Dedicated to International Women’s Day – 8 March.
S.Saran works as a welder at Oyu Tolgoi’s Open pit. Thirty years ago she graduated as an electrical and gas welder from the Construction Vocational technical school in Ulaanbaatar and since then has been true to her profession. Sarantuya worked at a number of companies before joining Oyu Tolgoi three years ago after a competitive selection process.
The work she does now is challenging. But her passion and pride for her profession protect her from shunning this difficult job. How can she not be proud of her profession when she breathes new life to damaged and worn out buckets of massive Bycarus excavators and Oyu Tolgoi’s 28 giant Komatsu 930E haul trucks. These are the only trucks of their type in Mongolia. Saran works with 13 other colleagues during her shift. She is one of two female welders out of a top class team of 40 at the open pit.
“No job is easy or simple. In summer it’s tough welding with your full personal protective equipment and thick heavy outfit. In the Gobi sometimes the mercury rises to as high as 45 degrees Celsius. On top of that, the metals you are working on heat up. Despite this, I have never thought of giving up my profession,” proudly claims Saran. Her husband Ts.Gantulag works for a local private company and they have four grown up sons.
“I feel satisfied when torn and damaged parts and instruments appear new and shining after polishing, glazing and painting. Our senior manager is a young man from Australia. Although young he is a talented leader sharing with us where we lack the knowledge and experience. We also have regular training and soon we will gain international welding certification. In other words, we are improving our professionalism. I am proud of my very friendly and hardworking team and we produce quality results because we share ideas before staring on something new,” Saran says about her team.
Saran can rightly be called a woman with sparks in her hands and heart.
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