Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
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Didier Mafasho

Baldivis

Summary

Results-driven and innovative mining engineer with over a decade of experience in technical services roles within open pit mining environments. Skilled in short-term mine planning, execution, mine design, and drill & blast technical operations. Recognized for spearheading data-driven efficiency improvement initiatives in production and planning processes. Adaptable Lean Six Sigma trained problem solver, adept at leading technical assistance in large-scale mining operations. Proficient in safe and efficient mine operations planning and execution, mine design and drill & blast engineering, Fleet Management Systems (FMS), mine planning and reporting systems design, advanced data analytics, budgets and financial modeling, as well as projects planning and controls.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Mine Planning Engineer (Short Term)

Northern Star Resources (NSR)
04.2022 - 09.2024
  • Company Overview: NSR is a Global scale gold producer with a world class portfolio of assets including the Iconic KCGM. NSR is aiming to produce 2Moz / year by 2026 & KCGM expansion is a cornerstone of this growth strategy.
  • Reporting to the Technical Services Superintendent, key deliverables in this role include the development & execution of optimized weekly (2WP) & daily mine plans & schedules including all short-term mine design requirements
  • Leading the development & distribution of a detailed 2-week schedules & operational designs for 5x800-ton shovels & 2x400-ton excavators, 13xdrill rigs as well as Ground Support, Grade Control & ancillary equipment.
  • Facilitate the execution & compliance to schedule for the 2WP by leading the provision of timely technical assistance to operations, providing safe bench accesses, blast masters & mining sequences in line with efficient bench turnover.
  • Communicate with all stakeholders & take a lead role in pre-emptively resolving & managing issues & risks that may affect plans; Lead & facilitate Task based Risk Assessments (TBRAs) & participate in ICAM incident investigations.
  • Responsible for designing, uploading & maintaining accurate design files in Wenco FMS & the provision of clear Mine Work Instructions (MWI) to Supervisors, as well as issuing Traffic & Interaction Management plans
  • Review & sign-off on all D&B designs including compliance to design & safety checks. Train & coach junior & graduate mining engineers within the scope of the short-term planning team deliverables
  • Key Contributions
  • Generated $3.4M in annual drilling costs savings (drilling contractor) by driving efficiencies in drill floor clean ups & realigning drilling, blasting & mining sequences, which resulted in a 64% reduction in drill stand by hours
  • Developed an automated, Tactical Shift Haul Truck Assignment report detailing intra shift Shovel Loading profiles to assist Dispatch teams in optimizing truck coverage for maximum productivity (Truck constrained operation)
  • Developed an integrated & automated 24hr Mine Operations Planning system (MS Excel) which provided a greater level of instructions to Supervisors, significantly improving bench turnover rates by reducing operational reworks
  • Spearheaded significant improvements in the weekly plan deliverables, with detailed & structured 3-D visual representations & descriptions which enhanced execution as well as production stakeholders’ engagement & buy in
  • Developed & rolled out clear & detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) such as the No Dig Lines (NDL) SOP for mining Supervisors, streamlining the safe activation & deactivation of restricted dig zones in Wenco FMS

Mining Engineer

Macmahon Contractors
05.2021 - 10.2021
  • Company Overview: Macmahon is a leading Mine Services Organization providing the full range of Technical & Production Services including Planning, Drill & Blast as well as Load & Haul at Dacian Gold’s Mt Morgans, a 120koz multi pits OP Gold operation.
  • Reporting to the Senior Mining Engineer, the role is accountable for the delivery of the Daily, Weekly scheduling & execution, production reporting & Drill & Blast engineering as well as coaching graduate mining engineers:
  • Develop, distribute & execute weekly mining schedules for 4x250 ton dig units, 17 x 130-ton haul trucks, ensuring the material extraction sequences within 4 active pits are optimised and in line with the monthly plan.
  • Develop & distribute the weekly drilling, loading & blasting schedules for 11 x T45 Top hammer drills & provide tactical pit dewatering plans with a view to de-risk plan with in-pit water ingress.
  • Designing & timely distribution of cost-effective drill patterns designs & charging sheets as well as Tie-in & firing plans which minimised ore dilution within challenging ore / bench geometries.
  • Accountable for the delivery of the 36hrs mine operations Plan, providing technical assistance to Production Supervisors as well as assisting & coaching graduate mining engineers within Planning & D&B functions.

