BREAKING: Mine Managers appoint the 1st female Council member
The Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) has appointed Stella Tinotenda Chitakunye to the organisation’s Executive Council.
Engineer Chitakunye becomes the AMMZ’s first female Executive Council member since the organisation’s formation 51 years ago.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe Chitakunye said she is excited to take up the position and her appointment demonstrated that there is diversity in the mining industry.
“I am excited and grateful, and I am looking forward to working with fellow leaders in the council to advance the industry. This appointment demonstrates inclusion and diversity in action in the industry. There is space for us as women and we should fill it up,” Chitakunye said.
Commenting on the appointment AMMZ President Engineer Abel Makura said despite efforts to promote gender equality in the mining sector, the belief that mine leadership is masculine and unfavourable for women remains strong, but having the first woman in the Council is hoped to inspire and empower other women to pursue leadership roles and bring about greater representation and diversity in the industry.
“Mining has been a largely male-dominated profession over the past decades due to old stereotypes. Whilst significant strides have been made in the sector lately to have women occupying positions of authority, the uptake has been very low as the belief that mine leadership is masculine and viewed as unfavourable when exhibited by women still lingers in the minds of many.
“We hope that by having the first woman in Council, other women are going to feel inspired and empowered to pursue leadership roles themselves within the mining sector which will help breed a positive cycle of representation and diversity in the industry,” Engineer Makura said.
Stella is responsible for all mining operations in the South Section of the underground workings at Unki Mine. She work with a great team of capable shift supervisors and their teams who are chasing the Anglo-American goal of safe, stable and capable production.
About the AMMZ
Famed as the top knowledge hub for professional and responsible Mining in Zimbabwe, the Association Of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) was formed in 1972 to advance the science and practice of Mining and supporting disciplines such as Survey, Geology, and Metallurgy.
It is a platform for information exchange and dissemination on good practices and seeks to promote the study and growth of Mining and allied disciplines.
The organisation provides a platform for mining industry professionals to among other things discuss and share information, Mining and Mineral Policy, Technology, Innovation, Safety, Health and Environment, Sustainable Mining, ESG, and Mining Operations. It is the biggest consortium of large-scale Mine Managers in Zimbabwe.