The women making copper shine

Copper 360 is not only South Africa’s emerging copper giant, but is also a business that understands the mutually symbiotic relationship between the success of a company and its human capital. 

In recognition of its employees, Copper 360 debuts its first set of accolades to four women that have become highly influential and integral members of the greater team at its operations in Nababeep, in the Northern Cape.

Jacolien Wyethe

Jacolien Wyethe is Copper 360’s Chief Technical Officer. Her expertise in background engineering and as a qualified chemical engineer has made Wyethe a valuable senior member of the executive team. 

But it doesn’t end there. As they say in the classics, there’s more. Wyethe also has extensive experience and expertise in process engineering design through to feasibility specification.

Colleagues describe her dedication, oversight and process management, from strategy through to implementation, as both exceptional and inspirational. 

Presently she has taken charge of overseeing the test work, design and project execution of a new flotation plant currently under construction, while simultaneously provideing crucial technical oversight at the company’s hydrometallurgical plant. 

Jana Van Wyk

Jana Van Wyk has been described as a no-nonsense, get the job done kind of person. And as GM of operations, her training as a geologist has provided depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to the business.

Van Wyk’s leadership role demands that she directs the production cycle from mining through to copper cathode production. Staff say that they have never seen her without her walkie talkie, and admire the fact that she has no qualms digging in and helping to solve challenges or simply lending a hand. Everyone has felt her presence, and her management approach that combines a measure of empathy with sweat, has endeared her to everyone at the plant.

Elria Mare

Senior Plant Metallurgist and Deputy Plant Manager of the Nababeep Hydrometallurgical plant, Elria Mare’s philosophy is centred around her work ethic. She leads by example, and never shies away from any challenge within a robust and often complex environment. Tenacity is a lesson she teaches simply by doing, and her passion is infectious. 

Mare’s line manager at the plant lauds her for her unwavering commitment and hands-on approach to every aspect of her job. It makes her an essential and valued participant winning the respect from her workmates and managers.

Chriselle Farmer

Compliance is often a role fraught with hurdles, complexity of regulatory confines and, added to that, the demands of effective communication, vertically and throughout an organisation. Chriselle Farmer fulfils this challenging role. She holds a BA in community development, and is dedicated to making a positive impact not only in her job, but in the lives of fellow employees and communities. With her vast experience gained at the Department of Social Development, she is adept at managing compliance-related matters and has demonstrated an invaluable skillset, appreciated by management and workmates alike.