#WomensMonth2024: Sumaya's journey in a male-dominated industry

Sumaya Khan, senior technologist at the CSIR Future Production: Mining, is the definition of resilience and passion, as shown by her steadfast commitment to making a difference in her field. She is a true testament to the power of perseverance and the impact women have in driving sustainable practices in the mining sector. This Women’s Month and beyond, we recognise Sumaya as a phenomenal CSIR woman.

Growing up with a mother and grandmother who were both diligent and entrepreneurial instilled the values of independence and resilience from an early age. Her mother owns a small bakery on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, while her grandmother was involved in various business ventures, from farming and selling vegetables to recharging batteries and fishing. “They both gave me responsibilities from a young age and taught me the value of attaining independence,” said Sumaya. These early lessons fostered a strong work ethic and an appreciation for versatility, traits she embodies in her professional life today.

Unearthing passion

“I enrolled in a biological science degree when I started university but quickly realised that working with living subjects was not my forte. I moved over to geological science in my second year and have never looked back since,” Sumaya shared. Her career began in a civil engineering laboratory, where she gained experience in geotechnical site investigations and foundation design. She later transitioned to a rock engineering consultancy, where she specialised in slope stability for open-cast mines and underground work, gaining extensive experience in the mining industry.

Sumaya acknowledges that the mining sector is both stimulating and challenging. She joined the CSIR Future Production: Mining cluster in 2019, and she shared that it was a significant turning point, providing her with broader exposure to the mining industry and an opportunity to expand her professional network. However, her journey has not been without its challenges, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated field. From managing hygiene issues in remote mining locations to confronting sexual harassment and dealing with resistance to her assertiveness, she has faced numerous obstacles. Nevertheless, she views these challenges as opportunities for growth in both her personal and professional capacity.

Contributing to a sustainable future

Despite the difficulties, she remains passionate about her work, particularly in the scope of sustainable mining. She has led several key projects, including initiatives on the circular economy in mining, the development of Sustainable Development Goals guidelines for the sector and a project focusing on assessing South Africa's competitiveness in the extraction of critical minerals, a crucial undertaking as the global race for renewable energy resources intensifies.

Sumaya’s commitment to sustainable mining is rooted in a belief that the industry must evolve to meet the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. She advocates for a shift towards more sustainable practices, emphasising the need for environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability.

Her work aims to ensure that the natural resources we have today are preserved for future generations. Furthermore, it is aligned with the CSIR EPIC values. “The key to sustainability is through people-centricity, integrity and collaboration. These are aligned with three of the four CSIR EPIC values, one being the people-centricity value, ‘shared value’ is an integral part of sustainability that seeks to address the needs of all stakeholders in mining, especially mining communities. Integrity, which relates to ethical and responsible leadership in mining, means aligning business strategies with initiatives that support the environment, society and governance. Lastly, effective solutions to challenges can only be achieved through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders. Furthermore, sustainability initiatives around mining operations could be scaled through collaboration between two or more mining operations in an area or through collaboration with municipalities, resulting in more impact,” Sumaya emphasised.

Women’s Month and beyond

In addition to her professional achievements, Sumaya also maintains a balanced personal life, managing her roles as a mother, a wife and a scholar pursuing a master's degree in mining engineering. She credits her supportive husband and caring family for helping her navigate the demands of her career and personal life.

She believes that women, with their unique perspectives and leadership styles, can bring meaningful change to the mining industry. Her vision for the future includes more women in leadership roles, driving ethical and socially conscious decisions that benefit both the environment and society.

As she reflects on her journey, she emphasises the importance of embracing one's unique strengths and leadership style, especially in a male-dominated field “Women’s Month serves as a reminder,” Sumaya exclaimed, “to honour the achievements of women in the industry and to continue advocating for greater gender equality and safety, particularly in the face of rising gender-based violence.”