Inspiring Women in Mining: Patience Mpofu's Journey

A Journey of Passion and Purpose in Mining

After more than three decades in the mining and sustainability sectors, Dr. Patience Mpofu has become a respected figure in the industry—though she never intended to follow this path. "Mining chose me," she says with a smile, "but I fell in love with it."

Mpofu began her career with an undergraduate degree in chemistry in South Africa. She secured her first job as a research chemist at Impala Platinum, where she later received sponsorship from Anglo Platinum to work on a tailings-focused sustainability project funded by the Australian Mining Industry Research Association. This opportunity brought her to Australia, where she now resides, and led her to complete a PhD in mineral processing. It was during this time that she realized the profound impact mining could have on both the planet and people.

Early Career and Challenges

The early days of her career were filled with challenges, particularly as one of the few women in the field. "The overalls never fit properly, and there were never any women's toilets onsite," she recalls. Despite these obstacles, she found herself drawn to the potential for positive change within the industry.

Inspired by her roles at companies like Anglo American, Lonmin (now Sibanye Stillwater), and South32, Mpofu has focused on promoting sustainability and supporting women in climbing the ranks. Today, she is the CEO and founder of Insight Mining Experts, a consultancy that helps miners achieve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while conducting sustainability research.

"I realized I had been working more on sustainability than anything else," she reflects. Her work extends beyond the environment, emphasizing the importance of understanding community needs. "Even when I was at Lonmin, I was involved in transactions, but it was also about sustainability because we decided to give equity to employees and support local communities."

Embracing Innovation and Circular Economy

Mpofu’s current focus is on promoting circularity within the mining industry. "If we start at the beginning where we hit the rock, then I think we can change the narrative about the mining industry; we need to start thinking about how we are designing the mine of the future and make sure we close the loop," she explains.

One of the key challenges in the industry is the management of tailings. Mpofu notes that many issues stem from the fact that waste is still being dumped rather than leveraged for value. "People see that waste; we are not leveraging all the ways we can to create value, employment, and empowered communities," she says.

Her consultancy recently participated in an UpLink innovation challenge on circularity in the mining sector, showcasing projects that demonstrate the potential for change. "I am passionate about using innovation to change the industry—the projects are phenomenal. That is the next stage for us, to showcase what these people are doing and how mining companies can really embrace or support them."

Progress and Ongoing Challenges

While there has been progress in areas such as dewatered tailings and processing plants, Mpofu emphasizes that more needs to be done. "Is it enough? No, we need to do more." One of the biggest challenges remains legacy tailings, which often sit unused for decades. "When people say mining is dirty, it is because that is what they see."

Championing Women in Mining

Another major passion for Mpofu is increasing the number of women in the mining industry. She recalls the difficulties of being the only woman in the room. "It is difficult when you probably don’t laugh at the same jokes as your peers, superiors, or subordinates. You want your sisters in there."

Mpofu has never tried to hide her femininity, and she believes that qualities like empathy helped her rise through the ranks. At Lonmin, her empathetic leadership style played a key role in her promotion, especially during negotiations with unions after the Marikana massacre.

Personal Mission and Mentorship

Mpofu has made it her mission to encourage more women to enter the mining industry and create a more inclusive workplace. During lockdown, she wrote the Amazon best-selling book Unleashing My Superpowers, a memoir and manual for women in male-dominated industries. She now offers leadership coaching and diversity and inclusion workshops to CEOs and executives.

She advises women interested in mining to consider STEM fields, as they offer greater opportunities for advancement. "If you are in STEM, it is easier for you to rise because there are not many women there," she says. She also suggests exploring careers in sustainability analysis or working with AI, which she sees as the future of the industry.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Mpofu remains optimistic about the future of mining. She points to technology as a game-changer, citing companies like KoBold Metals that are using AI to revolutionize exploration and re-mining of tailings. "Innovation will be so critical," she says. "We need to start looking futuristically, harnessing innovation and technology, and saying it is for everybody."

Mpofu believes that the mining industry must ensure that no one is left behind, including women and girls. "Let's make our environment inclusive for everybody," she concludes.