Women in mining – Jabu Majozi explains how women have much to offer in the mining industry
Women in mining – Jabu Majozi explains how women have much to offer in the mining industry.
I joined the ranks of the diamond mining geologists at De Beers this year. It was a career dream come true.
And I soon discovered that my contribution as a woman could make a significant difference to the company.
I’ve always been fascinated by the complex geology and formation of minerals, so I was naturally attracted to knowing more about the diamond formation process. I realised that, if I wanted experience in diamond geology, I would have to get it from the best – and De Beers is known as the world’s leading diamond company.
However, despite my passion for diamond mining, I could not join De Beers immediately after completing my BSc Honours degree in geology as I had to fulfil my bursary obligations with Anglo American Platinum. I started working at its Rustenburg operations in 2010 before transferring to Dishaba Mine as a section geologist 18 months later.
However, a few years later, I saw a geology post advertised at Venetia Mine and knew I had to grab with both hands the opportunity to work for the company of my dreams.
I was appointed as geologist for the underground project at Venetia Mine in February and, although I was ecstatic about the opportunity, I found that adjusting from platinum mining to diamond mining was not easy.
The geology is more complex and the systems used as well as the geologist’s function are very different. Although the change was tough for me, it was not as bad as I had expected, as my supervisor was very understanding and patient with me. He is still teaching me everything that I need to know to become a better diamond geologist. Every day at work, I have the opportunity to learn something new.
Fitting into this field of work, where men outnumber women, was a challenge for me to overcome. However, my supervisor worked closely with me to establish systems to help me reinforce my position with colleagues and define myself as a capable leader they could trust.
I think I have now proved myself as a visionary and democratic team leader with excellent people skills and understanding, as well as the ability to ensure all-round participation while leading my team towards a common goal for the benefit of everyone involved.
Nevertheless, I still feel that mining is not for the faint-hearted. There is a lot of stress and hard work involved, and it takes determination, but one thing is guaranteed – it will bring out the best in you. The mining industry challenges you physically and mentally, but in the end you come out of it better than before.
My personal strategy for starting each day is: no matter how you feel when you wake up, dress up and show up! Also, never forget that, as a woman, you have much to offer the mining industry. Women are better negotiators by nature, because we have the ability to put ourselves in another’s shoes. This puts us a step ahead in conflict resolution.
Secondly, our responsible nature and ability to think ahead are vital in planning for the life of the mine, as it means that options will be carefully analysed before decisions are made. Women are compassionate and will find the balance between business – profits – and giving back to the surrounding communities.
Above all, women in mining bring the hope to other women that nothing is impossible, that we are not inferior and that we possess all the powers that men have. We are also capable, both physically and mentally, of doing the things than men can do, if we put our minds to it.