There are an overwhelming majority of guys in the mining industry, and this is what makes the contribution of every female mining engineer especially noticeable. Senior lecturer of the Mining Department Valentina Kuzmich shared her opinion about the profession in the mining industry, working in a men's team and her plans for the future. The girl is convinced that such feminine qualities as diligence, painstaking work and the ability to turn monotonous, strenuous work into an impeccable result allow you to avoid mistakes where they are unacceptable.
Valentina Kuzmich was born in Kirovgrad, not far from the "capital of the Urals" – Yekaterinburg. It is not surprising that in a region where the richest reserves of iron, copper, nickel and platinum ores, deposits of gold and silver, chromites, coal, potash and rock salts are concentrated, there is no need to talk about the prestige of mining professions and their importance to society. That is why the Ural State Mining University was chosen as the center of knowledge acquisition for the girl, from which she graduated with honors with a degree in surveying, having received the prestigious qualification of mining engineer.
– When I joined BNTU in 2012, I met a wonderful faculty team, which immediately contributed to creating a good impression of BNTU as a whole.
Valentina Kuzmich already had scientific experience at the Ural State Mining University and practical consolidation of her competencies at the gold mine.
Working at the Mining Department of the BNTU Faculty of Mining and Environmental Engineering, the senior lecturer noted that she feels comfortable in a predominantly male team.:
– The work process at the faculty is organized taking into account the priority of tasks and clarity of setting goals. This allows me to focus on a specific outcome. Recently, the mining industry has been actively transforming, focusing on digitalization. It is necessary to master new tools in parallel with scientific research and teaching activities. More recently, neural networks have also entered the arsenal, which help structure numerous information. In parallel with my teaching work, I devote a lot of time to my scientific and organizational activities, which require timely monitoring and dedication.
Such work, according to the teacher, eventually forms interrelated events. Valentina Kuzmich noted that professional multidisciplinary work combined with its social and creative component contributes to achieving significant results in training personnel for the mining industry.
– The results of my research on ensuring uninterrupted production of potash ores at Belaruskali have already been included in the design solutions of Belgorkhimprom and Kaliyproekt. They have been published and included in teaching aids for students receiving mining engineering education. Career guidance is organized on a systematic basis and annual admission of motivated applicants to the faculty's specialties is ensured. The results of my work allow us to state that my chosen profession gives me development, movement and an understanding that my work is really important for BNTU.
When asked how the current students differ from those who enrolled 10 years ago, the teacher answered boldly:
– The guys are choosing the profession of mining engineer more consciously every year. And, most importantly, girls are more likely to choose "male" professions, which emphasizes their individuality. I wish the girls not to be afraid to enter the profession of a mining engineer, it will only give them self-confidence, teach them determination and courage. And the mining spirit will create a special atmosphere for solving any tasks.
In addition to work, Valentina Kuzmich has hobbies, for example, skiing and roller skating.:
– I feel like I'm in my element when I'm on the move. My sports hobbies inspire me to further my development.
The girl has another important "achievement", no less significant than all the results of pedagogical and scientific work, she is a mother with many children.:
– Four children require no less time and effort than complex projects. I dream that these main "projects" in life will also be realized in the future!
Valentina Kuzmich is an example of how mining ceases to be a "male" profession, turning into a space for talented, purposeful and brave people, regardless of gender. She doesn't just teach and do science, but shapes the future of the industry through her students, implements modern technologies and shows that even in the harshest engineering environment there is a place for feminine wisdom, perseverance and attention to detail.
