Hands-on Nthabiseng means business
Getting stuck in the mud one evening while driving back from a site visit did not deter 27-year-old Nthabiseng Ocia Mueti, who has a hands-on approach to problem-solving
“It was getting late and there I was, in the middle of nowhere,” she recalls. “I didn’t have a shovel to dig the company car out of about half a metre of mud – so I just started digging with my hands. Engineers must solve problems, you know?”
This never-say-die attitude is what brought Nthabiseng to Canyon Coal in the first place. The eldest child in a large family that hails from Limpopo, Nthabiseng studied for a BSc in biochemistry and psychology at the University of Johannesburg, but when her parents struggled to find work the family moved to Delmas. “Although I studied biochemistry, I had always been passionate about mining,” she recalls. “I approached the mine manager at Phalanndwa Colliery, saying I really wanted to study mining engineering. I said I was hard working, dedicated, tenacious… Eventually, I got a call from the HR department and went for an interview. Then I was awarded a bursary!”
Nthabiseng says that the bursary was “a blessing and a life saver” and opened many doors. “I quite literally wouldn’t be where I am today if I had not received that bursary,” she says. “It paved the way to my internship at Canyon Coal and I have met so many incredible people who want me to grow.” Although Nthabiseng was in the process of completing her studies, she was adamant that she did not want to sit at home when her internship came to an end in 2017. “I told the company I had something to offer; I am a gogetter,” she laughs. Her determination paid off – she was offered an appointment as an Environmental and Social Labour Plan (SLP) officer in February this year.
The company has been so supportive,” she says. “Project geologist Revash Singh is one of my mentors – when I met him, I asked him to help me to grow, and he is always willing to answer my many questions. Another is environmentalist Melissa Pillay, who took me under her wing from the moment I started and has introduced me to a world of experience in the Projects and Environment department.”
Nthabiseng believes that women can go far in mining. “I was the only lady on site when I worked on the blasting team, having got my certificate for blasting assistance,” she recalls. “It was such fun! I was complimented for my hard work. If you want to be a leader, you have to show that you know how things are done. I’ve worked night shifts, when it’s freezing cold…I like hands-on, manual work because I feel like I’m part of something.”
Nthabiseng has worked across four sites in her current capacity (Singani, Khanye, Ukufisa and Phalanndwa) and is still undergoing further training. “I have learnt that one should not only be proactive but also efficient, especially as a woman, because we’re scrutinised even more than men – so one must do everything correctly!”
There is little doubt that this dynamic young woman is set to make her mark in the mining industry. “I didn’t even know what a mine looked like when I decided to show guys I could be a better miner than they can,” she says with a laugh. “But now I am learning – and I will definitely advocate for women empowerment in the industry. We must show people we mean business!”
