Limpopo Business 2019-20 edition

OVERVIEW
NEW WIMSA CHAIRPERSON RAISES THE BAR
Selected as one of the “Top 100 Global Inspirational Women
in Mining” by Women in Mining UK in 2018, Thabile Makgala
was recently appointed to the position of Chairperson of
Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA).
Thabile holds the position of Executive: Mining at Impala
Platinum but getting to the top was no easy journey.
Thabile recalls “numerous obstacles while navigating my
mining career path”. Her qualifications include a master’s
degree in business administration from the University of
Stellenbosch Business School and a Bachelor of Science
degree in Mining Engineering (Cum laude), from the
University of the Witwatersrand. But as the first female
mining engineer graduate at Goldfields Kloof and Driefontein
division (now Sibanye Gold), it soon became clear that, as she
recalls, “the industry had not adequately prepared itself to
accept women in mining”.
“The response to women’s needs (infrastructure, personal
protective clothing, and policies) was slow and very little was
in place to address women’s issues.”
Her extensive experience has given Thabile insight into what
is needed. “Women and men should hold equal representation
in the workplace,” she says, “and mining companies should
prioritise and advocate for diversity, inclusion, parity and
for greater recognition of female leadership within their
organisations.”
Thabile is encouraged by progress made by women in mining
but wants to see “more deliberate and proactive action”.
Her hope is that in 10 years, “the fundamental elements
such as empowering, caring, showing respect, connecting
and growing our female talent, would have been achieved”.
mine from an open-pit mine to a verticalshaft
mine, and a multi-billion new
platinum mine project led by a Canadian
firm. Venetia mine is by far the most
important part of De Beers’ South African
operation, accounting for 3.1-million of
the 5.4-million carats recovered by the
company from its six operations.
Ivanplats, the subsidiary of the
Canadian company, has started sinking
shafts at its new mine near Mokopane
south-west of Polokwane. Ivanhoe has a
64% stake in Ivanplats with 10% owned
by a group of Japanese companies
including ITOCHU Corporation and Japan
Gas Corporation.
Mineral beneficiation is a key
component of the newly accredited
Musina-Makhado Special Economic
Zone (SEZ) in the far north of Limpopo.
The De Beers Group’s Venetia
mine in northern Limpopo is a giant
project in every sense.
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