Dicle Güney

My journey into mining engineering began with the encouragement of my family. Although none of them had any background in the industry, they strongly believed that I could build a successful career in this field, and they always shared this belief with me. Before enrolling at university, I had the opportunity to speak with the head of the department and a few professors, who gave me an in-depth introduction to mining. 

At first, I had many fears. Unlike my family, society at large often sees mining as unsuitable for women. But once I entered the sector, I quickly realized that this perception didn’t reflect reality. 

I consider myself lucky to have entered the sector through gold mining. Gold — and more broadly, metal mining — is generally more structured, multi-disciplinary, safety-oriented, and offers a collaborative environment compared to other mining fields. In these settings, women’s presence and insights are more widely recognized and valued. 

Still, despite this progress, the decision-makers are largely men. Many women working on-site have likely heard things like: “You can’t bring feminine energy into the field,” “You should act more like a man so the people that works with you will respect you,” or “You’re doing well, but if you approach things more like a man, you could be better than most of them.” 

It’s often not enough to be a good engineer, supervisor, or operator — you’re expected to be better than your male counterparts. Yes, there’s support, and yes, your presence is valued, but at some point, you’re still measured against male standards. To succeed, consistency is key: never allow your self-defined career path to be derailed. 

Personally, I’m driven by a strong desire for continuous learning and growth. In today’s world, access to knowledge is easier than ever — the real value lies in researching thoroughly, questioning what we find, and blending it with engineering logic to build real experience. I’m detail-oriented and won’t present anything I haven’t already convinced myself of. I take responsibility for my work and stay persistent when challenges arise — always focusing on practical solutions rather than setbacks. 

Professionally, the technical expertise I’ve gained in the process plant, my ability to communicate in English, and my experience in delivering technical training to employees at different levels have all contributed to my effectiveness in this role. My ability to communicate strongly, treat everyone with technical respect regardless of their position, and instill confidence in others have played a major role in my relationship with the field teams. My understanding of both process operations and human dynamics has been a key differentiator in this position. On the other hand, a company’s vision and the level of support you receive are among the most important parameters in demonstrating your work. Thanks to the supportive culture of Adriatic and the encouragement I receive from my team, I am able to present my work with greater confidence and a broader perspective.  

While I haven’t had the chance to work directly with a female mentor in my career, the presence of strong women in the industry has always inspired me. When I first entered the industry, there were two remarkable women whose careers made a lasting impression on me: Nursun Şirvancı and Tuğba Özgen. Despite the challenges, they stayed firm in their professions and built their careers on knowledge and hard work, their stories always guided me. In moments when I struggled or needed encouragement, their examples gave me strength. 

Now, I would love to support young professionals, especially women who are just starting out, seeking new directions, or hoping to build a career abroad. In a male-dominated sector like mining, every act of support between women carries immense value. Sharing my experience to help others move forward would be incredibly fulfilling for me. 

When you first graduate, you often think a world of opportunities is waiting for you, but over time, reality proves otherwise. At that point, regardless of gender, the most important thing is not to lose your consistency. If you stay on course, you can eventually turn even the negatives to your advantage. Never lose your light, and don’t let anyone dim it. 

What I wish I had known early on is that the professional world expects clarity and presence. While we work on our weaknesses behind the scenes and try to grow, we also need to reflect confidence and be aware of our strengths in order to define clear boundaries in the workplace. 

Most of the rules and approaches in this sector are shaped around a male mindset simply because of the dominant presence of men. In my experience, men are often very good at concealing their weaknesses and prefer to move forward without asking for help. Women, on the other hand, are often more open about weaknesses, seeing them as opportunities for growth and a sign of self-awareness. But in the end, those who appear to have no weaknesses are often one step ahead. This is because the invisible rules that have taken root in the sector work that way. This, in my view, is one of the most important lessons to take from working in mining sector. 

While working actively on-site in Turkey, I was always supported in the metallurgical work I did, it felt like a school to me. Later, when I began my journey with Adriatic, I again found a team that supported me in sharing technical knowledge. Unlike many companies, Adriatic has a structure where women work confidently as operators, engineers, trainers, senior leaders, and even CEO. This environment has allowed me to work more comfortably and has greatly boosted my self-confidence, which in turn has elevated my career goals. 

My first superintendent once told me something I’ll never forget: “The day you stop being curious is the day you stop being successful in this job.” With that same curiosity still alive in me, I aspire to keep enriching my experience by working in different plants, growing both technically and personally along the way. My goal is to become a consultant whose knowledge is deeply respected, whose insight is trusted, and whose contribution is believed to elevate both the project and the company’s vision. I want to add value not only to operations, but to the bigger picture. One day, when I look back, I want to proudly see an engineer who brought together all her efforts and experiences to build something truly meaningful. 

Absolutely. I strongly believe that women taking active roles in operational and technical areas has a direct impact on the success of a project. Women are typically able to approach situations from multiple angles, pay attention to detail, think creatively in times of crisis, and act with a strong sense of responsibility. 

I also believe that a more diverse team not only leads to better decisions, but to more balanced and long-term effective ones. Different perspectives lead to different solutions, which improves not only problem-solving but also helps create a more inclusive and sustainable workplace culture. And in an environment where balance exists, a more defined sense of professionalism naturally follows. 

I love being in nature, by the sea, near a lake, or surrounded by beautiful landscapes. These places give me peace. I’ve been lucky enough to work in locations where I could experience these natural beauties. And during this time, I never hesitate to try new things, whether it’s skiing, tasting foods I’ve never had before, or attending cultural events that help me understand different perspectives. Exploring the unknown and embracing new experiences brings me a lot of joy. I want to collect meaningful memories and look back at this life with happiness. That’s why, outside of work, I try to enrich my life through concerts, theatre, or travel experiences that bring inspiration and color.