WOMEN IN MINING COUNSELED
Head of Mining at Morupule Coal mine, Keneilwe Orapeleng has advised that as women join the mining industry they should ensure that they focus more on personal growth and development in order to gain relevant experience about mining industry operations.
Recently speaking during the women in mining conference, she said it is important to take time and learn how the industry operates without rushing to become a leader. “As you get to the industry what you need to focus on is personal growth and development and become a woman that people can see leadership in. You can’t come and expect to be at the front just because you are a graduate. You have to learn from experienced people that you find on the job.”
She explained that being a leader as a woman in the mining field does not mean that there should be some form of leniency towards females but the focus should be productivity and delivery of quality service. “About being on top as a woman, I would say if you are in the work place you should not differentiate between a man and a woman. So if you are at work you should focus on results regardless of whether you are a man or a woman.”
In an interview with Business Trends, AMS Assistant Mine Planning Engineer, Thuli Fane emphasised that although mining is a male dominated field, women have to be determined and make sure that they progress despite stereotypes and limitations. “I had to prove myself, even with my school work I always put an extra effort to become the best performer.”
According to global statistics, women make up 8 – 17 percent of the mining industry. This means that less than a fifth of all people in the mining industry are female or an average of 12.5 percent.