Starting her journey as a geologist, Koyel Chatterjee actively drives innovation in metals and mining, fueled by her determination to pursue knowledge and excellence. From earning top honors in geology to winning awards, her journey shows the passion for innovation, environmental responsibility and shaping the future of mining.
A passionate geologist and art enthusiast, Koyel Chatterjee brings 2.7 years of experience to her role as Assistant Manager at Vedanta Limited. She has a strong desire to explore new opportunities. This personality of hers helped her to grow academically and personally. Having completed her education in MSc I Geology from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar, Koyel continues to seek ways to expand her knowledge and skills.
Vedanta Limited is a leading global metals and mining company with a focus on extracting and processing natural resources to create value in various sectors. The company operates across key industries such as aluminum, copper, iron ore, zinc and oil & gas.
Starting from a Geologist
The journey of Koyel began as an exploration geologist, where she gained hands- on experience in the field. Over time, her knowledge expanded to areas like coal mine operations, quality control and geological modelling. She says, “This experience of mine allowed me to understand the broader aspects of mining and geology, which have shaped my career path.
Being a woman, it sometimes becomes difficult to put forward their views in a male dominated industry. Koyel, sharing her initial days says, “In the beginning, it was difficult to assert my ideas in front of a predominantly male team. However, over time, I grew more confident and now take pride in leading projects and taking ownership of tasks. I’ve learned to stand my ground and work towards creating an environment where my ideas are heard.
One of Koyel’s unique personality traits is to find different cultures to be intriguing and attractive. This perspective of hers allowed her to embrace diversity without feeling hindered by any cultural biases. She explains, “I see cultural diversity as an opportunity to learn and adapt to various ways of thinking and working”.
Koyel admits that she was eager to venture beyond academics and apply her learnings in reality, in an impactful setting. And Vedanta Limited, being a mining giant, offered the perfect platform for her, to grow professionally and gain exposure to the diverse operations in the mining sector. She also acknowledges the role of her seniors in her career journey, from her seniors she learned the importance of leadership, teamwork and how to effectively manage people in a workplace. She remembers, “their guidance has shaped me into someone who focuses on personal growth and helping those who thrive within a team”.
For her, Bidisha Das from work is her role model, a colleague who was one of the first women employees on the project site. She was the pioneer and has inspired Koyel with her leadership and ability to break the stereotypes in a male dominated industry.
Turn Challenges in Opportunities
According to Koyel’s view, the trend of joining ITs despite specialising in core engineering, may stem from the growing demand for IT professionals and the attractive career prospects it offers. However, she says, encouraging students to explore their core disciplines more deeply and providing them with better opportunities in their respective fields could help counter this trend. Some of the key achievements of Koyel include being a University Topper and Gold Medalist in BSc Geology in 2020, receiving the Best Thesis Award in MSc Geology in 2022 and earning the SCEO Award for ESG Water Management in 2023. These accomplishments reflect her dedication to academic excellence and her passion for sustainability in the mining industry.
For her, personal and professional philosophy is simple, be patient, stay humble, and always keep learning. She believes, “challenges are opportunities for growth, and staying grounded through every phase of life helps in overcoming them with grace”.
She asserts that women should be treated with more leadership opportunities, providing them with the right resources, mentorships and support can significantly increase their participation and success in leadership roles, promoting a more inclusive and dynamic work environment.
Koyel’s message to young women is to be patient and persistent. She says, life may seem tough at times, but trust me, your hard work and dedication will pay off”. She believes things do get better and every experience is an opportunity to grow.