Mining Engineer

Downer Group
01.2020 - 04.2020
  • Company Overview: Downer Mining is a Tier 1 Mine Contracting business & provided safe & efficient mining engineering, planning, Drill & blast as well as Load & haul services to Gruyere Mine Joint Venture (GJV), a 300 Koz per annum Gold Operation
  • Reporting to the Senior Mining Engineer, this is a fast paced, multifunctional role accountable for the delivery of Daily & Weekly schedules, D&B engineering as well as Production reporting & managing the Wenco FMS:
  • Developing & distribution of the weekly Load & Haul (L&H) plans & sequences for 3 x 400-ton excavators & a fleet of 14 x 230-ton Haul Trucks, in line with Client’s Monthly Plan volumes, grades & key development targets
  • Develop & distribute the weekly drilling schedules for 8 x drills (3xDML, 1xMD6250, 3xD65 & 1xPantera) & blasting sequences as well as pit dewatering schedules consistent with a dynamic ore & waste extraction plan.
  • Design & distribute blast patterns, Tie-In plans & Charging sheets (Shot Plus), taking into account highly variable geological domains & structures to minimize ore dilution & achieve desired blast outcomes.
  • Facilitate the 36hr mine operations planning meeting, liaise with & provide technical guidance to Production Supervisors to ensure compliance to plan and treats to the plan are proactively identified & mitigated.
  • Validate & compile L&H and D&B data, distribute the Daily & Weekly Production reports, upload & activate designs, pit flitches, surfaces & drill pattern files in Wenco FMS as well as resolve & troubleshoot FMS systems
  • Key contributions:
  • Spearheaded the Weekly Pre-Planning meetings to present & outline key mining sequences, constraints & risks to plan which increased the Client’s team as well as Production teams engagement & buy in
  • Conducted a D&B optimization study, trialing various Drill pattern & loading parameters which significantly improved floor conditions & fragmentation results, as well as markedly improved wall control shots outcomes.
  • 3-month secondment to Eliwana Mine greenfield Project: Developed & deployed automated & future proof (gradual ramp up) Machine Performance reporting tools in line with the Client’s contractual requirements

Production Engineer

Rio Tinto Iron Ore
07.2019 - 12.2019
  • Company Overview: Rio Tinto is one of the largest Iron ore producers & operates the Greater Tom Price hub, comprising of 3 separate operations: Tom Price, Western Turner Syncline & Brockman 1 deposits with a combined capacity of 90+Mt per year.
  • Reporting to the Senior Production Engineer, key accountabilities included:
  • Assisted Production Superintendents & Supervisors in the safe & efficient execution of the weekly production plan & ensured risks to the plan are mitigated & contingencies are actioned.
  • Compile, reconcile & distribute daily & weekly production data & reports ensuring source-data from platforms such as Operational Reporting Database Warehouse (ORDW) and Modular Dispatch reports are consistent.
  • Conduct statistical analysis & compile key production metrics (rolling 3-month averages) for primary production equipment parameters to incorporate in the Quarterly plan development.
  • Key contributions
  • Developed advanced near real time Power BI Dashboards (x3) which visually highlights key production metrics allowing intra-shift Interval Control (SIC) & provide 24 hours & weekly production summaries.
  • Developed an interactive tool (MS Excel) performing detailed ancillary equipment costs forecasts (2020-24) with selectable utilization improvement options with the objective of minimizing equipment hiring costs.

