Women in Mining UK on 19 November published the 2020 edition of its biennial 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining list, which featured 22 inspirational women from the African mining sector.
The 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining (WIM100) publication celebrates the “above & beyond” contributions of women to the global mining industry, across all roles, seniority and jurisdictions. These women have been chosen because they are trailblazers, fierce advocates of others and/or have persevered in the face of adversity.
The 2020 edition, sponsored by BMO Capital Markets, BCG, IBM and Heidrick & Struggles, is the third edition of the WIM100 publication, which highlights the incredible diversity of talent in mining. WIM UK believes that the recognition and celebration of these inspirational women and their stories are integral to changing attitudes in the mining sector.
WIM UK received more than 1 100 nominations for 626 women in mining working at 356 companies across 60 countries. The nominations were roughly equally split between Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe/Middle East, Latin America, and North America. The number of nominations and the number of women nominated are by far the highest received since WIM UK launched the publication in 2013.
The 100 successful nominees came from more than 30 countries and the 22 African women are from10 countries across the continent. The nominations came from all areas of the mining sector – mining companies, technical, operational, commercial and support services, academia, government, and industry associations.
“The 626 nominees have inspired more than 1,100 men and women and we hope through the WIM100 book they will inspire many more to enter the mining industry, progress their career, and advocate for change to ensure inclusion and diversity are entrenched in every company’s culture and strategy around the world,” says WIM UK Chair, Carole Cable.
The 22 inspirational African women in mining include:
- Naseem Banu Lahri, Managing Director at Lucara Diamond (Botswana)
- Lika Scott Sow, West Africa Mining Commercial Manager at Caterpillar (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Djariatou Traore, Vice President Supply Chain at Endeavour Mining (Cote d’Ivoire)
- Marie-Chantal Kaninda, Head of Corporate Affairs at Glencore (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- Rosemary Okla, Geographic Information Systems Specialist at Ghana Geological Authority (Ghana)
- Florence Adu, Senior Geologist at Newmont (Ghana)
- Amina Tahiru, Managing Director at Zenon Group (Ghana)
- Elizabeth Kyalo, Port and Shipping Manager at Base Titanium (Kenya)
- Melba Wasunna, External Affairs Manager at Base Titanium (Kenya)
- Miriam Wairimu Kamau, Founder and Director at Mimo Gems (Kenya)
- Mamaye Kouma, Maintenance Planning Coordinator (Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Mine Complex) at Barrick Gold (Mali)
- Awa Fofana, Underground Safety Superintendent (Syama Gold Mine) at Resolute Mining (Mali)
- Zenzi Awases, President at Women in Mining Association of Namibia (Namibia)
- Fourera Sotty Maiga, Head of Environment and Sustainable Development at COMINAK (Niger)
- Aida Diop Ndiaye, President at Women In Mining Senegal (Senegal)
- Petro du Pisani, Head of Business Improvement Projects at Anglo American (South Africa)
- Natascha Viljoen, CEO at Anglo American Platinum (South Africa)
- Rumisha Motilal, General Manager: Mining at Gilbarco (South Africa)
- Boipelo Lekubo, Financial Director at Harmony Gold Mining Company (South Africa)
- Lehlogonolo Moseri, Managing Director at Mosa Green Consulting (South Africa)
- Mametja Moshe, CEO at Moshe Capital (South Africa)
- Olebogeng Sentsho, CEO at Simba Mgodi Mining Incubation Fund (South Africa)
