Isabel Penaloza, a metallurgical engineering graduate student and research assistant at the University of Nevada Reno, shared her insights on the mining industry for National Miners Day. She highlighted the presence of mining in daily life and emphasized its evolution towards sustainability, diversity, and a people-focused approach. “The basis will always be education: how are we guiding the new generations toward the idea of ‘modern mining?’ Are we still teaching with the caged canaries (birds) or are we teaching sophisticated technology that now can be controlled from the surface?” she said.
Penaloza expressed pride in being a woman in a male-dominated industry and contributing to an industry that provides essential raw materials. “I am proud to be a Woman in Mining, coming from South America where it wasn’t easy to make my way,” she noted.
As a first-generation professional from Ecuador, Penaloza grew up understanding resource importance due to her family’s background in banana farming. She aims to inspire more women and peers to consider careers in mining, not only for profitability but also for its need for innovative ideas. “I want to inspire more women and my peers to consider mining as a future career,” she stated.
