Hard Hats and Heels: the Fabulous Women in Mining

04/15/2014

On the heels of women’s month, DIWATA – Women in Resource Development Inc. sponsored the recent edition of the Philippine Mining Luncheon titled “Women as Game Changers in Resource Development” last 11 April 2014 at the Manila Polo Club. 

During the event, Ms. Kathleen Digdigan shares her experience as TVIRD’s resource geologist.  Below are excerpts from her message:

“In my line of work, the usual industry pick-up line is: ‘What is a woman like you doing in an industry like this?’  I usually encounter this every time I declare that I am a geologist. And whenever people ask me this question, I would jokingly tell them it is because most men are already taking-up nursing!  So I guess it is fair enough that women penetrate and excel in a previously male-dominated profession.

But seriously though, I chose to stay in this profession because in spite of being a woman, I found my place in the mining industry.

Early experiences

As a fresh graduate, it took a while before I convinced my boss to send me to the field. My first stint as a professional geologist was spent conducting grass roots exploration at TVIRD’s Tamarok Copper Project which is also located in Zamboanga del Norte.

At first, the senior guys on the team were not really comfortable in the company of lady geologists in the field, given all the safety and security concerns as well as risks present in Mindanao.  Now, TVIRD did not earn its safety recognitions for nothing.  On top of that, the company deeply values its female resource.

But apart from that, we cannot really blame the men for their discomfort.  Having female staff in the field meant having to construct separate wash rooms, separate bedrooms, taking more stopovers during travel, needing additional local staff to assist us in carrying rock samples and so on.

But despite all these, we were confident that we could perform at par with the men on the field due to our practical trainings during our years at the National Institute of Geological Sciences of the University of the Philippines.

While I do acknowledge the significant contribution of many great men to the mining industry, I also believe that women bring great value to the work place.  This value contribution is called ‘intuition.’  Female intuition combines forward-thinking, instinct and character with sympathy, consideration and a meticulous attention to detail.

Ladies and gentlemen, women bring a lot of ‘heart’ to the workplace.  And the men would have to admit that a little female intuition has kept them from making the wrong decisions whether on the job or out of it.

Changing the game

After acquiring skills from my stint in Laos, I requested to be hired back at TVIRD. I was then appointed Senior Mine Geologist during the company’s sulphide project in Canatuan.

Looking back, the Mines Department was driven by an all-female staff.  With me were two mining engineers, three mine geologists, a geodetic engineer and a GIS specialist – all of us women!

From as low as 11 percent recovery in the mill, we were able to increase the copper recovery to about 95 percent!  We were able to convert marginal ore to additional reserves through proper blending.  But most of all – and as a result of this – TVIRD was able to produce and meet its shipping requirement schedule.

We knew right then that we were not only breaking into a stereotypical man’s world.  We actually made it more fabulous!

The game HAS definitely changed and it is also largely because of girl power.

Changing court

Now what happens next when you start having kids?  Would you still conduct fieldwork? I asked myself these questions upon learning that I was expecting.  The game just got more interesting for me…

Nonetheless, and despite my changing role in life, I am still aware of how critical my job is.  I take my job as seriously as I take motherhood. A mining project also needs to be molded, to be nurtured and cultivated in order for it to reach its potential.

This, my dear audience, is how a woman treats a project.  With a little foresight – and a lot of heart – women are able to change the game and change along with it.  Moreover, women are able to innovate and evolve in a progressive industry where the proverbial glass ceiling is a thing of the past.  Proof of this is our female CFO, Ms. Lily Ann Panelo, and our Vice President for Corporate Services, Ms. Yody Marzo, who is also a proud member of Diwata.

Today, as the industry faces various challenges, I consider myself fortunate to be part of this defining moment in our corporate history.

Back in Canatuan, as women played a vital role in the early days by institutionalizing genuine community engagements, women today continue to make good on a promise that TVIRD made close to 20 years ago – and that is to ensure the long-term sustainability of Canatuan in the years to come, especially for the indigenous Subanons to whose trust in TVIRD we dedicate our success.

Our women will continue to work hard to ensure this.  Our female environmentalists, chemists, community relations personnel, foresters, lawyers, accountants and other licensed professionals – and yes, we have a female Subanon nurse too – all of us will work hand-in-heart with our male colleagues to take our company and our industry even further into the 20^th century.

Ladies and gentlemen, the mining industry’s future is going to be an interesting one.  And with women on board, I assure you…it’s going to be fabulous!”

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