Gabriela Uriburu Castillo, first president of a mining chamber: “Mining is a great opportunity for regional economies”

Shortly before graduating as a lawyer, Maria Gabriela Uriburu Castillo He began his career in the mining sector with the Agua Rica mining project, where he currently holds the position of head of legal matters. 16 years after this start, The executive became the first woman to head a mining chamber: she held the post of president of the Chamber of Mines of Catamarca. She is also a member of the Gender Commission of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Entrepreneurs (CAEM) and a member of the Board of Directors of Woman in Mining Argentina (WIM).

– What is the participation of women in the mining sector, historically considered a male activity?

– With the possibility of being part of this institution, a door has opened for other women to be encouraged to be part of mining, to learn and study the subject. When the company gave me the opportunity to be part of the Chamber, it seemed like a big challenge. I wanted to bring my experience to also transform the camera according to the requirements of the new generations.

– What percentage of women work in the local mining industry?

– There are several mining forums in which women participate. One is the Foro de Mujeres Mineras, which has more than 300 women across the country. There are more women who have started to take positions at the head of mining organizations and today we have a Minister of Mines in Catamarca who is part of this renewal.

– What positions do women who work in the sector occupy?

– There are professionals within the industry ranging from graduates in geology, mining techniques, environment, health and safety. In some companies, there is a majority of women in charge of Human Resources, community relations, purchasing and logistics. Also architects, engineers in various branches, lawyers, accountants, economists and doctors. We have female doctors working on a project with a listing from 14 to 14. They are 14 days on site and 14 days off. Corn there are also women who drive heavy equipment, drive large tonnage trucks. I fall short because there is a wide range of possibilities.

– How did you start your mining career?

– I started very young, at 23 and today I’m 39. I had a job interview in a mining company in Agua Rica when I was a law student at the National University of Catamarca . I was fascinated by the work environment and I am still in the same company. For the support of the company I was elected president of the chamber.

– What growth expectations is the sector facing in the years to come?

– Given the reality of the moment, on the one hand we have the effect generated by the pandemic. But I believe that We can see short-term mining as a great opportunity to be one of the engines or pillars of the development of regional economies, not only where each of the projects is located, but also the economy of all the provinces. Mining can create employment opportunities through direct and indirect local employment with the development of suppliers and the investment of this entire economy throughout our territory.

– How many projects are there compared to previous years?

– There are notable differences. Today, we talk more about mining as a state policy. When I started, we didn’t know much about the mining company because very little was communicated about the industry. There is much stronger control by the government and the agencies involved in monitoring the activity. This makes mining follow a responsible path to develop the industry according to what the community demands. There is greater transparency in information and greater involvement of the community in all processes.

– Have many projects been stopped because of the pandemic?

– There was no stopping of the project because the mining activity has always been considered essential. We were the pioneers in establishing a biosafety protocol. Today, all exploration and exploitation work is subject to a very strict regime of compliance with Covid protocols. A listing 14 by 14 minor is a job in the bubbles. During this time, they are working, they avoid contact with other people. Prior preventive isolation is carried out for five days before going to the site in order to guarantee the impossibility of contagion and that once their listing They can go home and protect everyone’s health. No mining project was halted during the pandemic, at least in Catamarca.

– And how does the macroeconomic situation affect the development of the activity?

– We have a very large investment from shareholder companies in the Mara project (which integrates Agua Rica with the Minera Alumbrera plant) in the province of Catamarca. The extraction processes are long; To generate the investments, this is done annually with a perspective of what will happen during the year with suppliers, purchases and employees who will be taken over. There is now a better dynamic in the province for investors to continue investing. It is a project for the future that needs to be developed. There are other lithium projects in the exploration stage, like Galaxy and Livent, that are really making a big investment.

– Mining continues to be an activity that raises questions about pollution and the use of natural resources, how do you approach these questions?

– Those of us who work in mining and live in Catamarca always rely on dialogue. This is the right way. We are a mining province and through this dialogue we are looking for links to develop mining as in other provinces, such as San Juan, Santa Cruz and Salta. We all want a healthy environment, protect our land for future generations, and focus on progress and growth for all.

– What does a greater presence of women bring to the industry?

– Women are increasingly encouraged to participate. It’s not easy to get involved if you don’t have the motivation. As president of the chamber, she has been invited several times by the University of Catamarca to participate in activities, such as training sessions. And there was always a large participation of women where they consulted me for job opportunities.

– Have you ever felt that your path in the industry was more difficult because you are a woman?

– I believe that a whole society readjusts to a new situation. Some areas were run by men and when a woman comes in there is a change but I never felt discriminated against. For some it was easier than for others but I don’t see any discrimination; I have great support within the chamber and the mining community where we all know each other. Since Catamarca is a small province, they supported me in a beautiful way.

– What are your forecasts on the evolution of the industry in the years to come?

– The change I have seen is that mining is now considered a state policy. One of the most important changes is the communication of the mining industry at all levels. The biggest challenge we have today between government and industry is to continue to give institutions the role of controlling and establishing processes, creating a bond for the community that will serve as a basis for developing the activity in a sustainable manner. Mining can be the platform for developing other activities and supporting the energy transition towards low-carbon green technologies. It could not be achieved without the presence of the mining company.

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