Driven by discovery: Fatma Al Hajriy’s journey into geology

For young Omani geologist Fatma al Hajriy, a deep-seated fascination with how rocks hold memories of ancient events sparked an interest in geology, eventually leading her to a career in Oman’s minerals sector.

“What attracted me to become a geologist was the opportunity to work outdoors and be able to understand the Earth beyond what we see on the surface. I was fascinated by how rocks could tell us stories about events that happened millions of years ago,” she said.The 28-year-old graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Wollongong in Australia in 2021 and now works as an exploration geologist at Minerals Development Oman (MDO), a state-backed mining and minerals company.

“My role as an exploration geologist is to investigate the ground and identify areas that could potentially host economically valuable mineral deposits. This involves studying geological maps, examining and collecting rocks in the field, interpreting geochemical and geophysical data, and supervising drilling programmes,” al Hajriy said.

Her working day can shift between fieldwork and office-based analysis, both of which she finds exciting. “One of the things I enjoy most about being a geologist is the excitement of discovering something new. It could be something as simple as identifying interesting peaks in geochemical data while working in the office, or actually encountering evidence of mineralisation in the field,” she said.

The work also comes with its own challenges, particularly when exploration takes place in remote locations.

“One of the challenges in exploration geology is the demanding nature of fieldwork. Working in remote locations, often in difficult terrain and high temperatures, requires physical resilience, adaptability and a strong commitment to safety,” al Hajriy said.

“What has helped me navigate these challenges is being open to learning from others, asking questions and approaching each challenge as an opportunity to develop my skills and experience,” she said.

Speaking about her experience as an Omani woman in the mining industry, al Hajriy reflected on the challenges and opportunities that come with working in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“I believe that being a woman shouldn't define what we're capable of achieving professionally. What matters most is our competence, commitment and willingness to learn. It's encouraging to see women represented in technical fields, and I hope that our presence continues to become something ordinary rather than exceptional,” she said.

When asked about her proudest achievement, al Hajriy pointed to her professional growth rather than a single discovery.

“For me, the achievement isn't necessarily one particular discovery, but seeing how much I've developed professionally and how my contributions have become more meaningful over time,” she said.

Reflecting on the significance of Omani Women’s Day, al Hajriy highlighted the contributions of women working in scientific and technical professions.

“For me, Omani Women's Day is an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women who contributed to the development of our country, including those working in scientific and technical professions. It's an opportunity to appreciate the women who have helped create opportunities for the next generation. I hope to see Omani women leading exploration projects, making scientific discoveries and holding technical leadership positions become increasingly more common in the future,” she said.

Her advice to young women considering geology or other science careers is to remain curious and ambitious.

“My advice would be to follow your curiosity and never limit your ambitions based on what is traditionally expected of you. Science offers so many opportunities to explore, discover and make meaningful contributions. You don't need to have everything figured out from the beginning. What matters is having the willingness to learn, ask questions and challenge yourself,” she said.

Looking ahead, a Hajriy sees Oman’s mineral sector creating opportunities for Omani women across technical and leadership roles.

“For Omani women, these opportunities are not limited to traditional geological fieldwork, and can include areas such as geochemistry, geophysics, resource estimation, data science, environmental management and technical leadership. I hope to see more Omani women not only entering the sector but also becoming technical specialists, leading exploration projects and contributing to important decisions about the development of our country's mineral resources,” she said.