Operational Readiness Engineer

Fortescue Metals Group
11.2018 - 07.2019
  • Company Overview: FMGL is the 4th largest iron producer worldwide and owns & operate the Solomon Mine with 70+ driverless trucks moving approximately 140Mt of material per year.
  • Reporting to the Mine Development Superintendent, responsibilities included the execution & performance tracking of key infrastructure & development works requirements & projects in line with the 3-Month to 2-Year Plan horizon:
  • Undertake & issue mine infrastructure designs such as access tracks, Light Vehicle car parks & Go line layout designs compliant with applicable design standards & Traffic Management Plans
  • Develop detailed project plans (MS Project) & project costings for infrastructure development for a brownfield mining project (Valley of Queens start-up pit)
  • Work closely with Mine Coordinators to implement designs & coordinate the delivery & installation of associated infrastructure such as access tracks, HV, LV workshops, Crib facilities, water supply & communications network.
  • Key Contribution:
  • Developed an integrated & automated Development works scheduling & tracking tool (MS Excel) with a daily Performance report which facilitates decision making on priority development works & ancillary crushing.
  • Developed a Mobile Crusher production simulation tool & costing model involving 3 x mobile crushing circuits with several stockpiling scenarios & multiple constraints such as variable Primary hopper feed time windows.

Performance Assurance Engineer

Modular Mining Systems
04.2018 - 11.2018
  • Company Overview: MMS is part of Komatsu group of companies and a global leader in real time mine management systems since 1979, offering a complete line up of dispatch, autonomous haulage, and maintenance software solutions.
  • Reporting to the Performance Assurance Manager, key responsibilities include:
  • Partnering with site production teams in delivering L&H operational improvement projects including Assisted Dispatch Operations as well as developing dispatch centred L&H processes & data visualisation tools
  • Undertake extensive operational data querying & analysis using tools such as SQL Studio M, Tableau, Power BI & MS Excel to draw operational improvement insights for clients with large mining fleets.
  • Develop complex L&H performance benchmarks such as Dig units Costs Curves, conduct detailed Client’s Dispatch system analysis & review to improve key parameters such as Time Usage Model (TUM) configuration.
  • Developed SQL server reports such as operator compliance (wrong loading & dump locations) as well as assisting in establishing Dispatch automated assignments functions including fueling, shift change & park ups.
  • Collaborated with George Fisher operations team (UG) to develop a suite of Power BI KPI Reports, leveraging the newly installed Dispatch UG FMS & SQL database, which contributed to optimized Stope turnaround times.
  • Key project:
  • Worked closely with site based dispatch teams to conduct a 4-week L&H optimization project for a large operation (75+ Truck fleet & 8 loading units) which increased total material moved by 14% while significantly reducing queue & hang times

Project Coordinator

NSW Treasury
10.2017 - 03.2018
  • Company Overview: The NSW Treasury is responsible for managing the State’s finances and assets including performance monitoring for commercial agencies as well as developing the NSW Government financial strategy.
  • Reporting to the Program Director – Financial Management Transformation Program, key responsibilities included:
  • Working with Business Unit Senior Stakeholders as well as external Consultants to define Future State vs current State Budget processes (Visio) & establish a 2-phase project implementation strategy.
  • Undertake a detailed analysis (MS Excel) of large transactional Prime datasets (Hyperion Budget Management System) and perform a gap analysis on budget cycle processes and performance; &
  • Facilitating risks & issues & project planning workshops with Business Unit Managers & FMT Optimisation teams as well as providing weekly and monthly project & program level status reports
  • Key Contributions:
  • Developed integrated project schedules (MS Project) with multiple dependencies, concurrently delivering an Operational Improvement (Policy & Process) stream and a Systems Optimization (Prime platform) component.
  • Designed & deployed automated project schedules (MS Excel) for ad hoc projects such as Data Analytics Centre (DAC) Onboarding Project (hardware, software and phased teams’ redeployment)

Senior Projects Analyst

Transport for NSW
07.2015 - 07.2017
  • Company Overview: Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is the leading organisation in the development, planning, and delivery of safe, integrated and customer centred transport infrastructure systems across the state of NSW.
  • Reporting to the Manager - Construction Capital Projects, key responsibilities included:
  • Compiling monthly and quarterly major project performance reports for Senior Transport Executive, monitoring KPI’s such as construction baseline schedule variances & quantitative risk analysis forecasts.
  • Providing critical insights & analysis into Investments Approval Committees on stage gate assurance reviews of in-delivery projects
  • Partnering with project delivery teams to develop capital budgets forecasts for Road & Rail portfolios
  • Key Contributions:
  • Developed a streamlined project controls & performance dashboard system (MS Excel) for Tier-1 projects with multi-dependent contract packages such as the Sydney Light Rail project (construction & rolling stock); &
  • Developed cross-divisional reporting process maps, detailing reporting inputs, requirements and timelines, which increased efficiency, accuracy & relevance in project risk & performance reporting processes.

