Stories

^{Wei-Ting discusses GemFair with artisanal miners.}

Why and when did you join GemFair?

I joined GemFair in August 2018. For as long as I’ve been a designer, I have always wanted to use the skill set I have for a good cause. Then last year I happened to have a chance to be interviewed for GemFair, which was then a pilot programme. Now it is up and running as De Beers Group’s digital solution to help connect miners in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector (ASM) to the global market. I was immediately interested and wanted to be part of creating a secure and transparent route from mine to market in the ASM sector and also do what I could to help improve the miners’ working conditions and life quality.

What roles have you had since you joined the company?

I was hired as a team designer and am working to make sure our services and products meet the business requirement of maintaining traceability and provenance and are designed in a user-centred manner.

Tell us what your current role involves: what are the highlights and the challenges?

We have developed a technical solution to make sure the ethically certified diamond route from mine to market is transparent and secure. The solution includes a web app and a dedicated tablet and is supported by a diamond toolkit that enables digital tracking of ASM diamonds. One of my biggest challenges is to design an app for people who are from a non-digital world where there are huge cultural differences. Designing a product that is easy enough for them to use and to trust is a challenge that I am currently working on. Another major challenge we are facing is the complex and opaque mining ecosystem in Sierra Leone, where we are currently using different research methods and testing plans to learn and understand the system. And my role in this big challenge is to help the team to simplify the complex process to a more scalable and sustainable approach. 

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in mining/diamonds?

As the mining industry is evolving continuously, a wide range of talents and skills are required to meet the needs from various areas. So the industry must draw from as wide a pool of talent as possible, and that means women as well as men. Although I’ve only been in the mining industry for about six months, I can see that changes from innovation and new technologies are creating many opportunities for the next generation. Women must go for it and take these opportunities. I certainly cannot see anything that will stop a woman from pursuing a successful career in the mining industry and the diamond industry in particular.

What do you think about the support De Beers Group gives to women?

I am still relatively new to the Group but, from what I’ve seen and experienced, I think it is very serious in working on diversity and inclusion and in its approach to gender equality and to encouraging ownership and empowerment. It makes me, as a woman, feel comfortable working here.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work?

I enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities. Travelling plays a big part in my spare time. I especially like to experience different cultures and languages, as well as learning about different cuisines. Museums and local food are two main things to explore when I travel. I have also done glassblowing and am looking for chances to continue with that. I especially like the idea that the craft process of glassblowing hasn’t changed much for centuries compared with other crafts. Other activities such as rock climbing, hiking and snowboarding are just some of the many other things I really enjoy, whenever I get the chance.