The story of the woman with two passions who is responsible for the safety of 4500 miners

Tania Ribes lives two lives in one. His story is full of effort and perseverance, but above all things the love he puts on everything he does prevails. And it's not a little.

A native of San Juan, she studied at the Catholic University of Cuyo. She wanted to be a lawyer and she tried very hard for it. However, sometimes fate has other plans. Her brother, who studied Hygiene and Safety, in every talk, little by little, was excited to turn the helm. With a race about to end, he decided that the path chosen might not be the perfect one. That's why he embarked on Hygiene and Safety.

He began to look for work in something that - without imagining it - he was passionate about. I sent hundreds of CVs, but twelve years ago, the role of women was more sectorized. It recalls that in those years, the role of women in mining and, especially in occupational health and safety, and risk prevention, was difficult. However, he never lowered his arms. By insisting so hard to achieve his goal, he managed to get a company from San Juan, dedicated to the maintenance of power lines, to give him that unique and great opportunity. There, for the first time he went up to Veladero.

Ten years passed since that experience that would mark his life. From there, their reality split in two. She began to spend half the month in the mine at almost 5,000 meters high and the other one - she was going down - (as she says) to be with her daughters. Two girls who, in those years, were five and twelve years old. For a single mother, the challenge couldn't be more difficult but just as challenging. He had the opportunity to work on what he loved so much and add his experience in pursuit of safety. “The biggest question was what would happen if I wasn't there and something happened to them. It was a rather complex decision. In any case, not being present does not mean that you leave your role as a mother, because you are 100% attentive to what happens in your home, every day,” says Tania.

After working at Veladero in different positions, he is now in charge of security supervision. His days at the mine are summed up in a phrase that he repeats like a mantra: “Safety for me here is essential. It is that all people return to their homes in the same conditions in which they arrived.”

Their days begin at dawn. She eats breakfast in the dining room, surrounded by her companions - mostly men - and, with the smile that always characterizes her, she gets into the van and, after a daily technical talk, she goes around the territory to make sure everything is in order. “One day of mine in Veladero is not routine. Just as we have changing weather conditions, Veladero's activities are different every day. The usual and normal thing is to arrive at the office, check emails, take tours, talk to people and conduct training.” For Tania, any dangerous situation is avoidable and we must work permanently to make the mine a safe place. A task that he considers accomplished.

In 2021, more than 4500 employees and 900 supplier companies are part of the Veladero team. 91% of workers and more than 400 companies are from San Juan. Its mission is to be a world-class gold mine, with a hazard-free environment and full workers, that creates long-term value for its communities and partners.

His second life: the return home

Without his mining helmet, although his heart beats every time he mentions Veladero, he admits that over the years it becomes more difficult for him to leave the family. However, he rescues that every return home is an encounter full of hugs and kisses. Today in her home, her daughters are waiting for her, who have grown up but receive her with the same love as they did ten years ago. In addition, her husband, who appeared in her life to order her, as she clarifies, waits for her with the food ready to enjoy all four and catch up. In any case, his passions include his love for cooking. “I make the best pizzas and milanese in the world,” he proudly says.

Proudly Sanjuanina like most of her peers, Tania is grateful to her life in Veladero. It is a place that opened the doors for you and gives you opportunities to deploy your knowledge in security. For her and all lovers of this profession, mining and oil are two great fields to be able to apply the knowledge acquired and are among the industries as the best safety indexes in the country. In addition, it recognizes that it is an industry that has become a source of opportunities for many people who should not emigrate and find the best job close to home.

Tania, that brave woman who leads a work team, who takes care of something as essential as security, knows that her future lies in Veladero. That the years can go by but you can't imagine doing anything other than climbing the mine. There is his other family: “We have our family of blood that is fundamental and for which we are here but we also have our working family who are our colleagues and co-workers. Veladero is my place, my life. It means everything to me,” she concludes excitedly.