PANGKALPINANG -- The mining sector is often identified with heavy and masculine activities. However, behind the masculine mining activities, there is a growing presence of women in this world.
Even though they are still a minority in the mining sector, the stories of women who work in the mining sector tell stories of resilience, courage and contributions that cannot be doubted.
Women workers in the mining industry are not only limited to administrative or support work. More and more women are directly involved in operational activities.
The ability of women to adapt to harsh and tough environments is proof that the diversity of women's involvement in this sector can provide optimal contributions to companies.
Apart from that, women also have an important role in ensuring sustainability and environmental responsibility in the mining sector. With different insights and perspectives, women can help create more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices.
PT Timah provides space and opportunities for female workers to develop and increase their capabilities. Women even have a strategic role in supporting company performance.
The following is inspiration from female workers at PT Timah who have dedicated themselves for dozens of years to the company so they can make maximum contributions to the country and build national civilization through the mining sector.
Ria Wardhani Pawan, one of the female workers who has served 25 years at PT Timah, told of the many experiences and excitement she had after joining PT Timah.
This alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, currently serves as the Main Director of PT Timah Industri, which is a subsidiary of PT Timah which operates in the tin downstream sector.
This woman, who is often called Ria, said that she was the first woman to become Head of the Mentok Metallurgical Unit, which at that time had to lead around 800 people. Even though it was only nine months, he said the experience was very valuable and made him stronger.
For Ria, gender is not a barrier to being able to work optimally, provide optimal contributions increase capabilities, and innovate. Being in a masculine environment makes Ria even tougher.
For him, PT Timah supports female workers, this is proven by the equal opportunities between male and female workers, it's just a matter of how the workers develop themselves to be able to contribute to supporting the company's performance.
"The exciting thing is that we can do what we want, maybe people see women as having many limitations, but when we try to give our best the unexpected is something extraordinary," he said.
Ria shared her memorable experience when she was placed by PT Timah in London to support the marketing of PT Timah products in the European market.
"The most memorable experience I could have ever imagined was when I was placed in a subsidiary in London and didn't come home for 4 years. There were three floors in the office and I was all in one cleaning, changing lights, and marketing products," he said.
Although he admitted, there are several challenges that female workers sometimes face, such as physical ones. But this can be well anticipated. He said challenges are an effort to encourage oneself to try harder and learn more.
"Experience and knowledge become learning to build logical thinking used in work. How can we complete tasks not just by doing the task, but trying to give our best? Because every task has a process that we go through and that is the learning process," he said.
For her, as a woman, she should not be confined by gender bias, because women have the opportunity and opportunity to develop their abilities and have a career according to their wishes.
"Gender is not a problem if we intend to give the best in our work, PT Timah provides equal opportunities. It's just a matter of managing and developing our abilities so we can have the appropriate competencies," he said.
He advised women not to easily get trapped in their comfort zone so they can continue to develop their best abilities in work and everyday life.
"Don't think of work as a part-time job, because it is an opportunity to express your competence and capabilities. Look for new dreams to do, don't get stuck in one position," he advised.
Likewise, the Head of the Commercial Division of PT Timah Tbk, Yenni Wiska Ariani, said that being in the masculine mining industry had never occurred to her before. However, after becoming part of this industry he gained a lot of experience.
"The majority are men, but at PT Timah and in my work environment I don't see gender as a form of exclusivity. Sometimes male workers also forget that I am a woman, because the mindset of the work environment is that everything is equal, what is important for them is how they contribute to the company and the country," said Yenni.
Yenni said that she was proud to be part of a tin mining company because even though tin is not the main metal in a product, almost every electronic product uses tin, which means that PT Timah and its workers are part of supporting civilization.
"I never dreamed or wanted to work in mining, but when I got this vacancy it was surprising, it turns out the mining industry looks very masculine, but behind that masculinity, women can contribute and I feel that," he explained.
As a female worker, she said there are several challenges she faces, especially as she is a mother. However, PT Timah has various programs that support this.
"As a mother who has two children, I feel that PT Timah supports us because I once took unpaid leave to raise my eldest child and this was provided by the company. In the office there are also adequate facilities because there is a lactation room and other things," she said.
Yenni invited women who are active in the mining industry to remain enthusiastic to continue to make the best contribution to the nation and state.
Oktaviani, who currently serves as Head of the Finance Division of PT Timah, also shared the excitement of being a female worker at PT Timah. For decades at PT Timah, he has gained a lot of experience and opportunities from PT Timah to develop his career.
"As a female worker amidst a majority of men, it has its challenges, but this is not an obstacle. It provides an opportunity to show my abilities as a woman by making the best contribution to the company," he said.
According to him, PT Timah provides opportunities for female workers and the company also gives appreciation to those who excel.
"We are a minority from the majority, but we are in a work environment where we are equal to men. We are busy with our respective jobs and tasks so that we can stimulate adrenaline to be able to work optimally," he said.
For him, the 16 years he spent with PT Timah were not a short time, he experienced various leadership patterns and the ups and downs of the company's performance.
"An experience that I never imagined before was that I could go to London and Nigeria. At that time I went to London as an appreciation given by the company for the Timah Innovation Award event and at the same time I was allowed to take part in LME Week, as well as to Nigeria for company service," he said.
Even though they work in the financial sector, he said they also often go to mining sites. This of course also cannot be separated from various risks. However, that didn't make him afraid.
"PT Timah's support for female workers is very real, this can be seen from the increasing number of women who fill strategic tasks in the Company. For this reason, we still have to be enthusiastic about working and learning and continue to develop our skills and potential, the work environment does have risks so we "You also have to always be alert and maintain balance to stay physically and mentally healthy. The most important thing is to work sincerely and continue to make the best contribution," he said.
The role of women in the mining sector is increasingly developing, involving all human potential regardless of gender and supporting the creation of a fair and equal work environment for all our PT Timah's concrete steps in supporting its female workers. (*)
