Women in Engineering 2023 - Ana Bessa

Ana Bessa, BEng?- Mining and Quarry Coordinator, Planaltina Plant, Lhoist Latin America

What made you want to pursue a career in Engineering?

I saw in the mining industry an opportunity to help society make better use of our mining resources, which is essential for the development of new technologies and a better way of life. I wanted to be part of the solution, bring diversity and a more sustainable operation.

What is your educational background?

I got my degree in Mining Engineering from a University in Brazil in 2017, I studied English in Ireland for two years (2019 to 2021), finished an MBA in Project and Process Management in 2022, and this year I took the WLP – Women′s Leadership Program (Nova School of Business and Economics StartSe) and Leadership and People Management (Insper).

What is your field of specialization?

I first started my career in a plant of Niobium mineral processing, including comminution, concentration (gravity and flotation separation), dewatering and tailings dump. But since 2021, I'm specializing in mining operations, from drilling to crushing and milling of limestone and dolomite, and also coordinating the?fleet management maintenance.

How has Lhoist supported your career?

Lhoist has given me the opportunity to embrace challenges that helps me to develop my technical and management career.

I have leadership that believes in my work and support my growth and, many times, I was given the opportunity to enrol in valuable training and to?collaborate with other Lhoist Plants.

Have there been challenges on your path to becoming an engineer which you faced due to being a woman? And how have you overcome these?

Absolutely, I was an intern when I first realized that I was a women engineer and not just an engineer as were my male colleagues. For me it wasn't enough to be good, people would assume that I wasn't supposed to be in that position or working in operation, they would assume that I didn't know what I was doing, so I had to work harder to gain their respect, be prepared to fail and try again.?

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into engineering or completing those qualifications?

Do it with?purpose and this is not advice just for an engineering career.

We are bound to dream big, a purpose helps us to get there even when nobody believes in us. Be proud of who you are.