LIEZL DAVIES , GENERAL MANAGER , OPERATIONS , RÖSSING URANIUM
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A WOMAN IN THE MINING INDUSTRY ?
SPECIAL FEATURE
Mining Global speaks with a quartet of leading women from across the mining industry to discuss challenges and future opportunities for women
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LIEZL DAVIES , GENERAL MANAGER , OPERATIONS , RÖSSING URANIUM
Liezl credits her background in industrial psychology , and time working in HR for De Beers , as vital to her role dealing with change management during a decade working at Rössing in Namibia , first for Rio Tinto and now for new majority shareholder CNUC ( China National Uranium Corporation ) a part of CNNC ( China National Nuclear Corporation ).
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A WOMAN IN THE MINING INDUSTRY ?
Liezl Davies : “ The typical ones of not being the technical expert , so not necessarily having the experience or expertise in a technical area , so why would any team be led by you if they know things better ? That ’ s the challenge I faced . The way I approached it was to say , ‘ well , yes , you may know better than me in one area , but I have experience in a different area that can compliment what you do and help us bring Rössing to success ’.
“ I think it is being open and honest , and straightforward , and not trying to pretend that I know something I don ’ t , being authentic about it .
SUMMER / AUTUMN 2020