2 minute read

Getting to know a mineworker

from Mineworker Magazine March 2023

by Mineworker Magazine

from Mineworker Magazine March 2023, page 29

Article from: Mineworker Magazine March 2023

Habits Maketh a Successful Mine

I have a National Diploma and an Advanced Diploma in Mining Engineering from UNISA.

What work do you do?

What did your training entail?

Name: Unity Shiburi

Tell us who you are?

My name is Unity Shiburi, I am 32 years old. I am originally from Mahlathi village in Giyani, Limpopo but currently residing in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga. I was raised by a single mother.

Tell us about your family?

I am married to Given Shiburi and we are blessed with two daughters (Nkateko (7) and Malwandla (2).

What did you study at school?

I am an Underground Production Shift Boss at Two Rivers mine with 11 years of trackless mining experience. I started my mining career as a learner miner after completing my National Diploma in Mining Engineering.

Why did you choose mining as a career?

I chose to study mining engineering because I was a science student and wanted to study a different ﬁeld of engineering and not a popular course amongst my peers. When I started, I had no idea what a mine looks like and did not know anyone working at a mine, so it was a new world to look forward to.

As a learner I had to undergo an 18 months underground training in order to obtain my blasting ticket. It was a tough training. I was working long hours, doing hard labour underground that was working, and I have a tiny body in all of this. During my training, there was one female supervisor in our operation who inspired me and gave me hope to never quit. After obtaining my blasting ticket I moved from different operations as a miner and now a shift boss. Having worked for ﬁve different operations has taught me a lot about the culture of the mining industry.

As a woman mineworker, what challenges have you encountered or have you come across?

Mining production is challenging for women, one of the challenges is falling pregnant, you pause your career for a year if you are pregnant, you miss on any opportunity that requires you to go underground.

The other challenge is raising kids, in most operations we work shifts which also includes weekends. The hours are long, I hardly spend time with my family and kids and the job is physically demanding aswell so one is always tired.

Is the mining industry making any progress regarding women in mining?

As much as there is improvement in putting women in supervisory positions, progress is slow on production side, women are hardly promoted to M/O and Managers positions. The majority of women still undermine the leadership of women and there’s not much support, women are working very hard as we are often required to prove ourselves.

The culture has not changed much in the mining industry. I have seen women like Takalani Randima from UMS and their journey within mining and that has encouraged me.

Your message to those who want to enter the industry?

Everyday has its own challenge, but as a woman minee I have lots of girls looking up to me and hopefully it will be because I am not giving up, I stay in production because it’s no longer about me, it’s also about every girl child with a dream to become a mine manager.

What’s next for you?

I would love to be a General Manager and grow further from there.