Historias del territorio
Yenni Santamaría
A Visionary Woman Committed to a Bright Future
In the municipality of Montecristo, south of the department of Bolívar in the Highlands of San Lucas, Colombia, Yenny Santamaría comes as a beacon of hope and leadership for the artisanal and small-scale mining sectors.
Mina Sarco is located in this region, a small-scale mining organization where Yenni arrived in 2020 as Chief of the Plant to start a challenging yet rewarding process: to eliminate mercury use in gold processing.
“I am the first in my family to venture in the mining sector. They have always been in the agricultural field. Mining is my livelihood; I am passionate about it, and it highlights all my abilities to the best, aiming to make a contribution to the development of a clean, sustainable mining industry.”
It has not been easy being a woman in a field that typically belongs to men. However, conviction, self-reliance, and momentum have been the tools for Yenny to set a path in this world, and now she has a vision and a dream: to create a women’s network to empower other women in the community and inspire them to dream big.
Eliminating Mercury: an overcome challenge
One of Yenny’s most outstanding achievements in her career was her leadership during the process of eliminating mercury use in Mina Sarco. Yenny and her team, mustering determination and teamwork, reached a milestone that only a few thought could be possible.
“It was a process that took a great deal of commitment, work, and perseverance. It is difficult for companies to be willing to make geological studies here to know the mineral and how to process it. Nevertheless, with our knowledge of the mine, we pulled this process through. It took several months, but it was possible thanks to our knowledge.”
Currently, as Yenni says, Mina Sarco uses two gravimetric tables in its production model, reaching a gold collection rate of over 90%
This paradigm shift has brought a positive transformation in the organization, not only for processing techniques but also for occupational health and safety, social well-being, and environmental protection issues. This way, Mina Sarco has become a reference for responsible mining in the area.
“By eliminating mercury, we protect miners’ lives, both men and women, which has been inspirational for other mines in the region to start thinking about clean production processes.”
Thanks to her passion for responsible mining, Yenny wants to keep making a contribution so that other mining organizations can also implement mercury-free processing with good results and profit.
“I encourage companies to invest in gravimetric tables that will last for several years and will give them peace of mind about affecting the health and lives of their workers and their families. It is possible to mine responsibly; you just need to learn how to do it.”
Gender Equity: Leading the Change
In a mining world ruled by men, Yenni Santamaría has excelled as an example of female leadership. “Being a woman has always been a challenge, especially in such a masculinized environment,” she reflects. Most workers are men, but Yenny has proven that gender should not be a hindrance to success.
Mina Sarco, where Yenni works, is an example of gender inclusion and equity. Five women, all of them specialists in different disciplines, lead the operation’s headquarters.
“We are leading women, and we have pulled this process through with effort and the conviction of doing our best,” she proudly states. “It is a great achievement to highlight in mining: women in decision-making roles.”
However, Yenni does not stop here. Her altruistic vision is to create a group of mining women that can support other women in the community. Her dream is to create a women’s network aiming to empower young women to study and get training to become financially independent.
A Glimpse into the Future
This visionary woman keeps working hard for the development of responsible mining. She sees the potential in Mina Sarco to reach Fairmined Standard Certification and sell gold on the market at a fair price.
“We want to keep innovating. We are a mining organization that has everything we may need to obtain the certification and sell gold that is responsible throughout all its processes and value chain.”
Yenny Santamaría is a true inspiration, a beacon of hope for small-scale mining, and a strong defender of gender equity. Her life and achievements remind us that with passion, determination, and a solidary spirit, we can overcome any obstacle and build a brighter future for all of us.