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SRK Celebrates International Women’s Day 2020

Championing women’s achievements is a core part of International Women’s Day and this year’s theme: “an equal world is an enabled world”.

To recognize diversity and honour successful women in the mining industry, read some stories and experiences from our team about their diverse career paths in the STEM and mining sectors.

SRK Europe Commemorates International Women's Day 2020

Oy Leuangthong

Principal Geostatistician 

 

Danielle Kyan

Senior Geoenvironmental Consultant

I was always interested in planetary sciences so geology as a first-year subject was a good fit. From there it sold itself as it was the 

most interesting of all the science subjects. I also found a close-knit camaraderie with the others in the geology faculty, many of whom remain close friends to this day. Jobs were hard to come by when I graduated, but I was lucky to get a start with SRK in Canberra and progress to working in geology, GIS and mine closure cost estimation over my 18 years here. One of my favourite aspects of my job has been working closely with clients that have been part of my career for over 14 years. I have also valued the flexibility of my role allowing me to work from home and balance my work and family life with young children.

A proud moment in my career so far was being asked to help coordinate a global workshop on Mine Closure. As a specialist in a niche field, I was able to share my experience as part of the global closure team and gain confidence in my expertise and place within SRK’s global consulting team.

Justine Paul

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

I didn’t know much about the mining industry when I first started my career, but I was offered an internship at SRK in Perth while I 

was studying my masters in Engineering in Paris and chose to move to Australia to take up the opportunity – I’m glad I did as 10 years have passed and I am now a senior geotechnical engineer, still at SRK. I enjoy being a consultant and being involved in a variety of different projects. Each project has its own background, geology and unique challenges, which forces me to think outside the box and keep learning new tools and software to get the best outcome.

The mining sector is versatile but highly dependent on the economic context, with its few highs and many lows, but it is worth joining the sector because of its unique challenges. The industry is changing with the development of new technologies and it will need fresh ideas from young people, particularly in terms of sustainability, to keep making it better.

Rebecca Getty

Senior Mine Closure Consultant

Working in the mining industry has given me many great opportunities to travel and explore the world as an investigative 

scientist, first as a geologist and now as an environmental consultant. I love the variety of my role and the feeling of accomplishment when I overcome unforeseen challenges – I learn something new every day! One of my proudest achievements was receiving a Master in Environmental Management and being able to present the results of my study at the international Mine Closure Conference.

Celebrating International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to provide support and guidance to other women and men to promote inclusion and help create a brighter, more confident future. You don’t have to follow conventions to achieve your goals.

Juanita Martin

Principal Surface Water Engineer

I first started my career in road engineering, which eventually brought me to water management. As a young woman just about 

to finish school I pictured myself with machete in hand helping opening roads to communicate people through the Peruvian jungle. This dream came true, as a young engineer I managed to go to the jungle with a total station and designed small roads for small communities. Working on roads, I realised that water was one of the main problems, which started my career in water management. I got into water management for mining because I believe that we can all contribute towards a better world and helping keep our water clean is part of that. I love that in my role, each project is like a new story – you don’t know what you are going to find and overcoming new challenges is exciting.

Sathisha Barath

Senior Scientist

Initially, I wanted to study medicine but realised I wanted a career where I could spend time both outdoors and in an office, so I 

registered for a geology degree. SRK has afforded me the opportunity to work on a variety of contaminated land projects where I have the best of both worlds. I currently manage a portfolio of projects including the Enhanced In situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents. This is the first large scale implementation of in situ bioremediation technologies in South Africa. I love working on the project as it is technically very demanding but also requires one to think out of the box and on one’s feet.

Another contributing factor to my almost 11 year employment at SRK, is the immense support that SRK management has afforded me. In a male-dominated industry, women often have to work hard to gain recognition but as industry leaders in the field of science and engineering, SRK has encouraged the technical growth and development of female employees and afforded them due recognition.

Jessica Edwards

Senior Social Scientist

As a social scientist I enjoy the ability to make people feel valued. We often work with the marginalised and vulnerable persons in a 

community and being able to make a small difference in their lives adds a tremendous amount of pride in what I do.

I am very proud that I can apply the core values of International Women's Day in my career in mining. It provides me with an opportunity to understand others and through this understanding, increase my appreciation of diversity and the ways it fosters acceptance and change. Mining and engineering can sometimes be a male-dominated industry, but the time has come where the voice of women will be more valuable than ever. Women's ability to see the bigger picture, to value dignity, collaboration, appreciation, and empathy will help to change the way the industry approaches sustainability and resilience.

Bronwen Forsyth

Senior Geochemist

The highlight of my job is being able to use science to solve problems. My career in mining started by completing my PhD in 

geochemistry. I had an interest in water chemistry and a background in mining environmental science, so working in the mining industry ticked those boxes. Throughout my career I have had great opportunities to work with knowledgeable and experienced geochemists in SRK’s global team.

If I could give any advice to those starting out in the industry, it would be that hard work and honesty will take you places. Always be open to new ideas and innovation to help continually improve your work and grow as a technical professional.

