ONE could say she’s a little woman in a man’s world. But don’t let Latoya Thomas’ small stature or long nails fool you. She has, for three years, braved the mines of Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) to perform the job she loves.

At 30 years old, the junior mining engineer — the only female occupying such a position at CCCL’s Rockfort operation — would have it no other way.

Thomas is one of several people involved in the separation, blasting crushing, testing, and storage of the raw material needed to create the inventory used in the company’s manufacturing process. She also functions in a supervisory role, helping to safeguard quality.

“We are responsible for the quality of the material the company supplies. We are responsible for the organising and testing of the material so that the unwanted material, which will ultimately affect the quality of the (output), won’t be a part of the production process,” said the woman, who was promoted to her current position having interned as a trainee geologist following her return to Jamaica from Barbados.

Thomas was speaking to Career & Education during a tour of the Rockfort mines, dressed in her ‘uniform’ of construction boots, ‘tuff jeans’ and a shirt — complete with a hard hat depicting the words ‘safety first’. All the while, she was issuing instructions to the men on site who were digging and collecting limestone and other raw material.

However, while she thoroughly enjoys her job, Thomas is the first to admit to the dangers involved — dangers to which she is not immune.

Since entering the field in 2008, she said she has, on a daily basis, had to take care to ensure that she does not fall into a ditch or otherwise be hit or crushed by any of the machines in operation at the mines. There is also the risk of explosion if the chemical components and physical composition of the raw material used are not properly mixed.

Thankfully, Thomas has had no mishaps so far.

“I have never been injured on the job. My personal belief is in self-preservation in everything I partake in; this allows me to exercise the necessary caution in my daily tasks. Secondly, CCCL has well-established safety guidelines for all positions,” she said. “Our daily activities are therefore carried out in line with these safety procedures. Once all the operating guidelines are followed, all the potential risks are reduced if not eliminated.”

According to Thomas, the challenges she faces in her career are that “the job is physically demanding and very hectic at times”. As such, she said she has to eat healthy and be in good physical condition in order to stay on top of her game.

She was unwilling to disclose her annual income, but suggested that it was more than adequate. Work as a junior mining engineer, Thomas noted, also has much to recommend it in the way of job satisfaction.

“The field is very rewarding… I enjoy the fact that I get to work outdoors and am not confined to the space of an office. Every day is different and dynamic. Although the end product of the cement may be the same, the initial stage is always different and every day you meet new people and learn something new,” said the single mother of one child, who holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and geography from the University of the West Indies.

Last December, Thomas completed her master’s in business administration with honours from the University of New Orleans. In recognition of this academic achievement, she was appointed a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Society — an international honour group for business students and scholars.