Project Analyst

Transport for NSW
07.2015 - 07.2016
  • Reporting to the Principal Manager - ICT Project Delivery office, key responsibilities included
  • Engaging with key business unit Senior Managers & Stakeholders whilst designing & implementing improved business systems & processes to ensuring buy-in on process changes.
  • Developing streamlined & automated data management systems and project governance tools used across the Strategic Reform Projects Portfolio as part of the Project Management Office’ Centre of Excellence; &
  • Compiling a quarterly strategic report on project costs & benefits from various business units, outlining key project performance metrics & risks
  • Key Contributions:
  • Designed & implemented a streamlined and integrated project status reporting system (MS Excel) to automate data uploads and improve key project metrics visibility (such as project resources usage); &
  • Designed an interactive, automated project benefits profile & dependency network diagram (MS Excel) to assist Project Managers to consistently align project deliverables with the organization’s strategic objectives.

Graduate Mining Engineer

Peabody Energy
01.2013 - 03.2015
  • Company Overview: Peabody Energy was one of the largest, publicly listed coal company in the world with operations across the US & Australia and serves metallurgical & thermal coal products to customers around the world.
  • Continuous Improvement (CI) Specialist, Wilpinjong Coal Mine (OP), NSW (Nov 14’ – Mar 15’)
  • Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Manager, key responsibilities included:
  • Researching, identifying, planning & executing business improvement projects as part of a cross functional team delivering an enterprise-wide continuous improvement program ($150M+ in costs savings)
  • Utilizing Lean Six Sigma processes such as DMAIC & data analytics (MS Excel) to evaluate & transform complex datasets (Jmineops Fleet dispatch system, SQL, SAP) into key actionable metrics, trends & benchmarks.
  • Performing detailed financial & technical feasibility evaluations of potential improvement projects, formally presenting business cases to Senior Management for endorsement
  • Key project:
  • Excavator fleet productivity improvement, value: $15M in cost savings & additional coal sales revenues per annum
  • Increased the productivity of 5 x Liebherr 9400 excavators through a detailed Load & Haul (L&H) volumetric analysis, statistically modelling design & selection criteria for maximum productivity:
  • Designed a suite of VBA scripted MS Excel applications used in live data collection to simulate L&H cycles with several variable production parameters.
  • Developed a Monte Carlo Simulation model to establish the overloading risk profile with the gradual increase in bucket payload which is constrained by the loading unit’ OEM recommended RSL (Rated Suspended Load)
  • Performed a Long-Term Load & Haul cycle analysis to determine the haul truck fleet requirements under a range of Long Term mine plan scenarios v. loading tool capacities.

Drill & Blast Engineer (Secondment) & Production Crew operator

Peabody Energy
01.2014 - 11.2014
  • Reporting to the Technical Services Manager, key responsibilities included:
  • Provided a 12-week drilling (3 rotary & 2 top hammer drills), loading & blasting schedules in line with a dynamic dig & dozer push inventory requirement for 5 Liebherr 9400, 2 CAT994K wheel loaders & 10 CAT D11 dozers.
  • Design & distribute drill patterns (Coal, parting, overburden & box cut blasts), blast exclusion zones, charging (MS Excel) & blasts firing (Blast Plan) plans & upload Machine guidance files in Jigsaw dispatch system.
  • Daily accounting & bookkeeping of magazine inventories, monthly forecasting & procurement of explosives supplies as well as compiling D&B reconciliation reports.
  • Key Contributions:
  • Engaged & facilitated the blast crew to adopt operational best practice by consistently dewatering & recording QA hole parameters for accurate explosives loading, resulting in a 30% reduction of wet bulk explosives usage.
  • 3-month Secondment on Mine Production crews as part of the Graduate development program, safely & effectively operating CAT789 Rear Dump Trucks

