I was raised in Zimbabwe by a single mother who has always been an inspiring example to me and my siblings of what it means to #BeBoldforChange. In a society where women typically worked in non-technical roles, my mother was one of the few women who chose a career in information and communications technology and computer science in the 1980s. Growing up, we watched her start as a secretary and advance to the executive level of her company. She defied all odds in her profession, while raising three children in the process.

I never quite realised the impact my mother’s actions had on me until I was much older — she’s the reason my approach in life is to be brave and bold, and to welcome change. For me, to #BeBoldforChange means to “take the bull by the horns” and run with whatever life throws my way. I make the best of every situation and, as they say, “do it afraid.”

I want to impact the world by creating more opportunities for young women — particularly those from minority backgrounds who overcome social, economic and cultural barriers — to hold leadership roles. I believe that true impact comes from seeing tangible examples of women (like my mother) who were able to break the glass ceiling and use their positions of influence, not only as a voice for women in the boardroom, but to open the door for other women to follow in their footsteps.

As women, I believe we can embrace all things that embody femininity while being bold in who we are and proud of the value we bring to our own spheres of influence and society as a whole.

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To provide some context on the importance of mining in Africa, the continent is richly gifted with mineral reserves and ranks either first or second  in its quantity of world reserves of bauxite, cobalt, industrial diamonds, phosphate rock, platinum-group metals and gold — with gold mining as the main mining resource. For many African countries, mineral exploration and beneficiation contributes significantly to their economic growth and gross domestic product. However, there are many challenges in attracting investments in Africa’s mineral industry due to the lack of infrastructure and availability of large pools of skilled resources to support the projects as well as socio-political instability.

The solution to these challenges for the global mining community — mining houses, engineering houses, investors and governments — calls for further development and a deliberate focus on a mining strategy for Africa. This strategy would need to provide for the building and maintenance of sustainable communities that will enable continued business beyond the scope of the projects and life of the mines.

In my experience working in the mining industry, this strategy has not been given the attention and focus it deserves. It is commonly referred to as “corporate social responsibility” or a “corporate social initiative,” which in my opinion, creates a bias toward this being a philanthropic effort rather than a sustainable, long-term business and industry strategy. By giving the right focus and attention to this strategy, the global mining community will create a sustainable environment for the future of mining in Africa. Not only does this create a sustainable environment, it significantly lowers the socio-political risks that often turn investors away from Africa.

There is, indeed, a greater role to play above ground with a strategy such as this that could pave the way for the future and also one that, in recent times, has been taken up by women within Africa’s mining sector. Women like Daphne Mashile-Nkosi, executive chairperson of Kalagadi Manganese Pty Ltd in South Africa, which currently owns the largest manganese sinter plant in the world, are setting the trend in advocating for mining strategies. These strategies are bringing about sustainable environmental solutions on water and carbon emissions, electricity supply, community infrastructure development, local supplier development, education, skills training and the setup of long-term community trusts or funds.

Women in Africa are influencing and driving these pivotal mining strategies particularly when it comes to the decision making, financing, investing, engineering and governance of mining projects in Africa. The mining industry in Africa still has a long way to go — with much of Africa’s resources untapped — and, as it evolves, the role of women in unlocking the present barriers and challenges will grow with it. There is no doubt that a need exists to bring about faster development and increased investor confidence, but the solution lies in looking at mining in Africa with a different perspective — one offered by the women who are leading the way.

What are your thoughts on women leading the mining industry in Africa? Comment below, and be sure to use the #WomenExcel hashtag when you share this post on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

Fadzai Nyamasve is a senior project engineer in ArchTam’s mining and metals business line in Africa. She has experience in mining resources projects in both Australia and Africa, and is passionate about mining and development in Africa.
LinkedIn:  Fadzai Nyamasve

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