On the back of this study, Deirdre was approached by the Department of Water Affairs and started her career as a catchment manager. She was responsible for an area which was characterised by mining and industrial activities. Her first day on the job entailed a regulatory inspection of a 100 tonne electric arc furnace owned by Scaw Metals. Deirdre says: “I remember thinking that I entered the pit of Hades, with the bright red gleaming molten metal and the intense vibration of the charging furnace filling the entire meltshop”.
Deirdre then left Water Affairs to start a career as a consultant, and again ended up working with gold, platinum and coal mining projects. “Mining and I became reacquainted”. Seven years passed since her visit to ‘Hades’, when she received a call from Scaw Metals asking if she would be interested in joining the team. “I enjoyed being a consultant, but missed being fully engaged in delivery as opposed to design - so I gladly accepted the offer” she says.
At that stage Anglo American owned Scaw. Deirdre was ready for a new challenge and ended up being transferred to the Anglo American Ferrous Division where she was exposed to iron ore mining in South Africa and Brazil. “Mining found me, yet again” she says. After the restructuring in 2009, she moved to Anglo American corporate head office where she led the safety and sustainable development integration team.
This gave her exposure to mining projects, business improvement, business strategy as well as mergers and acquisitions. The latter resulted in Deirdre being part of the De Beers integration team. Deirdre says: “I was intrigued by the De Beers culture, the history, the value chain, and of course the product”.
“I did not imagine that my very first day on the job would hold the key to the rest of my career in mining, and through this journey of serendipity mining has become part of my DNA”, she says.
When it comes to career barriers, Deirdre believes that there are barriers in any job, irrespective of gender. “I experienced the perceptions around gender and age and how it requires you to work that much harder in gaining and keeping the respect and support that might in other situations automatically be granted”.
Early on in her career, Deirdre was appointed chairperson of a stakeholder forum. She was the only woman, and by far the youngest person in the room. At the first meeting a number of the much older members in the room excused themselves because they felt she would not be able to manage the chairperson responsibilities. She says: “That was before I had been given the opportunity to illustrate my ‘worth’. That was a low point for me”. Deirdre then acknowledged she had a decision to make – does she pack it in, or will she focus on the people that remained in the room? She did the latter and over time won the respect and support of the doubting few.
For women wanting to pursue a career in mining, Deidre says, “accept that you are joining a male-dominated industry. It is a challenging environment, with lots of opportunities, but you will need to: manage ‘gut to gob’ reactions – think before you react - because sometimes no response is the best response; be willing to take on new challenges; don’t be afraid to have your voice heard; maintain a sense of humour; establish a network of support and finally work hard, have fun and never doubt your ability to add value.”
Deirdre holds a Masters Degree in Commerce (MCom) as well as in Science (MSc). She also holds a Degree and Honours Degree in Science (BSc, BSc Hons).
