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Danielle Taran competes in the jack leg drilling competition, which is traditionally a ‘men’s only’ game.
Mila Besich Lira | Superior Sun
Superior Sun
As the work force changed and the economy grew it has not been uncommon to find more and more women joining the mining industry. Several years ago there was a huge push to encourage more young women into non traditional jobs, from truck drivers to construction workers and miners the field has been wide open to women to take on these jobs.
Every year there is usually a handful of women who compete in the annual mining competition, these industrial women show their expert skills in sawing, spiking and mucking. This year one competitor Danielle Taran competed against the men in the jack leg drilling competition. The drilling competition proved to be a bit more difficult, but Taran did not give up and she found her spot on the rock, and drilled away.
Winning the women’s sawing competition were Danielle Taran, first place, Marlene Arriola in second place and Pati Castaneda in third place. Taking first in the spiking competition was Marlene Arriola, Danielle Taran took second with Pati Castaneda coming in third place. Pati Castaneda and Marlene Arriola took first place in the team mucking competition. Danielle Taran and Lori Ketron took second place. Danielle Taran was the overall winner in the women’s mining competition.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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