“Two words; BIG MACHINES. This is what inspired me to get into mining, as I have always been fascinated by mega machines, from the array of pumps, to crushers, to mills to the colossal haul trucks that the mine has no shortage of.”

These were the words of 30-year-old Othilie Hoveka, a qualified Mechanical Engineer currently acting as a Maintenance Superintendent in Processing Department at the Swakop Uranium Mine in the Erongo Region.

Hoveka’s engineering journey began in October 2018, when she started a six-month intern at Swakop Uranium.

After that, she applied for a two-year Graduate Engineer position and was selected for the program, which she completed in 2020.

Hoveka was then appointed as a Project Engineer in the Processing Department, a position she currently holds and is currently one of the company’s youngest in her trade.

“My love for engineering stems from my love for problem-solving. I believe there is always a better, more efficient way to do things. I knew the mine would be the perfect place for me,” Hoveka narrated.

She explained that although being in the mining environment is tough, it is also highly rewarding and establishing a good work-life balance is imperative, as the hours on the mine can sometimes be draining.

“I believe that the experience that I am gaining in the mining industry will prepare me for any challenge. The mine is a dynamic environment with so many moving parts- and this makes it an exciting place to be, as there is never a dull moment.

My career in mining has given me a wealth of engineering knowledge and also helped me to develop a thick skin when it comes to facing challenges.”

Hoveka’s future plans are to attain a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Corrosion Engineering, where she will expand into the field of engineering reliability and improve equipment lifecycles by developing and implementing solutions to combat the effects of fatigue and corrosion.

Meanwhile, Germima Haipa-Josef joined the mining industry to inspire and motivate the Namibian girl child, and show her that she fits into all career shoes she desires to walk in, as long as she sets her mind to it.

The 31-year-old mining engineer, who is also a Superintendent in the Planning, Drill and Blast at Rössing Uranium Mine in Arandis, noted that she had always wanted to join an industry through which Namibia benefits greatly.

“The mining industry is not just one of the largest employment sectors, but it is also a great contributor to Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product, local economic benefits, social responsibility and other tax forms,” she said.

The young engineer jokingly added that she also wanted to balance out a once male-dominated industry with her skills, as well as benefit from all that the industry has to offer at a personal level, such as the-state-of-the art technologies and innovations.

Born and raised in the Okalongo village of the Omusati Region in Namibia’s northern parts, Haipa Josef completed her secondary schooling at Mweshipandeka High School in Ongwediva, before proceeding to the then Polytechnic of Namibia, where she enrolled for a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining.

In 2012, while at the Polytechnic of Namibia, the then AngloGold Ashanti Mine (today known as Navachab Gold Mine) funded her studies, enabling her to go on a three-month student exchange program to the Technical University of Clausthal in Germany, where she completed six modules.

“From 2014 to March 2017, I was offered employment as a Management Trainee in Mining Engineering, where I did Short Term Planning, Drilling and Blasting Engineer duties and attained my Open Cast Blasting Ticket at AngloGold Ashanti,” she explained.

The young engineer then joined Rössing Uranium Mine as a mining engineer responsible for shift controlling in 2017 before she was appointed as Superintendent: Planning, Drill and Blast in January 2019, a position she currently holds, which sees her managing a crew of 40 employees.

“I am accountable for the implementation of the long-term planning of drilling, blasting, loading and ore supply, contractor management, generation and implementation of cost generation, among others.

I also ensure adherence to health, safety and environmental regulations, translating strategic objectives into daily actions, monitoring/ comparing performance to set objectives for interventions where necessary and developing my team’s skills and competencies.”

The mother of three emphasised that the mining industry is dependent on external factors that mines do not have much control over such as the market, inflation, exchange rate, geology, climate, weather conditions and the life-span of a mine, which has an end and this makes the environment challenging.

“However, these do not overpower the main advantages of mining, which include exposure to a diverse culture, challenging and complex problems that stimulate innovative thinking and making a difference in the surrounding communities,” Haipa-Josef narrated.

The two women urged young women with a passion for mining to always put the effort into whatever they do and continuously find ways to put their talent to work.

“Also, never cease to develop your skills, such as working on your financial literacy or doing something you enjoy. Find a niche within the market of your choice and create employment to fight poverty, reduce unemployment and end the current high dependency on the government and private sector to create jobs,” Haipa-Josef advised.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency