The Pyrometallurgy Division (PMD) of Mintek holds a priority mandate to advance and promote its diversity, equity and inclusion goals. And for the first time in 2025, PMD has brought on board two female principal operators who do not hold back from being at the front line of operations, from furnace relining and charge feeding, all the way to literally “standing in the line of fire” while tapping the furnace. This insert documents and spotlights the present day frontline women operators at PMD, who debuted their journeys with Mintek during the HAlMan campaign. Let us get a bit more up close and personal with them in order to get to know them better.
Lindelani Ethel Muvhali – Principal Operator
How was your experience of working at Mintek on the HAlMan project?
I have been at Mintek for almost nine months now. It has been a great learning experience working here and the people are very kind and willing to help with adaptation in the workplace. I am proud to have contributed to the HAlMan project from the operations side. It was an exciting and new experience for me.
What does being a woman operator in pyrometallurgical operations mean to you?
It means being one of the chosen few in this rare and exciting work wherein we learn new things every day.
What do you consider to be the greatest impact of women within pyrometallurgy?
It shows that we can achieve whatever we put our mind to.
What are your hopes for the future for women in pyrometallurgy, and what will your role be towards realising those hopes?
In future I foresee more women inspiring each other to join this field, while availing information on how to become pyrometallurgists. I also foresee more women taking up leadership roles.
What will you say to a young girl who aspires to join this profession?
That everything is possible with hard work and dedication.
Pabalelo Tshabang - Principal Operator
How was your experience of working at Mintek on the HAlMan project?
It was a good experience. I was comfortable and enjoyed working on the project. It was also very remarkable how the male operators of PMD had a great attitude towards us while working directly with women for the first time. They gave advice and answered all questions we asked.
What does being a woman operator in pyrometallurgical operations mean to you?
Working on campaigns is such an adrenaline rush. Everything moves very fast, and you need to be alert and energetic in order to keep up. It is all very exciting.
What do you consider to be the greatest impact of women within pyrometallurgy?
It is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zones and participate in areas that were previously and traditionally meant for male operators only.
What are your hopes for the future for women in pyrometallurgy, and what will your role be towards realising those hopes?
I hope more women get the opportunity to contribute to the work force by being involved and engaged in pyrometallurgical operations at all levels. We will achieve this by being embraced and trained by our male colleagues until we can perform our duties as well as them. We must also create more awareness and exposure to women to show them that we are all capable of working on plant operations.
What will you say to a young girl who aspires to join this profession?
Career options are not limited. Do not undermine your abilities to fit perfectly in any profession, even if it is traditionally male-dominated.