Donovan De Ponte
Mining Engineer
Moranbah,QLD
Summary
Experienced Mining Engineer with extensive expertise in both production and consulting across various commodities. Over the past 8 years, held multiple roles in production, building goal-driven teams focused on exceeding targets safely and efficiently. Specialized in operational management, risk management, and strategy as a consultant to help organizations enhance their operations. Proven track record of delivering successful projects and surpassing client expectations, providing solutions that enable clients to achieve their objectives. Interests include business economics, valuations, financial analysis, operations management, risk management, strategic and tactical planning, data analysis, innovation, and technology
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Mining Engineer
Anglo American
5 2023 - Current
- Responsible for the 0-18 Month plan in order to manage, evaluate and provide detailed mine plans and schedules that maximize the mineral assets and that align with the business objectives for both the Longwall and Development
- Liaised with operations to ensure that mine designs and production schedules are achievable.
- Performance analysis and reconciliation to ensure the validity of planning assumptions along with the validity of the resource and reserve models.
Managing consultant
Marsh Mclennan
09.2021 - 04.2023
- Spearheaded the Marsh Advisory Mining Team for Africa, overseeing teams of consultants in delivering high-quality property risk solutions tailored to the mining industry.
- Directed all phases of consulting engagements from initial discussions and needs assessments to the development and implementation of customized solutions.
- Conducted comprehensive research, data analysis, and developed actionable recommendations to enhance clients' risk profiles.
- Successfully developed the Marsh Risk Ranking Tool, enabling benchmarking of clients to insurers and identifying key areas for risk profile improvement.
- Secured acceptance of the Marsh Risk Report from key international insurers, validating the tool's effectiveness.
- Achieved procurement of underground cover for a high-risk client, previously deemed uninsurable, by demonstrating improved risk management strategies.
Mining Engineer - Mine Analyst
Rio Tinto
02.2021 - 08.2021
- Responsible for short and medium-term planning in order to manage, evaluate and provide detailed mine plans and schedules that maximize the mineral assets and that align with the business objectives
- Provided guidance to the business on upcoming capital and project requirements for mine expansion options
- Duties included reserve estimation and reporting in accordance with Rio Tinto and regulatory requirements
- Liaised with operations to ensure that mine designs and production schedules are achievable
- Performance analysis and reconciliation to ensure the validity of planning assumptions along with the validity of the resource and reserve models.
Mine Overseer
Anglo American
07.2020 - 01.2021
- Appointed under Minerals Act Regulation 2.14.1
- Responsible to lead, control and motivate the people to ensure that all Safety, Health, Environmental and Production targets are met.
- Carried out the plan and ensured overall section operational effectiveness in the achievement of production targets
- Ensure all personnel are adhering to all legislative requirements, codes of practice and standard operating procedures are being adhered to
- Mine planning and scheduling were also conducted to draft mine plans based on the geological data and equipment available
- Involved in the successful delivery of a number of projects from the concept phase through to implementation, this included: assessing risks throughout each stage, managing contractors and suppliers as well as ensuring timelines and budgets were kept
- Successfully lead the 1st and 2nd best CM (Continuous Miner), bord and pillar production sections in South Africa for 2020
- Achieving a million scratch-free tons.
Shift Overseer
Anglo American
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Appointed under Minerals Act Regulation 2.15.1
- Inspecting sections daily to identify and respond to risks and hazards related to SHE
- Planning and tracking weekly and monthly production activities
- Lead, organised and controlled all production activities to achieve production and targets.
- Managing section budget and supplies
- Key Accomplishments: Successfully lead the 2nd and 3rd best CM (Continuous Miner), bord and pillar production sections in South Africa for 2019
- Both achieving a million scratch free tons.
Mining Engineer PIT
Anglo American
01.2017 - 07.2019
- Completed the Anglo American Graduate Program and gain exposre to various departments and roles across production and technical services
- Key Accomplishments: Anglo PIT Project Award (Increasing the DOH of Greenside Colliery to Reach p101)
Education
Management Development Program -
UKZN
Anglo American Achiever Programme 15 -
Gordon Institute of Business Science
2019
Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering - undefined
University of Pretoria
Postgraduate Diploma - Ventilation Engineering
UNSW
04.2001 -
Skills
Team Management & Leadership
Problem-solving and analysis
Risk Management
Surpac, MineShed, XPac, MinePlanner and CAD
Ms Office
Underground mining
Equipment Selection
Client management
Data Analytics
Problem-Solving
Strategic Planning
Analytical Thinking
Forecasting and Reporting
Certification
Mine Managers Certificate of Competency, DMRE, 2022
Associations
- ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa)
- SAIMM (South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy)
- SACMA (South African Colliery Managers Association)
Awards
- Best Final Year Research Thesis Award (Mining Engineering)
- Best Final Year Student Award (SACMA)
- Anglo PIT Project Award (Increasing the DOH of Greenside Colliery to Reach p101)
Volunteer Experience
- Yebo Youth Centre, 2017, 2021, Contributing to student’s educational advancement through tutoring and mentoring
- Burgher Right Primary school, 2015, Assisted in upgrading and fixing the schools’ infrastructure to ensure a better schooling experience for the students
Affiliations
SAIMM
AUSIMM
ECSA
Timeline
Managing consultant
Marsh Mclennan
09.2021 - 04.2023
Mining Engineer - Mine Analyst
Rio Tinto
02.2021 - 08.2021
Mine Overseer
Anglo American
07.2020 - 01.2021
Shift Overseer
Anglo American
08.2019 - 07.2020
Mining Engineer PIT
Anglo American
01.2017 - 07.2019
Postgraduate Diploma - Ventilation Engineering
UNSW
04.2001 -
Mining Engineer
Anglo American
5 2023 - Current
Management Development Program -
UKZN
Anglo American Achiever Programme 15 -
Gordon Institute of Business Science
Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering - undefined
University of Pretoria
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