Techenomics takes part in Australian Mining in Africa; participates in women in mining roundtable

Feb 12, 2023 | Australia, mining industry

Techenomics takes part in Australian Mining in Africa;
participates in women in mining roundtable

The industry must transform age-old practices to encompass women
Techenomics International took part in the Australian Mining in Africa program organised by Austrade and held in Cape Town, South Africa, last week with particularly interest shown by the global fluid management company in a session focused on the role of women in mining.

During a lunchtime gathering on February 6 a panel of prominent African women in mining experts discussed how mining companies can transform their leadership in order to create opportunities for women so that they can get a start in the industry at all levels and make successful careers in mining.

The company’s Botswana representative Wame Atlhopheng attended Australian Mining in Africa and had a seat at the roundtable during the women in mining session on the opening day.

Techenomics CEO Chris Adsett said the company already relied heavily on the input of committed and talented women at many levels, including in southern Africa, but was always looking at ways to enhance participation.

“Events such as this are important for the industry to broaden its previous male-dominated model to encompass the valuable contribution that women can make.”

The pre-eminent panel at the roundtable included Anglo American Platinum chief executive officer Natascha Viljoen, Chamber of Mines of Côte d’Ivoire executive director Christine Logbo-Kossi, International Finance Corp (IFC) global head of Mining Namrata Thapar and prominent lawyer Sharon Sakuwaha from Zambian practice Moira Mukuka.

The roundtable discussed progress being made in achieving gender equality and various ways that this process can gather momentum. An important first step is addressing gender-based discrimination prior to entry into the labour market.

Participants heard that distinctions based on civil or marital status and family situation are contrary to the global convention as they affected women’s ability to seek paid work outside the home; to access, own and control property, resources and assets; or to enter into agreements.

Breaking down these and other societal barriers is a necessary precondition to providing equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market in general, and in mining.

Techenomics adheres to the principles espoused at the roundtable – that women have the right to equal pay for work of equal value without distinction, and the guarantee that conditions of work for must not be inferior to those enjoyed by men.

This includes not just the right to safe and healthy working conditions but also equal opportunity and treatment, to be promoted based on competence and seniority, and to obtain the education, training and mentoring necessary to achieve employment and promotion.

The roundtable was an important component of the Australian Mining in Africa program, which ran from February 6 to February 9 at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and Techenomics was delighted that Wame was able to represent the company.

Like the roundtable, the entire Austrade organised event connected mining and METS stakeholders and decision-makers across Africa seeking the latest products and solutions to match their business needs.

Techenomics has operations in southern Africa and West Africa where it offers total fluid management services, incorporating oil analysis along with Liquid Tungsten additives, to benefit mining and industry in the continent.

Adsett said that attending events like the roundtable and the week’s overall program helped the company stay abreast of current developments and ensure that its practices, products and services continued to meet the needs of all customers.