Capable and confident: Carib Cement’s Latoya Thomas breaks down barriers

There are many women in a variety of professions contributing to making a difference and delivering on their respective organisations’ mission while helping to pave the way for other women in similar positions.

Latoya Thomas, senior mining engineer with Carib Cement, has been doing a phenomenal job in what can be considered a male-dominated industry since she began her career at the company in 2007.

With a first degree in earth science and a Master of Business Administration in general management, Thomas is among a group of women who have been working to change the status quo of women at the company.

“I am fascinated with the Earth and its spatial variabilities. I enjoy learning about and working with the equipment and seeing the different ways in which they can impact the Earth,” Thomas said.

“It’s been almost 12 years, but every day is almost new to me. I am challenged on a daily basis to impact change to a landscape responsibly and safely in ways that are in line with mining and environmental regulations,” she added.

FULFILLING WORK

For Thomas, every day on the job is fulfilling because she gets to do what she enjoys. “I have always wanted to work in my field of study because I have a passion for it. Every day is like going on a field trip, and it really is fascinating,” she said.

Thomas believes that although her field is considered to be male-dominated, women can be effective and successful in it. “That idea is changing. I don’t believe this field is a man’s world or that I am a woman in a man’s world,” she said.

“Significant headway has been made by others who came before me, and I have continued to pave the way for females to come. The key is to be competent and to let your work speak for itself. I have seen that both male and female colleagues demonstrate respect for you once you can show that you are capable and competent,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ role is to plan and execute all activities involved in the extraction of raw materials for the cement-manufacturing process. She ensures that the extraction of raw materials is in accordance to the mining plans and that quality materials are supplied to internal customers at costs that are competitive on a global scale.

“All of this has to be done safely. Therefore, daily meetings and site visits with my team are held to ensure conformance to safety, technical and regulatory standards,” she said.

Thomas is also required to keep abreast of best practices in material handling, equipment, drilling, and blasting and work on implementing these improvements.

“Last November I went to the CEMEX Global Quarry Academy in Texas, USA, and that was eye-opening as there were many colleagues, both men and women all working together to extract responsibly. I learnt a lot that could be applied here in Jamaica,” she said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com