In this episode of Hearts & Minds, we speak with Mia Gous, Regional Operations Manager at First Quantum Minerals. Mia is an accomplished engineer with extensive global experience, famously serving as the first female General Manager in Chile’s large-scale mining sector. She shares powerful reflections on leading through the COVID-19 pandemic and her journey across diverse cultures, commodities, and languages. The conversation explores the critical pillars of trust and purpose in leadership, the importance of culture in executing strategy, and the evolving challenges of maintaining competitiveness in the Australian mining landscape. A deep and empathic discussion with a pioneering leader dedicated to mentoring the next generation of industry talent.

 

Mia Gous🔗 linkedin.com/in/mia-gous-49688450

David Beilby 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbeilby/

Alana Bray-White 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-bray-white-8b4478219/

ivy & gecko  🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ivy-gecko

 

Timecodes:

00:00 Trailer

01:05 The Courage to Stay: Leading a Chilean Mine through COVID-19

04:00 Reflections on the "Pivotal Decision" to put people first

06:36 Formative Years: Growing up in Apartheid-era South Africa

08:00 The Impact of Nelson Mandela’s Moral Leadership

10:25 Navigating Different Cultures, Commodities, and Languages

14:45 Career Highlights: Becoming the first female GM in Chile

18:00 The Future of Mining: Changing the Industry’s Global Image

19:55 Mining Families: A daughter’s perspective on a FIFO career

23:45 A Day in the Life of a Global Operations Manager

28:50 Three Pillars of Leadership: Relationship, Trust, and Purpose

32:15 The First Quantum Values: Bolder, Smarter, Driven Together

36:30 Why Culture is the Bedrock of Strategy and Execution

39:40 Challenges Facing the Australian Mining Jurisdictions

43:55 David’s Formula for Trust

46:10 Rapid Fire: The 10:00 PM Club and Advice to her 25-year-old self

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Recorded and produced by Podwave Studios:https://podwavestudios.au/

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in 'Hearts & Mines' are those of the podcast participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ivy & gecko or any other agency, organisation, employer, or company associated with the podcast. Content provided is for informational purposes only.