In all the sectors I worked in before mining, I always felt oppressed and often seen as an object. Society has this tendency to put women in uncomfortable situations. But, in mining, we feel welcomed and respected at our posts and we are not measured by our physical appearance, but by our professionalism. I feel safe and I encourage women to enter this industry.

I see Vale's role in hiring and promoting women as a great incentive for them to constantly dedicate themselves and reach ever higher levels. My advice to those who want to work in mining is: have dedication and willpower, because you can always get where you want to go.

Being a woman has never hindered my professional trajectory in mining. I've always been very positive about my goals and sure about my interest in the industry. I believe that the female presence in these environments is important to break paradigms and show that a woman's place is wherever she wants it to be.

At no time did I feel inferior or incapable of performing tasks that men do. On the contrary, being a woman and being in an area considered masculine helped me to see the strong woman within me that I didn't even know existed.

I joined Vale in 2010 as an operational trainee and I have never faced any problems for being a woman. For me, seeing more women in mining is a source of great pride, as it reinforces that we have the right to be wherever we want.

Seeing how much Vale has invested in women is gratifying. We have more and more space and opportunities to show how much we are capable of achieving everything we aspire to. My advice to those who want to enter the industry is: don’t be afraid of the new. Be determined and never bow your head when you feel oppressed by the fact of being women, show, through professionalism, ethics, conduct and commitment.

While it’s true that commercial roles within the mining industry tend to be overrepresented by men, which can be intimating for women looking to enter the industry, times are changing and Vale is at the forefront of that movement. Vale has given me many opportunities and I have proven that women bring the same competences & capabilities as men. Don’t let yourself be intimated by the male predominance in the field. Join us and let’s make a difference.

We are “surfing” in a wonderful moment of respect and recognition. My initial performance was in the midst of a macho culture with little appreciation for female professionals. Therefore, I am extremely happy with Vale’s role in the women’s cause. Don’t be shaken by the fame of a predominantly male area. Mining is a world of opportunity for everyone who is willing to discover it!

Working in Vale I would not even feel a hint that women and man can be differently, which was perceived in mining industry. Our country manager is women and recently our office hired 10 management trainees from thousands of candidates and 9 are women. The advice I would give for who are interested in mining will be: life is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to have vision, plan, patience and resilience. Women are capable doing anything you are willing.

In general, there is an opinion that women are not suitable to work in heavy industries. But in this era, we see more and more women who want to join or already have positions in Vale. And this can increase the confidence of the female workforce in pursuing their dreams. Prepare yourself, keep the spirit. Having self-confidence is one of the keys to survive in a male-dominated industry like mining.

Vale's culture is one of those that I am proud to be part of - a safety conscious environment that invests in people and promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment; respect and collaboration; improving together to achieve common goals. I encourage more women to consider careers in geoscience and the mining industry, as the opportunities are vast.

Show your skills and dedication, then we can compete with anyone. Working in a mining processing plant that is synonymous with a masculine world, makes me even more challenged to show that women can do it too!

When I feel included I am more motivated to give in more time and energy in my work. When I see my employer is focusing on accepting diversity and create social norms for inclusion, I feel welcome and engaged this encourages me to be more creative. I become a participant not a spectator

The journey to becoming a female worker in our industry starts before the job application and begins with young women being encouraged to view working in this type of industry as an exciting opportunity for them.

I used to hear people saying, “it’s a man’s world”, but look at what women have achieved in Vale these days. Many women have proven to be the best in what they do - and I aspire to become like them one day. So ladies, be confident, speak boldly and be proactive. We can do it too!

Working in mining is as challenging as it is pleasant, since we learn to deal with complex processes but are also faced with pre-judgments. All of this means that women have to prove our capacity to occupy our place. However, I see that Vale is a company that has sought to be the mirror of society with all its diversity and that makes me want to grow and develop my skills and competences here.

The path to success is filled with obstacles and hardship especially for women in the mining industry. Looking back, I feel proud of the woman I am today as I managed to build a career path paved with numerous successful milestones, perseverance and hard work. The road is still long and I am looking forward for more challenges and more success proving that nothing is impossible for any woman to achieve. The sky is our limit!

It was with the supportive and diverse culture at Vale that I was able to successfully chart a path forward for my own betterment, both at a personal and professional level. When I took on the role, I realized very quickly that “being the change I wished to see” would have to become far more than just one of my many utterances, but something I would have to follow every day.

I recently joined Vale Oman as Head of Environment and I was impressed to see how women are becoming a major contributor to the success of the Mining Industry and I’m confident that more women are on their way to being leaders in this field.

I am one out of the two first women attending and graduating at ITA, in Brazil, and I am very proud of, since then, pioneering the path for women in usually male environment. I am sure there is nothing women cannot do, it just a matter of willingness and determination!

Vale is committed to valuing diversity and promoting inclusion. Since I took the position as Country Manager, I have been determined to keep promoting the meritocracy culture and recognizing our employees only by their performance instead of their gender, race or anything else. I believe, your dreams and aspirations will take you wherever you wish to go at Vale.