Sowing into the young generation
Petronella Museta, who has been employed at Debmarine Namibia for 10 years, has over 15 years of geological experience in base metals, iron ore and marine diamonds.
Octavia Tsibes
Museta hails from the Zambezi Region, where she completed her secondary schooling.
She completed her tertiary education at Unam, where she obtained a BSc in geology and chemistry, the University of Cape Town, where she obtained a BSc honours in general geology and the University of Pretoria, where she obtained an MSc degree in applied geology.
After spending only a year as a geologist-in-training, Museta was appointed as a geo-data geologist at the Rosh Pinah mine, while the training normally takes three years.
She said at Debmarine every project she has worked on has added immeasurable value to the company, to such an extent that she have been rated among the best geologists in the firm.
“In high school I was never an enthusiast of the conventional careers geared towards women; I was more passionate about the science field, particularly natural sciences,” she says.
Museta, who is married and the mother of four boys, says the mining industry is male-dominated, so as a woman it is difficult to find your niche.
“Having to spend time way from my family has not been easy.”
She says one has to find a balance between your career and family life, to ensure that neither is compromised.
This has been very challenging for her.
Museta has adequate and versatile experience in the mineral resource management principles of various commodities, for example base metals, iron ore and marine diamonds.
She also has vast experience in the geo-statistical and financial evaluation of mineral resources, coupled with adequate insight into open-cast, underground and marine mining environments; and she is a perfectionist.
“I have a weekly to do-list which helps me in managing my daily tasks. However, as a project geologist my typical day varies based on what is required from the project that I am working on at that particular time. The activities vary from geological interpretation of sampling results, the validation of sampling data, resource estimation or resource-generation-related projects,” she says.
Museta likes gardening and landscaping.
“It is very therapeutic and relives stress after a long day at work. It is also a very good form of exercise; in essence it helps me stay in shape as well.”
She says that one should know what you want to become in life and have a clear vision of how to get there.
“To accomplish your goals you will have to work hard and know that you will encounter obstacles, but you can overcome them,” she says.
One of her plans is to expand her skills and knowledge in mineral resource management, so that she can continue to grow in her career within Debmarine Namibia and add more value, where required.
She also wants to transfer skills to young geologists who join the company.
Museta hails from the Zambezi Region, where she completed her secondary schooling.
She completed her tertiary education at Unam, where she obtained a BSc in geology and chemistry, the University of Cape Town, where she obtained a BSc honours in general geology and the University of Pretoria, where she obtained an MSc degree in applied geology.
After spending only a year as a geologist-in-training, Museta was appointed as a geo-data geologist at the Rosh Pinah mine, while the training normally takes three years.
She said at Debmarine every project she has worked on has added immeasurable value to the company, to such an extent that she have been rated among the best geologists in the firm.
“In high school I was never an enthusiast of the conventional careers geared towards women; I was more passionate about the science field, particularly natural sciences,” she says.
Museta, who is married and the mother of four boys, says the mining industry is male-dominated, so as a woman it is difficult to find your niche.
“Having to spend time way from my family has not been easy.”
She says one has to find a balance between your career and family life, to ensure that neither is compromised.
This has been very challenging for her.
Museta has adequate and versatile experience in the mineral resource management principles of various commodities, for example base metals, iron ore and marine diamonds.
She also has vast experience in the geo-statistical and financial evaluation of mineral resources, coupled with adequate insight into open-cast, underground and marine mining environments; and she is a perfectionist.
“I have a weekly to do-list which helps me in managing my daily tasks. However, as a project geologist my typical day varies based on what is required from the project that I am working on at that particular time. The activities vary from geological interpretation of sampling results, the validation of sampling data, resource estimation or resource-generation-related projects,” she says.
Museta likes gardening and landscaping.
“It is very therapeutic and relives stress after a long day at work. It is also a very good form of exercise; in essence it helps me stay in shape as well.”
She says that one should know what you want to become in life and have a clear vision of how to get there.
“To accomplish your goals you will have to work hard and know that you will encounter obstacles, but you can overcome them,” she says.
One of her plans is to expand her skills and knowledge in mineral resource management, so that she can continue to grow in her career within Debmarine Namibia and add more value, where required.
She also wants to transfer skills to young geologists who join the company.
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