Breaking Barriers: My Journey into the Mining Industry as a Metallurgical Engineering Student 

My name is Tendai Kadye, and I am a 20-year-old student pursuing a Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering at the Zimbabwe School of Mines. I’m a member of the ZSM WIM STUDENT chapter which was introduced to our campus by WIM ZIMBABWE Women in Mining Zimbabwe an affiliate of the International Women in Mining IWIM.Since my early teenage years, I have been fascinated by the hidden wealth beneath the earth’s surface minerals, metals, and the powerful processes used to extract and transform them. As a young woman in a field historically dominated by men, my path has been anything but easy. However, my journey is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering passion. I share this story not only to reflect on how far I’ve come, but also to inspire other young women to chase their dreams, even in industries where they may be underrepresented. My interest in the mining industry began in 2020, when I was in Form 3 and had chosen to study sciences. That same year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown, and I transitioned to homeschooling. With limited resources, I had to cut back on the number of subjects I was taking. Despite this, my fascination with mining persisted, even though I only knew about Geology at the time. I successfully passed my O-Level examinations on the first attempt, including the key subjects of Mathematics, English, and Combined Science. With these results, I began researching institutions that accepted O-Level qualifications for further study in mining. At home, the pressure was mounting for me to pursue A-Level commercials subjects I neither enjoyed nor understood. Deep down, I knew that path wasn’t for me. In a bold move, I secretly applied to the Zimbabwe School of Mines for a diploma in Mining, Ventilation, and Environmental Engineering. Although it wasn’t my ideal program, I believed it could be a stepping stone. When I eventually told my father, he was surprisingly supportive and encouraged me to go forward with it. I passed the interviews, but my dreams were once again put on hold due to high tuition fees and my family’s financial difficulties. Heartbroken, I enrolled in A-Level and began studying commercials. Studying commercials felt like wandering in the dark. I struggled to keep up and felt disconnected from the content. Friends and relatives suggested different options from joining the Air Force to applying for nursing school but none of these paths resonated with me. I became discouraged and even considered dropping out entirely. But something within me refused to give up. 

I returned to my research and discovered the wider world of mining careers: Mining Engineering, Surveying, Geology, Metallurgical Engineering, Assaying, and more. It was Metallurgical Engineering that captured my attention. I found my true calling in the science of extracting and refining minerals and metals. I reapplied to the Zimbabwe School of Mines, this time for the program I genuinely wanted. In 2023, through God’s grace and my parents’ sacrifice, I finally enrolled in the Metallurgical Engineering program. After taking a gap year, returning to school in 2024 was tough. I was now learning alongside students who had completed science subjects at A-Level and were already strong in Physics and Chemistry. But I refused to be intimidated. I pushed myself and passed all five first-semester modules: Physical Chemistry, Mineral Processing, Introduction to Mining and Geology, Engineering Mathematics, and Communication Skills. My hard work paid off. I earned my First Aid certification and was proudly named Best Underground Overall Captain during the school’s First Aid Competition. Later that semester, I went on a one week induction trip to Freda Guru’s Gold Mine in Gwanda, where I gained hands on experience and even helped in constructing ridges for the tailings dam an empowering and eye-opening experience. The second semester was even more challenging. Tuition fees were once again a major concern, but my mother worked tirelessly to make sure I could return to school. The Ko modules were demanding, but I remained focused and determined. I completed my first year with seven merits and three credits an achievement I will always be proud of. Securing an internship was one of the most daunting parts of my journey. As a 20- year-old woman entering a male-dominated industry, I sent out countless applications with little to no response. The silence was discouraging, and I feared that my dream might end before it even began. Everything changed when I joined the Women in Mining Zimbabwe (WIM Zimbabwe) Student Chapter at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) — an incubation hub created to empower and mentor young women in mining. This transformative initiative was brought to our institution by WIM Zimbabwe, an affiliate of International Women in Mining (IWIM). Before joining, I often felt isolated and uncertain of how to navigate my journey as a woman in mining. But the Chapter connected me with a supportive community, industry exposure, and invaluable mentorship. I am deeply grateful to WIM Zimbabwe for their vision and commitment to bridging the gender gap in mining, and to ZSM for embracing this empowering initiative within the school. Through the Student Chapter, I gained access to mine visits, leadership training, and career guidance that gave me the courage to keep moving forward. On April 30th, 2025, I received the news I had been praying for: I was accepted for an internship at Eureka Gold Mine (Dallaglio), one of the largest mining companies in Zimbabwe. That moment was a breakthrough, made possible through the support and inspiration I found in the Chapter. In my first year, I visited over ten mines, including Brompton Mine, Venice Mine, South Mining, and others. I also entered the SADC Tertiary Essay Writing Competition, with results expected in August 2025. These milestones reflect not only my personal growth, but the power of networks that believe in young women’s potential. Today, I proudly stand as both a student and intern, walking boldly along a path I once thought was out of reach. My story is not just about academic or professional achievements it’s a story of courage, transformation, and purpose. I hope to inspire other young women to rise, to dream, and to pursue careers in mining with confidence. With vision, collaboration, and belief in the next generation, dreams can be transformed into reality even in the depths of the earth, where gold is found.