The incredible story of Tanzania’s first woman miner, Pili Hussein, teaches us a lot about discriminatory systems that need to be buried deep in the past and should never be allowed to have a place in society. At age 31, Pili fled domestic abuse and sought refuge in a mining area along the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Her mission was to join the hundreds of men making a lucrative living by mining and selling Tanzanite, a precious gemstone. Denied entry because of her gender, Pili decided to masquerade as a man, dressing like them, hiding her hair with a ski cap and assuming a new name. “I worked alongside men for 10 -12 hours every day; they never suspected that I was a woman,” she says in an article by UN Women.

While we can draw inspiration from the bravery of women like Pili, we must also use their stories to fuel our determination to make the mining industry open to all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, culture, or creed. Women should never have to disguise their true selves to enter the mining profession. It is reassuring that the tides have turned, with international and domestic laws that uphold the rights of women. As a company, we are proud to have opened our doors to talented women who make invaluable contributions to the industry. We are wholly committed to advocating for transformation.

In this edition, we share inspirational stories of women working at our operations as engineers, environmentalists, procurement officers, and more. We celebrate WoMandla—a concept that combines the words Woman and Amandla, embracing the power of women. In these pages you will meet women like Gugulethu’s plant manager Penelope Mdluli, environmental officer Ayanda Khumalo, 19-year-old Minenhle Mahlangu, a budding auto electrician and Julia Mahlangu, who is one of our local suppliers.

We also share essential developments across our operations and our vision for the future. Canyon Coal has made significant strides. We have sustained our operations, established a new mine, and laid the groundwork for future projects, all thanks to our staff’s unwavering support. This year, we started on a high note, with Gugulethu producing its first load of processed coal and dispatching the first shipment of 4,500 tons. The consignment was successfully transported by 12 trucks owned by our local contractors, reflecting our commitment to sharing opportunities with businesses from the mine’s host communities.

Our commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, and efficiency in our operations remains. The rehabilitation project at Phalanndwa Extension in Delmas has commenced as we wind down the mining operations. We are working closely with specialists who drafted the rehabilitation plan, ensuring we adhere to the best environmental practices and abide by the law.

Phalanndwa Colliery achieved 3984 days without fatalities while Khanye Colliery achieved 2376 fatality free days. By the end of June 2024 Gugulethu had 488 days without fatalities, a noteworthy milestone highlighting our efforts to uphold health and safety. Through the ongoing implementation of strict safety protocols and providing training programmes, we stand to maintain a good safety record while supporting Zero Harm at all Canyon operations. I am filled with anticipation for the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to working together with shared determination to achieve the goals we have set for our company.