IPNEWS: One way to break a stereotype is to be a trailblazer and mark the path for others to follow. Meet Angelique Myers-Jekula, one of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s trailblazers. Angelique is AML’s Health and Safety Lead for Operations Readiness. A passionate and resilient health and safety practitioner, Angelique has made her mark in the mining sector but has also become an advocate for Liberian women in the industry.
Angelique grew up in the Monrovia suburb of Caldwell where she saw loaded trains of iron ore travel to the Free Port of Monrovia from the famous Bong Mines. From a young age, she was fascinated by the stories of miners and working with big machines and different people. After earning her degree in Public Administration, Angelique explored different fields, but was always on the lookout for an opportunity in health and safety or mining, something she eventually achieved when she joined ArcelorMittal Liberia.
Entering the mining workforce was no easy task for Angelique, as many consider the field a man’s territory. However, she remained undeterred. Angelique used her challenges as motivation, proving herself through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.
“My gender is no limitation to what I want to do or who I want to become.”
Over the years, Angelique has excelled in various roles, from fieldwork to management positions. She has played a pivotal role in implementing stronger health and safety practices and her efforts have not gone unnoticed; she has received several recognitions and awards including the “Best Employee of the year – 2022” just within her first year of working with ArcelorMittal Liberia, certificate of Appreciate and Recognition for being an outstanding contribution to the operations as a woman – 2023.
The energetic and enterprising health and safety professional was recruited by ArcelorMittal Liberia in 2021 as Health and Safety Superintendent, assigned in Yekepa where she was pivotal in helping her department and the company maintain a high safety standard and performance. She led several safety initiatives and programs for staff, including the ‘Guardian Angels’ program.
Since its launch, the Guardian Angels program has helped in promoting the culture of health and safety in ArcelorMittal Liberia, by recruiting and training more staff as safety ambassadors in their respective work sites and departments.
Thanks to her commitment and dedication to duty, Angelique was promoted to a new role of Health and Safety Lead for Operations Readiness in ArcelorMittal Liberia, where she’s responsible for ensuring that the right health and safety systems, policies, and standards are in place to help drive the company into its Phase II operations.
Phase II operations entails a significant growth in the ArcelorMittal Liberia workforce, the use of modern technologies
such as the concentrator, a rail car dumper, ship loaders, increased rail capacity amongst others, as the company expands from a five million tonnes per annum production (5mpta) to fifteen million tonnes per annum (15mpta).
Angelique’s ArcelorMittal Liberia journey has been exciting, from a personal and career development perspective, as she has benefited from several training opportunities that have prepared and propelled her into the next stage of her career.
In April 2023, Angelique was sent to ArcelorMittal Brazil for nearly three months on a development mission to expand her knowledge, learn best practices and apply them once she was back home to ArcelorMittal Liberia.
Her mission focused on assessing and benchmarking the health and safety systems for ArcelorMittal Brazil Operations and Project, as they had just started construction of a concentrator like is being done by ArcelorMittal Liberia.
“I was able to learn about their best practices, system application, and how they communicate the Fatality Prevent Standards by grouping leaders to spearhead different aspects of their health and safety programs.”
“Going to ArcelorMittal Brazil on a development mission was very impactful as I gained insights to the complex world of health and safety in a mining and manufacturing environment. I was able to observe keenly how big world-class organizations manage their health and safety programs to keep their employees and facilities safe.”
As ArcelorMittal Liberia advances with its Phase II Expansion project, Angelique sees a lot of opportunities to institutionalize the valuable lessons from Brazil in the context of maintaining strong and effective health and safety standards.
Recognizing the importance of representation and inclusion of more women in mining, Angelique has become a mentor for young women interested in mining. She does this by sharing her story and experiences, coaching and mentoring.
An aspiring writer, she’s working on short stories to help inspire kids and young women into mining and the health and safety profession. Through her work and advocacy, she aims to create a more inclusive environment in the industry and inspire the next generation of female health and safety professionals and miners.
Angelique work extends beyond the mine. She is actively involved in her local community, promoting educational initiatives and scholarships for young women. Her commitment to social responsibility has earned her respect and admiration, not just as a health and safety practitioner, but as a leader in her community.
Angelique embodies the spirit of resilience and determination in an industry that is evolving. As she continues to break barriers and inspire others, her story serves as a reminder that with passion and perseverance, women can succeed in any field. The future of mining is bright, thanks to trailblazers like Angelique, who are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable industry.
“My advice to young girls who wants to pursue a career in mining will be that they should not allow themselves to be held back by the notion that mining is a man’s work. Their gender has no limitation on them. Let them remain focused and continue to pursue their dreams. Just as I am succeeding, they too will succeed,” she said.
As ArcelorMittal Liberia expands, Angelique’s vision is to continue to gain further exposure and experience, in readiness for bigger roles and responsibilities in the future.
