Goldfields Ghana has made a groundbreaking appointment by naming Catherine Kuupolo Kuutor as the first female general manager for its Tarkwa mines. With more than 20 years of experience in gold mining and a proven track record in metallurgical processes, Catherine’s new role will oversee the management and operation of all mine areas.
Prior to her appointment as general manager, Catherine made history within Goldfields as the first female metallurgical manager, responsible for overseeing both the Tarkwa and Damang mines. Her journey is a source of inspiration for Ghanaian women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Catherine’s career in metallurgy began at Golden Star Wassa Mine in 2004, where she started as a laboratory metallurgist. She quickly rose through the ranks, serving as shift supervisor, senior plant shift supervisor, and International Cyanide Management Code coordinator. Her innovative business enhancement initiatives contributed to significant improvements in gold recovery processes at Golden Star Wassa Mine.
In 2013, Catherine joined Goldfields’ Damang mine as a superintendent in the Metallurgy department, where she quickly ascended to the role of Unit Manager in 2015. Her leadership and dedication led to numerous business improvement processes that resulted in increased gold recovery at the Damang plant.
Her impressive career trajectory is a testament to her hard work and resilience. She is also committed to advancing the representation of women in mining, sponsoring two annual academic awards for outstanding achievements in mineral engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa—one for the best student overall and another specifically for the best female student.
Catherine’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for her career in mining. She earned a Diploma in Mineral Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Mines in 2002, followed by a Master’s degree in Mineral Engineering from UMaT, Tarkwa, in 2011. She is currently pursuing her PhD at UMaT, further enhancing her expertise.
Her achievements have garnered significant recognition, including awards from the Ghana Chamber of Mines and being honoured as Female Mining Professional of the Year at the 6th GMIA Awards ceremony in 2020. Goldfields CEO has also recognized her exceptional contributions to the company’s success.
Source: Newsalertgh