Caitlin Jeffs: finding the right balance.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: MINING

Attitude is everything for women to succeed in the mining industry. Caitlin Jeffs, vice-president of Thunder Bay's Fladgate Exploration Consulting, said some women's experiences, both good and bad, can be shaped by their preconceived approach to their work.

Women's general perception of the industry is that it's an all-male club and sometimes they try to overcompensate for that.

"Some women walk in with a chip on their shoulders to show I'm tough, I can handle this," said Jeffs.

"They expect there to be conflict. And when you walk it expecting it, it happens."

Handling yourself in the field and gaining the respect is not something that can't be taught at school.

"Like moving a (drill) rig, my personality is I don't walk in saying I'm the boss. I walk in saying what's your suggestion? How about we try this? I work with them, same as anywhere."

Jeffs grew up in a Vancouver household where her father's philosophy was, anyone can do anything.

She was introduced to geology in her early 20s while working summers at a casino in the historic Yukon mining town of Dawson City.

"These geologists would come in and were telling me stories about what they were doing and just I thought this looks like a lost frontier. It's still very adventurous."

After graduating with a University of British Columbia geology degree in 2002, she worked for Placer Dome at Mussel-white Mine before starting Fladgate, a 20-employee firm she co-founded in 2007 with her husband Michael Thompson.

On the side, she runs Red Metal Resources, a copper-gold project in Chile, and is director with Kesselrun Resources, a junior outfit in northwestern Ontario.

Jeff said most of her experiences working in all-male environments have been positive.

"We do work in different ways, and we have to approach things differently from men, but there is no reason why women cannot thrive in today's mining world."

Out in the field, Jeffs used her female charm to get things done.

"When you're out in the bush and you need a driller to do something, you kind of capitalize on that. He hasn't seen a woman in six weeks. Why not? You don't have to flirt, you don't have to promise anything, but if you go out and smile and act nice ... it'll go a long way."

Jeffs takes heed of the advice of a female prospector on the gender issue.

"When you're out in field, you're there to work, not socialize or find a boyfriend."

Compared to her trailblazing older contemporaries, Jeffs finds the biggest challenge is juggling a...