Ten women considered to be “the most influential in the Mining, Oil and Gas sector in 2024, were honored on Thursday 10th, during the gala of the first edition of the ‘Women in Mining, Oil & Gas Conference’, held in Luanda under the slogan ‘Building the Future – Towards the Next Generation of Women Leaders in the Mining, Oil and Gas Industry in Angola’.

The awards went to Ana Maria Feijó, Ana Bela Marques, Elizandra Lima, Beatriz de Sousa, Bernarda Martins, Engracia Soito João, Horvanda Andrade, Regina Helmore, Albina Moreno and Ana Major.

Priscila Gonzaga Morais, one of the organizers, said that events like these are important because “they aim to debate, value and promote the role of women in the mining, oil and gas sectors, areas seen as vital for Angola’s economic and social growth”.

During the event, stories were told of the first woman to work on offshore platforms, the first woman to work in a mine, the first lapidary and other life testimonies.

“Being honored means carrying the weight on my back. It means I have to work harder,” said Engrácia Soito João, Deputy General Manager of Sociedade Mineira de Catoca.

On the sidelines of the event, Beatriz de Sousa, a retired engineer who worked in a diamond mine for more than 30 years, her last job being that of Chairman of the Board of Directors of SODIAM, acknowledged that there is already work being done to increase the number of women in mining, through training seminars and professional internships.

“It’s necessary for young people to know the laws such as the mining code and the risks they will encounter, to prevent them from entering the industry with the false idea that I’m going to work in diamonds and in two years I’ll be rich,” she warned.