Page 44 - 100 years of Anglo American

NO BARRIER

SHE CAN’T
BREAK

When Nkhensani Malongete saw an
advert for a plant monitor at Venetia
Diamond Mine in Limpopo, she
thought they were looking for
someone to tend to trees.
Back in 2006, she was pursuing her
dream of becoming a fashion Venetia diamond mine, which yields about 3 million carats a year
designer.
A friend who already worked at
Venetia encouraged her to apply for More sparkle as mine
the job, so she did some research and
was shocked to learn that being a
plant monitor had nothing to do
with botany. EXPANDS
Now, Malongete is the first female
senior metallurgical foreman within
Venetia’s ore processing department.
Metallurgy is defined as the art of
extracting minerals from ore, and it Venetia set to begin underground diamond excavations,
is essential to extending its lifespan to 2046, writes Lucas Ledwaba
the mining
process.
Born and hen engineers developed census, has an unemployment rate of 18.7% and
raised in plans for the Venetia a youth unemployment rate of 22.5%.
Valdezia, a Diamond Mine in The mine is located in an environmentally
rural Limpopo more than two sensitive area near the Mapungubwe National
village in decades ago, they may Park, which was granted World Heritage Site
Limpopo’s Wnot have anticipated it status by the UN Educational, Scientific and
Vhembe would one day require a further $2 billion Cultural Organisation in 2003. It is also
district, Nkhensani Malongete (R26 billion) investment to extend its lifespan. surrounded by the 36 000-hectare Venetia
she joined The open-pit mine, situated about 80km west Limpopo Nature Reserve.
Venetia in 2007 as a plant monitor. of Musina, is now being extended into But, says Barton, Venetia “has always
“Mining has a reputation for being an underground mine where strived for a balance between
rough, remote and one of the most operations are set to begin in 2021. diamond mining and limiting its
male-dominated industries in the Phillip Barton, CEO of De Beers environmental impact”.
world,” says Malongete. Consolidated Mines, says they are “Since inception, the mine has
“For me, the biggest challenge is on track to meet the deadline. always ensured that
physical strength as I weigh 49kg. Venetia, which began operations environmental legal and
Carrying heavy tools at the plant is a in 1992, is the largest diamond reputational requirements receive
challenge, but, through proper mine in South Africa. the highest level of attention. Some
planning and putting my mind to it, De Beers Group made a practices are truly unique to the
this is easily solved.” R1.1 billion investment when it Phillip Barton mine’s location, such as the
Many women such as Malongete commenced operations 25 years management of game within the
now work in the mining sector, and ago. Now it has set aside more than R20 billion mine’s boundary and the relocation of more
De Beers prides itself on its diverse for the development of the underground mine than 50 full-grown baobab trees.”
workforce. which will extend its lifespan to 2046, with the The mine is part of the Greater Mapungubwe
“I’m very humbled by the support potential to produce 94 million carats of Network, “a vehicle for proactive engagement
that my male colleagues give me,” diamonds. and knowledge-sharing” among stakeholders.
says Malongete, who leads a team “It is our belief that mining has a crucial role Barton says that, prior to the commencement
of men. to play in laying the foundations for of the underground project, numerous specialist
“It’s not every day that you find communities to develop and prosper, especially studies were undertaken as part of an
men being supportive while led by a in rural and remote areas where they would environmental impact assessment process, and
woman. My mentors also make it otherwise have few opportunities.” there are continuing studies to assess future
easy for me to cope.” Barton says the underground project will environmental risks and opportunities.
Her advice to prospective female sustain jobs through mining activities and “Examples of this include Venetia mine’s climate
mine workers is this: “Don’t be afraid supply chain opportunities. change adaptation study, as well as Project
to get your hands dirty. Think like a “More importantly, this investment will have Minera, which looks at reducing the mine’s
woman, act like a woman and benefits across society through enterprise carbon footprint through carbon sequestration...
execute your job... There is absolutely development, training and upskilling.” The enhancement of environmental
nothing we cannot do.” Venetia is situated in the Musina Local performance remains a non-negotiable standard
Municipality, which, according to Stats SA’s 2011 for Venetia.”
44 ANGLO AMERICAN 100 YEARS