignite; Mining of metal ores; other mining and quarrying and mining service activities, excluding extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas.  For Sweden, South Africa and Zambia, the full Industry definition was required to be used.

The data presented in these infographics may slightly differ from national mining statistics as some countries may include extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas in their data sets. Furthermore, the LFS is collected as a sample survey across all industries, which may contain sampling errors.

National mining statistics are collected at industry-specific level and provide a more detailed picture, possibly without sampling errors. They would have a more focused view of the working conditions within the industry. For more information see the ILO Website: https://www.ilo.org/surveyLib/index.php/catalog/LFS/about

The data for these infographics was prepared by Marion MacFeely.