Dayanna Jaime: Paving the Way in Mining

Dayanna Jaime, supervisor at Novamine, was a pioneer in the company as its first woman employee. Her arrival required adaptation by the company to fully include women in operations. From her perspective, one of the fundamental aspects for guaranteeing equal opportunities has been the formation of mixed teams in the field, allowing both men and women to participate in maintenance and operational tasks.

According to her, the perception of women in mining has changed drastically and rapidly in recent years thanks to those who dared to enter the sector and continuously improve themselves. This change has made gender equity in mining a tangible reality today, although “there is still a way to go to consolidate equitable representation in all areas of the industry,” Dayanna clarifies.

Ximena Vergara: Advancing Female Development in the Mining Industry

From an institutional perspective, Ximena Vergara, the company’s safety officer, highlights initiatives that the company has implemented to promote gender equity in mining. According to Ximena, the General Manager, Alejandra Giménez, has led various efforts such as talks and meetings with educational institutions and associations to encourage the insertion of women in the sector. Through internship programs, young women have the opportunity for professional development. A clear example is Dayanna, who began as a technician and, thanks to her effort, is now a supervisor—demonstrating that the company encourages professional growth based on merit and performance, regardless of gender.

Ximena recognizes that one of the biggest challenges for women in mining is the persistent belief that they are not capable of physically demanding jobs. Moreover, long shifts and travel distances hinder their hiring. There are also biases related to childbearing age and pregnancy leave, which generate reluctance in some companies. However, Novamine works hard to dismantle these myths, proving that women can perform the same tasks as men in the field.

As a woman in mining, Ximena emphasizes the importance of earning respect in a predominantly male sector. She advises other women to empower themselves and earn respect from the outset, demonstrating confidence and professionalism. She also believes that it would be ideal for the mining industry to adopt more flexible policies regarding shifts and work‑life balance, which would allow better performance and well‑being for workers.

Alejandra Giménez: A Commitment to Gender Equality

Alejandra Giménez, General Manager of Novamine, details the strategies the company has implemented to foster inclusion and gender equity in mining. The company has established agreements with technical high schools and higher‑education institutions, such as CEDUC, IP Santo Tomás and the University of Antofagasta, in order to facilitate the inclusion of young women in the industry. Furthermore, Novamine has actively participated in programs such as “Mi Vida, Mi Tesoro” by Minera Escondida to promote female talent in various company roles, as illustrated by Dayanna, the first supervisor.

Alejandra states that at Novamine, gender equity is reflected in concrete actions such as standardizing processes that guarantee transparency and equal pay. There are no salary differences between men and women in similar positions, and the company implements selection and promotion processes based exclusively on merit and competencies, eliminating any bias.

Regarding challenges, Alejandra explains that one of the main issues for women in mining is not only their entry but their retention in the industry. Although there is growing interest from women, high turnover remains a problem since many leave mining after a few months due to hostile work environments. Novamine is working to overcome this barrier, improving recruitment processes and ensuring that women who join receive the support needed to adapt and thrive. The key, she says, is creating spaces where women can excel and develop their full potential.

As a woman in the sector, Alejandra shares her experience, highlighting the importance of perseverance and conviction in a predominantly male environment. Her advice to other women is “to stay firm in your goals despite the difficulties.” Regarding the changes she’d like to see in the mining industry, she underscores the need for more genuine and effective inclusion—not only of women but also of people of diverse sexual orientations or disabilities. Additionally, she considers it crucial to improve shared family responsibility, especially for mothers, who face additional difficulties due to mining shifts and schedules.