Cadet Mining Engineer

KRC Mining Consultants
11.2011 - 08.2012
  • Company Overview: KRC Mining Consultants (Now Cement & Aggregate consulting) is a boutique consulting firm specializing in mining & quarry operations, providing mine planning & improvement services to a range of clients.
  • Secondment to Wambo Coal Mine (OP), NSW & Penrice Limestone Quarry, SA
  • Reporting to the Technical Services Superintendent – Consulting, responsibilities were inclusive of but not limited to:
  • Wambo Coal Mine: Assisting in the provision of short term mine schedules, compiling Production data & issuing Daily & Weekly reports.
  • Penrice Limestone Quarry Project: Assisting in the provision of weekly to quarterly production & pit development designs & equipment scheduling to meet grades and tonnages forecasts.
  • Compiling monthly productivity, payload & fleet management raw data analysis (MS Excel & MS Access) as well as providing detailed equipment performance dashboard reports with productivity improvement recommendations

Mining Engineering Intern

Crosslands Resources
11.2010 - 02.2011
  • Company Overview: Crossland’s Resources is a mid-tier Iron ore producer subsidiary of Mitsubishi Developments and owns and operate the Jack Hills Iron ore (2mtpa) and its adjacent expansion projects.
  • Jack Hills Iron Ore Mine (OP), WA
  • Internship primarily focused on acquiring practical hands-on experience within mining production & survey operations as well as assisting technical services personnel across various technical areas. Responsibilities included:
  • Blast crew laborer involved in all blasting operations: dipping, priming up and loading blast holes, tying shots, blast initiation and firing, post blast inspections and explosives magazine inventories.
  • Alternate surveyor duties include setting up a Trimble GPS Survey system, marking out drill patterns, loading blast hole pick up surveys, stakeout pit design control points and providing blasted ore delineations prior to digging.

Education

Bachelor of Mining & Mineral Engineering -

University of Wollongong
12.2012

Skills

  • Strong work ethic and safety awareness
  • Excel SQL MS Project Deswik Vulcan Surpac Shot Plus Power BI Tableau Wenco & Dispatch FMS

Certification

  • Leadership Insights – Northern Star Resources (KCGM), Kalgoorlie, WA Mar 2024
  • Basic Investigation Training – Northern Star, Kalgoorlie, WA Aug 2023
  • Provide First Aid Course (HLTAID009,010,011) - St John, Kalgoorlie, WA Jan 2023
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program - University of Technology Sydney, NSW Nov 2015

Hobbies and Interests

  • Digital photography
  • Documentaries, movies & books
  • Family travels & outdoors

Timeline

Mine Planning Engineer (Short Term)

Northern Star Resources (NSR)
04.2022 - 09.2024

Mining Engineer

Macmahon Contractors
05.2021 - 10.2021

Mining Engineer

Downer Group
01.2020 - 04.2020

Production Engineer

Rio Tinto Iron Ore
07.2019 - 12.2019

Operational Readiness Engineer

Fortescue Metals Group
11.2018 - 07.2019

Performance Assurance Engineer

Modular Mining Systems
04.2018 - 11.2018

Project Coordinator

NSW Treasury
10.2017 - 03.2018

Senior Projects Analyst

Transport for NSW
07.2015 - 07.2017

Project Analyst

Transport for NSW
07.2015 - 07.2016

Drill & Blast Engineer (Secondment) & Production Crew operator

Peabody Energy
01.2014 - 11.2014

Graduate Mining Engineer

Peabody Energy
01.2013 - 03.2015

Cadet Mining Engineer

KRC Mining Consultants
11.2011 - 08.2012

Mining Engineering Intern

Crosslands Resources
11.2010 - 02.2011

Bachelor of Mining & Mineral Engineering -

University of Wollongong

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Didier Mafasho