At the heart of every successful mining operation are individuals whose dedication, expertise, and leadership quietly shape the future of the industry. This Women in Mining Month, SSC Group and Lesedi Drilling proudly recognise Vivian Makoro, Site Manager and Geologist, whose journey reflects resilience, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence.
Born into a modest family where education, hard work, and perseverance were deeply valued, Vivian learned early that success is not determined by circumstance, but by the determination to pursue one’s goals despite challenges. Those values continue to guide her leadership style and professional approach today.
Although she did not always envision herself working in mining, exposure to the industry during her studies sparked a fascination with the scale, complexity, and significance of mining operations. What began as curiosity quickly developed into a passion for an industry that contributes to economic growth, creates opportunities for communities, and demands constant innovation.
Vivian completed her Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of Limpopo before pursuing a Bachelor of Science Honours degree at the University of the Free State. Her commitment to lifelong learning has seen her continue her academic journey through a Master of Science degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, while recently enrolling for an MBA through MANCOSA to further strengthen her leadership and business management capabilities.
One of her greatest inspirations has been her brother, whose pursuit of education and achievement of two Master's degrees demonstrated that circumstances should never limit ambition. His discipline, determination, and commitment to growth continue to motivate her own pursuit of excellence.
Her career began as a Geologist at RVN Group, where she gained valuable exposure to mining operations and geological decision-making. She later expanded her expertise through postgraduate research involving seismic surveys and geophysical studies at various mining operations.
Her professional journey then extended into environmental and geotechnical consulting, where she developed expertise in environmental compliance, monitoring, reporting, and responsible resource development. These experiences provided her with a holistic understanding of the mining value chain and reinforced the importance of sustainable mining practices.
Today, Vivian serves as Site Manager and Geologist at Lesedi Drilling, where she oversees drilling operations, project coordination, safety and compliance, operational performance, and geological quality. Her current role combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, allowing her to contribute directly to exploration success and project delivery.
One of the most significant milestones in her career has been being entrusted with leading her first project at Sibanye-Stillwater. The surface exploration drilling project supports geological investigations and resource understanding through safe, efficient, and high-quality drilling operations.
For Vivian, this opportunity represents more than a project assignment. It reflects the confidence that Lesedi Drilling and SSC Group have placed in her abilities and provides an important platform to further develop her leadership, operational, and project management skills.
As a woman working within a traditionally male-dominated industry, Vivian acknowledges that establishing credibility and proving technical capability can sometimes require additional effort. However, she has consistently allowed her work ethic, knowledge, and results to speak for themselves.
The qualities that have shaped her success include resilience, adaptability, curiosity, discipline, humility, and a willingness to continuously learn. She believes that collaboration and empathy are equally important attributes for effective leadership.
For Vivian, being a woman in mining means helping shape an industry that continues to evolve while creating opportunities for future generations of women. She believes that leadership, competence, and technical excellence are not defined by gender but by dedication and performance.
She is encouraged by the increasing number of women entering technical and leadership positions and believes the industry must continue investing in mentorship programmes, leadership development, inclusive workplace cultures, and intentional career progression opportunities.
Her advice to young women considering a career in mining is simple yet powerful:
"Be curious, work hard, ask questions, and never underestimate your abilities. Mining offers incredible opportunities for growth, learning, and impact."
To young women who may feel intimidated by entering the industry, she offers this encouragement:
"Do not allow stereotypes to define your potential. Your knowledge, dedication, and work ethic are what matter most."
When asked to describe her career journey in three words, Vivian chose Resilient, Purposeful, and Evolving.
Resilient because challenges have strengthened her.
Purposeful because she has always been driven by meaningful goals.
Evolving because she continues to learn, grow, and embrace new opportunities.
As SSC Group and Lesedi Drilling recognise Vivian Makoro as one of our Women in Mining, we celebrate not only her achievements, but also the example she sets for the next generation of mining professionals.
Her story reminds us that leadership is built through perseverance, growth, and the courage to pursue opportunities beyond one's comfort zone.
We thank Vivian for her contribution to our business, our industry, and the future of mining.