The mining industry is undergoing rapid transformation to achieve sustainability goals since it is the first link in the value chain, and is probably the most crucial of all other industries.
Mamta Jaswal, our next pathbreaker, Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, primarily covers lithium markets, which is a hot commodity given how the globe is accelerating its pace in replacing ICEs with EVs.
Mamta talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her doctoral research on Mines at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, focused on how groundwater can affect the stability of overburdened dumps (which are waste materials extracted from the earth to reach the ore deposit).
For students, we need more awareness around climate change and more policies that support decarbonization in order to help the world on its path to carbon neutrality.
Mamta, can you explain your background to our young readers?
I grew up in a small town of Gujarat. I would be honest, I had very limited exposure to different career paths. I only knew engineering and medicine, as those come with job security. Since my father is a civil diploma holder, I was always intrigued by his line of work, which mostly included construction site visits that I used to tag along sometimes. I knew I wanted to pursue something that is more “tangible” and that closed off doors of popular courses like computer engg and IT for me. Another caveat was to look for subsidized education because of the financial struggles we had. I came across Mining Engg as a career option, and it piqued my interest. The more I read about it, my inclination toward it grew stronger and I finally decided to opt for a very obscure career path.
What did you do for graduation/ post-graduation?
I did my BE in Mining from GTU followed by MTech in Opencast Mining from Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad. I also did a PhD in Mining Engineering from ISM Dhanbad.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional in Mining Engineering?
As the only female candidate in BTech and Mtech, it was quite challenging to navigate through all those years which was basically an all-boys club. The mine site visits, sometimes didn’t even have female washrooms. There was an immense pressure on me to prove myself in front of my professors and classmates. However, all these challenges helped me push my limits and as a result I was able to shine through each of these courses. I topped university as a gold medalist during my Btech, I got admission into the one of the oldest institutions established in 1926, IIT ISM Dhanbad. I ranked second in the batch during my post-graduation which specialized in Opencast Mining. My professors were able to gauge my potential and helped me make a decision to pursue a PhD from the same institute. That was a wise decision for my career as I got the doctorate in 2022 and became the first female mining engineer to do so since the institute’s establishment.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
During Mtech, the final year involves a dissertation where you are assigned a project or you can choose an area that interests you. I worked on evaluating waste dump slope stability in iron ore mines in Orissa. The objective involved studying the soil mechanics of the dumped overburdened material (which is waste material that you extract from the earth to reach the ore deposit). Mine management also carries out revegetation on these dumps, which is done to increase the stability of these slopes and also to protect soil from erosion. I carried out various laboratory tests to measure the effect of revegetation on the dump soil. It was an interesting work!
During my PhD, the research was still focused on the stability of overburdened dumps, but it moved away from revegetation effects. Due to low economic value of the material dumped in surface mines, the stability factor is often neglected in the industry. If slope designs are not done carefully and are not monitored, slope failures can result in catastrophe. There have been numerous accidents in opencast mines caused by dump slope failure, which caused casualties.
My doctoral research focused on how groundwater can affect the stability of these dumps. It included case studies of three different opencast coal mines. An analytical model was developed to delineate the course of groundwater within the dump and how it is affecting its stability. The model can be used to monitor FOS (factor of safety) of the slope.
I had done a few internships and undergone training during my graduation and post-graduation that mainly included staying at mine sites, learning about drilling/blasting, pit optimization, slope stability, revegetation on waste dumps. During my PhD, the research area was in a niche area, and I continued visiting mines, bringing in samples, and working in laboratories.
How did you get your first break?
Though I had a few job offers after my doctoral thesis submission, I went with Wood Mackenzie as the job role was different from what I had been doing in my PhD research.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Since I had been quite long in academia (PhD), I wanted a change. As I was about to submit my doctoral thesis, I started looking for jobs in the metals and mining sector and I came across Wood Mackenzie. It ticked all the boxes I was looking for in a job. During my academia, I had started reading about climate change, the Paris agreement and was keen on knowing how the mining sector fits into all of this. Now, as an analyst, I work with the Energy transition and battery raw materials team in Wood Mackenzie.
Where do you work now?
In Wood Mackenzie, I primarily cover lithium markets, which is a hot commodity given how the globe is advancing towards achieving carbon neutrality and how they are trying to replace ICEs with EVs.
Our business focuses on the data and analytics for the energy transition. Our products cover the entire renewables, energy and natural resources supply chain, enabling our customers to identify opportunities and manage risk. Target customers are corporates in the energy sectors, Governments that are framing policies for energy transition.
What problems do you solve?
At Woodmac, we provide research, data & analytics to our clients that help them with their investment decisions and strategizing.
We closely monitor how any govt policies, geo-political tensions and how it will reflect on lithium demand and supply.
What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire the skills?
Mostly analytical and critical thinking, to look at data and understand the picture it paints. My time during my PhD helped with these skills.
What’s a typical day like?
It’s a good ol 9-6 job, where managers respect your work-life balance. My team sits across the globe and it’s quite diverse. Day includes meetings and talking to clients, team-mates, providing in-depth analysis on lithium, modelling, sometimes it also involves going out to conferences, seminars etc.
How does your work benefit society?
I am actually doing something tangible. I help people who are on their path of decarbonization. I work with people who are trying to achieve carbon-neutrality and make the world a better place for upcoming generations.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
Recently, I was a keynote speaker and panelist at Critical Mineral Association, India at their first lithium summit. I represented Wood Mackenzie there, as India is also on its decarbonization path, it is exciting to participate in such important events.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
We have information at our fingertips now. Read and try to know more about different career paths, choose what interests you. For those who come from marginalized backgrounds and have limited resources, reach out to seniors who availed scholarships, build your network, and talk to your teachers and supervisors for better career advice and opportunities. There are systemic barriers, but try to find a way out of those and thrive.
Future Plans?
I would like to continue working in the energy transition space. We are all facing a serious climate crisis, which is evident with recent record-breaking temperatures, floods, etc. We need more awareness around climate change and more policies that support decarbonization. I would like to contribute in my own capacity to help the world on its path to carbon neutrality.