Today, we shine the spotlight on Oneka Dundas, a dedicated team member at our Bonasika bauxite mine in Guyana, South America.

Oneka joined First Bauxite in 2023 as an articulated dump truck operator. In her role, she is responsible for transporting bauxite ore from the mine to the run-of-mine stockpiles. Her journey into the mining sector began in 2018, when she completed a six-month heavy equipment training program designed specifically for women in her home village of **St. Cuthbert’s Mission** on the Mahaica River in Region 4. The program provided hands-on training with cranes, forklifts, telehandlers, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and trucks.

Reflecting on her career, Oneka shares: *“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my six years in the field and take great pride in doing my job well. My time at First Bauxite has taught me so much about mining, safety, problem-solving, and managing challenges.”*

She acknowledges the realities of working in a male-dominated industry: *“It hasn’t always been easy, but I believe women can achieve anything in this field if we set our minds to it.”* The biggest challenge, she notes, is adjusting to the roster and time away from loved ones—sometimes at the expense of missing important family moments.

At First Bauxite, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for women in our workforce. Oneka’s journey reflects this commitment, as she concludes: *“The team has always been supportive and respectful.”*

We’re proud to share stories like Oneka’s as we continue to promote diversity, inclusion, and opportunity in mining.

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