Endeavour Mining's regional head office in Abidjan hosted the constitutive and elective general assemblies of the Women in Mining Côte d'Ivoire (WIM CI) association. This landmark event saw the election of Blanche Djetouan Kouassi, Legal and Administration Director of SODEMI, as the first president of this organisation dedicated to the promotion of women in the Ivorian mining sector. At the end of this historic day, an executive committee was also set up to support this new dynamic.
The Assembly was attended by a number of influential figures, reflecting the importance attached to this initiative. Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Mr Anderson Blanc, Ambassador of Canada, Ms Adjaratou N'Diaye, Resident Representative of UN Women, as well as representatives of the Director General of Mines and Geology, the Minister for Women, the Family and Children, and the GPMCI (Chamber of Mines). The President of the Union Nationale des Opérateurs Miniers de Côte d'Ivoire and a number of women leaders from the mining sector were also present to celebrate this decisive step.
The WIM CI Executive Board, elected at this meeting, reflects a diversity of skills and experience within the mining industry. Its composition is as follows:
– Présidente : Blanche Djetouan Kouassi – Directrice juridique et de l’administration, SODEMI
– 1ère Vice-Présidente : Christiane Kouakou Affi – Coordinatrice RH et présidente des femmes de la mine d’Agbaou, Allied Gold
– 2e Vice-Présidente : Larissa Adingra – Directrice du mining et présidente des femmes, Perseus Mining
– Secrétaire Générale : Noellie Dadehys Gah – Regional Manager Legal & Administrative Services, Roxgold Fortuna
– Secrétaire Générale adjointe : Saphia Pakora – Directrice des ressources humaines, mine de Yaouré, Perseus Mining
– Trésorière : Marie-Gisèle Kouadio – Senior Expediting Chef, Perseus Mining
– Trésorière adjointe : Adeline Soro – HR Supervisor, Centamin
The board is completed by the heads of specialised committees, including Aminata Touré and Evelyne Kouassi (auditors), Rebecca She Zidouemba (training and capacity building), Benedicte Amoa (studies and advocacy), Doris Okoli (communications and public relations), Etodie Bleu (sustainable development and civic action), Zoe Nadau (entrepreneurship and local content), and Bintou Soro (mobilisation and member services).
The General Meeting also appointed three honorary chairwomen, members of the Comité des Sages, to guide the association in its ambitions:
– Laetitia Gadegbeku Ouattara, Vice-Présidente Affaires Publiques & Directrice-Pays de Endeavour Mining Côte d’Ivoire
– Silvia Bottero, Vice-Présidente exécutive Exploration, Montage Gold
– Pauline Tahi, Senior métallurgiste surintendante, Perseus Mining
Women in Mining Côte d'Ivoire is committed to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of women in a sector traditionally dominated by men. Under the leadership of Blanche Djetouan Kouassi, the association aims to build women's capacity, encourage entrepreneurship and advocate for greater representation in the mining industry.
This marks a significant step forward for gender equality in Côte d'Ivoire and promises to make WIM CI a key player in the national and regional mining landscape.