Tigui Camara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tigui Camara
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Born |
Conakry, Guinea
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Occupation | Mining entrepreneur, model |
Employer | Tigui Mining Group |
Tigui Camara, also known as Tiguidanké Camara, is an amazing businesswoman from Guinea. She used to be a model and now she runs a mining company called Tigui Mining Group. She's also part of a group called International Women in Mining.
Tigui is one of the youngest people in Africa to own a mining business. She's also the only woman in Guinea who owns a mining company! In 2017, a magazine called Jeune Afrique said she was one of Africa's 50 most powerful businesswomen. Later, in 2021, Avance Media named her one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Africa.
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Tigui Camara's Early Life and Modeling
Tigui Camara was born in Conakry, a city in Guinea. Her father was a politician and her mother was a businesswoman. Tigui started modeling when she was just 12 years old.
In 1996, she moved to Morocco to study Business Management. After finishing her studies, Tigui moved to the United States. She kept working as a model there for several years. Her modeling career continued until her twin children were born in the 2000s.
Her Journey into Mining
In 2008, Tigui Camara bought a share in a mining company. This was the start of her career in the mining world. In 2009, she created her own company, the Camara Diamond Trading Network. Then, in 2012, she started a bigger company called Tigui Mining Group (TMG).
Her companies focus on mining in West Africa. They work especially in Guinea and Ivory Coast. TMG specializes in finding and taking out gold and diamonds. They have special permits to work on diamond mining in places like Kérouané and Macenta.
In 2017, Tigui started the TMG Foundation. This foundation helps manage projects that give back to the community. These projects are part of TMG's investments. By 2018, TMG also planned to invest in mining for bauxite and iron.
Why She Chose Mining
In an interview from 2018, Tigui explained why she got into mining. She said that when she was a model in the USA, many jewelry companies hired her. This made her curious about where the jewelry came from. She wanted to know how it was made and how mining affected local people.
The answers she found made her want to get involved in the mining industry. She saw a way to make a difference.
Making a Positive Impact
Through her companies, Tigui Camara also invests in good causes. She supports building sustainable homes and developing farms. She is a member of International Women in Mining. This is a global group that supports women who work in the mining industry.
In 2013, she also started Women in Mining Guinea. Tigui has shared her story and experiences at big events. These include the Africa Mining Summit and the New York City Forum for Africa.
Awards and Recognition
Tigui Camara has received many important awards. In 2017, the magazine Jeune Afrique named her one of Africa's 50 Most Influential Businesswomen. This means she was one of the most powerful women in business on the continent.
In 2021, Avance Media listed her as one of its Top 100 Most Influential Women in Africa. As of 2018, she was the only woman in Guinea to own a mining company. She is also known as one of Africa's youngest mining entrepreneurs.