Sandra Seabela

A family friend visited my family when I was in Grade 10, with a brochure from Mintek [the South African government-owned minerals research institute] and there was an article on career opportunities: I liked the sound of a mining engineer. I liked the fact that it was not every girl/woman’s first career choice. The opportunities that were available then for women who were “brave” enough to take up those careers inspired me to take this path.

I am a Section Manager in a large iron-ore open-pit mine in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. I am responsible for drilling and blasting operations. The biggest chunk of my role is to ensure the health and safety of teams working in the section, ensure compliance to legislature, ensure quality blasts for efficient downstream processes, and deliver all of this at the most cost-efficient and profitable manner.

My experience has been a beautiful adventure, full of lot of lessons that go beyond the business of mining. I have learned a lot from people of different cultural, educational and social backgrounds.

Sharing my experiences from the mines I have worked in and the learning from the diverse team of people I work with. My biggest passion is in coaching and sharing best practices with my teams to drive excellence in our work.

I have a number of mentors who were very instrumental and helpful in different stages/phases of my career to date. In return, I have a number of protégés in mining with whom I gladly share my experiences with the hope of helping them in their careers.

The biggest challenge was when I started off as a graduate and had to go underground with a team of men as old as my father, and had to lead them with very limited experience. It took confidence and fast-paced learning to get comfortable with doing it, and also the comfort of knowing that each experience is a lesson and I will get better at it.

These were very empowering experiences where I got to network with people from all over the world. It was also my first time visiting a country outside of Africa.

My presentation at the Mining Show held in Dubai focused on achieving new lows and reducing production costs with technology in the South African mining industry. The presentation sparked an interesting discussion on how technology advancements have enabled the industry to improve its safety performance and the opportunity it further creates in the journey to Zero Harm milestones.

I also presented on the role played by women in mining in the South African industry at the 14th Session UNECE Group of Experts on Coal Mining Methane, held at the United Nations in Geneva. The presentation opened the audience to the challenges and opportunities of women in mining and there was commitment from the audience to ensure that gender transformation forms part of the agenda of their annual conference.

More women should be encouraged to do public speaking as it is a platform for us to speak up on issues that we want addressed as women in mining. I would be more than happy to speak more in the future.

I would love to gain experience on the corporate side of the mining business to match it up with my operational experience.

That it is a going to be a journey full of interesting experiences, some pleasant and some not, but they will all help me grow into the person I am today and want to become.

The “mistake” of taking an opportunity that looked like a demotion, but has set me up for better career opportunities. The magic of starting over. 🙂

No. Yes, I would like to.

I am all for representation of women in all spheres of the mining business and I am happy that there are targets set to assist companies to create opportunities for women to participate. I know that women bring a significant amount of value to teams they are part of and, when they are given an opportunity, they excel.

Yes, I know they make mining look and feel more accommodating and they provide networking platforms with like-minded people.

My advice is to first love what you do and work hard to achieve excellence in your work. I wish I knew that passion will take you to places where talent/skill may not reach.

To plan and focus on each aspect of your life as if it’s the only one you have.

These books have helped me in my professional development:
1. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
2. How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie
3. Lift as you rise by Bonang Mohale and
4. Boardroom dancing by Nolitha Fakude
5. Smart Woman by Sylvia Walker

Mainly biographies and self-help books.

I love travelling – mostly the outdoor and adventurous and extreme activities. I also love baking and making things: I can make beads to wear and simple clothing items.