National Women’s Month: Exploring the future of mining
- By http://www.miningne.ws/pg/mining/news/84688/national-womens-month-exploring-the-future-of-mining
There are few women who have more successfully entered and flourished in the traditionally male world of mining than Professor May Hermanus; even fewer who have played such a transformative role, which now involves directing the Centre for Sustainability in Mining and Industry (CSMI) based in the Wits University School of Mines.
Over the past two decades of her career, Hermanus has been instrumental in advancing the field of health and safety in mining, and integrating these concerns into the fields of environmental protection and broader sustainability.
But perhaps her more unique achievement has been to do this – seemingly effortlessly – across the boundaries of the various stakeholders in these endeavours. It is in this remarkable aspect of her journey to date that her stature as a leading role model – for women, for young South Africans, and for all those working for a just economic future – that she offers the most inspiration.
With a geology degree from the University of Cape Town and an MSc in physical metallurgy, she had been an NGO volunteer before becoming the co-ordinator of the health and safety unit in the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). This work also heralded the start of her involvement in various forums of the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation.
Respect across the board
She then spent time in the private sector, as Group Health and Safety Manager for Samancor, before moving into government, where she became the Chief Inspector of Mines in the Department of Minerals and Energy. Her industry knowledge and commitment to the health of all in the sector has earned her the respect of all stakeholders and led her to a broad range of engagements – from accounting officer, senior manager, regulator, and facilitator of stakeholder processes, to consultant and policy developer.
Taking on the post of director of the CSMI five years ago was yet another recognition of both the respect she commands from different quarters and her in-depth grasp of the diverse challenges facing the mining industry now and in the future.
“At the core of the CSMI is education and training that will help decision-makers to practically engage with the issue of sustainable development, especially those in leadership positions,” said Hermanus. The mandate of the Centre therefore covers occupational safety, health, environment, community development and engagement, and sustainable development broadly.
Courses at all levels
Taking forward the concerns of the landmark Global Mining Initiative, the Centre has addressed the need for specialise tertiary education. Starting out with mainly workshops and short courses, the CSMI soon saw that formal academic programmes were called for – and these began at post-graduate level.
“Clearly, though, we needed a depth of offerings that would include a broader group than just those qualifying to start a Masters degree,” said Hermanus. “A suite of ten courses at advanced diploma level, is now nearing completion, and these will be able to address undergraduate levels too.”
The work of the Centre is concerned as much with operational issues as it is with policy, and the thorny question of regulation. The raft of new policies, charters, laws and regulations introduced since 1994 have created a weight of responsibility on institutions to understand, interpret and implement them.
“We need to ask the question: if we are to govern or regulate the direction of any sector in line with sustainable development , how exactly is this to be done,” she said. “Then you need to have the resources, knowledge and perspectives to equip those involved with the task of governance. This is an important part of the CSMI’s training focus and our own self- development.”
Development continues apace at the Masters level too, with qualifications envisaged in Safety, Health, Environment and Community Development, Environment and Sustainable Development, and Occupational Health and Safety.
Beyond mining and SA
“Perhaps one of the most exciting – if slightly unexpected – aspects of the CSMI’s success to date, is the interest that we are attracting from other industries and other countries,” said Hermanus. “It is not surprising, of course, that sustainability and related issues are relevant to all economic sectors, and we endeavour to tackle these in a truly multi-disciplinary way.
“Just as our research feeds our own course content, we are starting to see opportunities to share our experience with, and integrate the experience of other countries who are also in the process of developing the regulatory and policy infrastructure to govern mining and other industries for the long-term good of their countries and citizens.”
She says the energy and innovative work coming from the CSMI is based on a dedicated core of remarkable people, supported by a skilled network of associates, facilitators and researchers.
“The Centre has really become a great space for ideas exchange among professionals well-rooted in their industries and specialisations,” she said. “We are now working towards capturing all that in a model that can take us forward as a sustainable entity with ever more momentum and insight. It’s a real privilege to be part of this team.”