Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide statutory and technical leadership for all mechanical engineering activities on the mine, ensuring legal compliance under the Mine Health & Safety Act (MHSA), safe execution of mechanical work, optimal equipment reliability, and effective supervision of mechanical artisans and contractors.

The GES Mechanical owns the mechanical maintenance strategy, statutory inspections, asset integrity, and engineering governance across the operation.

Key Responsibilities

Statutory Compliance (MHSA Appointee)

Fulfil duties as a legally appointed 2.9.2 / 2.13.12 (site‑specific) Mechanical Supervisor.

Ensure compliance with:

• MHSA and associated regulations
• SANS engineering standards
• OEM specifications
• Permit-to-work, LOTO, and safe isolation standards
• Maintain statutory records: inspections, tests, registers, certifications.

Mechanical Maintenance Management

Oversee mechanical maintenance across:

• Gyratory crushers & ore handling
• Milling circuits (SAG/Ball mills)
• Flotation & reagent systems
• Pumping systems (slurry & water)
• Compressors, thickeners, agitators
• Workshops, pipelines, structural frames, gantry cranes.
• Ensure safe and effective execution of preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Lead mechanical proactive and breakdown response and support fault diagnosis.

Leadership & Supervision

Supervise teams of:

• Mechanical fitters
• Boilermakers
• Artisans' assistants
• Contractors
• Conduct daily planning meetings and toolbox talks.
• Ensure competency, discipline, and development of mechanical staff.

Asset & Reliability Management

• Oversee lubrication, alignment, vibration analysis and condition monitoring.
• Support reliability improvements (RCM, FMEA, root cause analysis).
• Monitor equipment performance trends and reduce frequent failures.
• Ensure spares and consumables meet engineering specifications.

Engineering Planning & Work Management

Work closely with planners to develop:

• Preventative maintenance schedules
• Shutdown scopes and task lists
• Resource plans and BOMs
• Approve job cards and ensure quality of work execution.
• Manage backlog levels and maintenance KPIs.

Safety Management

• Enforce engineering safety standards in workshops and plant.
• Ensure proper risk assessments (HIRA) accompany all mechanical tasks.
• Lead or participate in incident investigations.
• Maintain emergency readiness (fire, spills, mechanical failures).

Projects & Modifications

• Support engineering projects and plant upgrades.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, drawings, specifications.
• Oversee construction quality, commissioning, and handover to operations.

Budget & Cost Control

• Manage mechanical maintenance budget and control costs.
• Track spending on spares, contractors, and equipment hire.
• Identify and implement cost‑saving opportunities.

Reporting & Administration

Produce:

• Mechanical maintenance reports
• Breakdown and root cause analysis reports
• Statutory inspection documentation
• Reliability KPIs (MTTR, MTBF)
• Maintain engineering document control and equipment history.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems used in mineral processing.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, and OEM documentation.
• Strong understanding of:
• Rotating machinery
• Crushers, mills, conveyors
• Hydraulics & pneumatics
• Pressure vessels & pipelines
• Condition monitoring technologies
• Understanding of MHSA requirements and statutory engineering roles.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong supervisory capability and team management.
• High safety leadership and enforcement.
• Effective communication with engineers, supervisors, artisans, and operations.
• Ability to lead under pressure during breakdowns and emergencies.
• Planning, organising, and decision‑making ability.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Requirements

• Trade Test: Mechanical Fitter / Fitter & Turner / Millwright.
• 5–8 years mechanical maintenance experience in mining or heavy industry.
• 2–3 years in a supervisory or foreman role.
• Knowledge of MHSA statutory roles.
• Valid driver's licence.

Preferred

• N6 or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
• GES training/experience (2.9.2 or 2.13 appointments).
• Experience in zinc, lead, copper, or base metal processing.
• Experience with condition monitoring (vibration, thermography, oil analysis).
• SAP/Pragma/OnKey CMMS maintenance system experience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Mechanical equipment availability & reliability.
• Compliance with MHSA and statutory requirements.
• Maintenance backlog management.
• Breakdown frequency and response time.
• Budget adherence and cost control.
• Quality of supervision and workforce performance.
• Safety performance and incident reduction.