MONDULKIRI – Two trailblazing female graduates from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) are breaking barriers in the gold mining industry.  They're tackling key roles as a surveyor and a metallurgist at Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) Ltd in Mondulkiri province, overcoming challenges related to gender and demanding work schedules.

Renaissance Minerals, a subsidiary of Australia’s Emerald Resources NL, employs nearly 700 Cambodians, including 60 women, at its gold mining site.  Around 90 employees are from overseas.

Chhun Thhey, originally from Battambang province, has been making her mark as a surveyor at the company since August 2023, after earning her bachelor’s degree.

“I am proud of being the first female surveyor and contributing significantly to the team although I initially encountered challenges as a fresh graduate adapting to the work and schedule,” Thhey said.

She explained the crucial role of surveying in gold mining: “Survey is crucial in gold mining. Without a survey, excavation would not be possible. Some sites contain underground cables and water pipes, so we need to conduct thorough checks before excavation.”

Thhey’s work involves marking boundaries, designing layouts, determining precise site measurements, and transferring data to other departments.  This demanding role requires her to spend at least three hours daily under the scorching sun at the mining site, gathering data for processing back in the office and coordinating with other teams.

Her georesource and geoengineering degree has proven invaluable, with her studies covering relevant topics like rocks and construction.  At Renaissance Minerals, Thhey works 12-hour shifts, from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm, on a four-weeks-on, two-weeks-off schedule.

Another ITC graduate, Heu Raksa, from Takeo province, is making her mark as a metallurgist at Renaissance Minerals.

Starting as an intern, Raksa discovered a passion for processing plants, despite majoring in geology.  Invited to work as a metallurgy technician in 2023, she was quickly promoted to junior metallurgist in 2024.

Regarding the long work hours, Raksa admitted, “As a metallurgist, my main responsibility is working in the laboratory to develop effective methods for refining gold and ensuring smooth processing,” Raksa said.

She added, “The company is good at exploring gold, managing waste and chemical substances and has taken steps to plant more trees to minimize the effects of mining to the environment.”

She was initially surprised by the work schedule but adapted and now finds it the best way to maintain her energy and gain valuable skills from her international colleagues.

Raksa revealed her driving inspiration in this field. “What motivated me to engage in the field was due to my ambition to take risks and prove that women can also take roles as men do in this industry,” she explained.

Raksa is determined to show that Cambodians can excel in these demanding jobs just as well as anyone else.

Renaissance Minerals offers internships each year to ITC students and those from the provincial department of training, with some interns later offered full-time positions.

Looking to the future, Raksa encourages younger students to study hard and improve their skills in both their major and English.

Renaissance Minerals launched its Okvau Gold Project in the Okvau area of Keo Seima district, producing its first gold in 2021. As of February 2025, the company had refined around 13,720.9 kilograms of gold. 

Heng Sreylin contributed to the story.