Anne-Marie Ebbels

Principal Mining Engineer

I was always drawn toward engineering – maths, physics and chemistry were always my favourite subjects at school. Mining 

engineering ultimately won because of the diverse nature of engineering work that can be done in this space. I enjoy working through problems, big or small, and coming up with solutions.

My advice for those starting out in their careers is that your definition of success is your own, and therefore your career path is your own. Take the steps along that path that get you to your goals but recognise that everyone’s path will be different even if the goals are similar.

Claire Linklater

Principal Geochemist

My interest in rocks was triggered as a young child, growing up in wild and rocky Shetland. I studied geology at university and I’ve 

never looked back! My favourite aspect of my role is undertaking geochemical modelling – I enjoy predicting how water will interact with mined rock and assessing whether or not contaminants will be mobilised. The advice I’d give to those starting out in this industry is to follow the areas of study that you find most interesting, and never be afraid to ask questions!

Joanna Poeck

Principal Mining Engineer

I started my career by briefly working in a mine before transferring to a mining software company and developing my skills as a 

power user. From there, I found an open door into the field of mining consulting, allowing me to work on a wide variety of projects with different unique challenges every day. If I could lend some advice to other women starting in the industry, it would be to lead with integrity and excellence in everything you do. Having the knowledge and confidence to understand your clients and explain mining concepts to both highly technical people and to c-suite executive level people will take you far in this industry. 

Heather Thomson

Senior Tailings Engineer

I grew up determined to study medicine and become a pediatric psychiatrist. However, just as I was hitting submit on my 

university preferences, I changed my whole career in the last minute and proclaimed, 'I'm going to be an Engineer'! Every day in my job is different and I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the role. My advice to those just starting out in their careers: always say ‘yes’ to opportunities!

Karen Lloyd

Principal Valuations Consultant

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and in nature, and that’s what first led me to get into the geoscience industry. I particularly enjoy 

linking the technical world with the commercial world, a key aspect of my role. My main piece of advice for anyone looking to join the industry is to see as many aspects of the industry as you can – don’t stay where you are if you’ve stopped learning.

Philippa Burmeister

Principal Climate Scientist

When Rhodes University first offered Environmental Science as a subject, I saw the opportunity to become part of a discipline that 

was in its infancy. Since then I have done my dues in impact assessment and have more recently specialised in Air Quality and Climate Change. Particularly Climate Change, for me at least, represents the next frontier in advancing our understanding of human impact and I find that very exciting.

Having recently done work with the Sustainable Development Goals I see International Women's Day as an extension of a rising awareness for equality generally. This and the opportunity for women to come together to achieve Goals 5 and 10 that focus on equality and are the foundation of achieving so many of the other goals.

Tinah Kelly

Senior Tailings Engineer

My career started with following my father into architecture before receiving a scholarship and moving from a rural village in 

Papua New Guinea to Australia to study engineering. What I love most about my job is the opportunity to meet people from different cultural backgrounds, and always having new and interesting projects to tackle. My advice to women starting their careers is to find a good mentor, someone that you are not afraid to make mistakes around.

International Women’s day is important to me because it celebrates the achievements of women around the world overcoming male-dominated cultures in societies and professions.

Adel Malebana

Senior Social Scientist

My favourite aspect of my role is the opportunities that I have to engage at different levels, from engaging with well-accomplished 

professionals in boardroom setups, to spending hours on end listening to an elderly woman or man in deep rural villages, to facilitating public meetings made up of hundreds of disgruntled community members due to legacy issues.

No two days are the same, so you have to take each day as it comes and do the best that you can. It gives me great pleasure to share my life with other people through projects, regardless of their social standing, to provide a listening ear, and most importantly to learn valuable life and professional lessons from unexpected sources.

Sheila Imrie

Principal Hydrogeologist

I started my career in applied mathematics and computer science. I then gained a love for geology which I studied (by 

correspondence) as a hobby, from where I continued into a full-time hydrogeology master’s degree. The combination set me up perfectly for the challenges and delights of numerical groundwater modelling. I enjoy finding new and innovative ways to solve challenging problems and displaying model results that produce 'light bulb moments' for clients and colleagues.

I’d encourage anyone early in their career to ask lots of questions and open yourself to life-long learning.

Sue Reuther

Principal Environmental Consultant

I enjoy working on mining-related environmental and social impact assessment projects because they can be highly complex 

and technical, triggering a whole range of potential impacts that require integrated and holistic management and analysis involving a wide range of specialist disciplines and stakeholders.  Mining projects are often contentious, especially in the context of globally increasing environmental and social awareness, yet remain critical to our lifestyles and economies. The process of identifying potentially sustainable mining solutions is an often challenging but ultimately rewarding process.

My advice to incoming professionals in this field is that it takes time to understand the bigger picture, why things are the way they are and how they can be changed, if needed. Don't be afraid of asking lots of questions, but also always come up with possible answers and solutions yourself.