Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Martin Chikamhi

Bull Creek,WA

Summary

Expert Mining professional with exceptional talents and experience in planning mine sites. Diligent in reviewing technical information, analyzing risks, overseeing budgets and managing compliance with regulations. Progressive in utilising new technology and following industry standards to deliver successful projects.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Mining Engineer

Paddy’s Flat
, Western
07.2021 - Current
  • My career has spanned from green field projects to operational mines, project management\ feasibility studies\life of asset engineering to operational engineering
  • Accomplished mine planning and scheduling specialist with a proven ability to develop and implement mine planning and operational strategies that align with business objectives
  • Established an operational mine through collaborating with relevant stakeholders, the mine went on to be listed on the London Stock Exchange
  • Lead the project management function for the construction of a concentrator (Platinum)
  • Lead a team contracted to provide service work and continuous miner moves for a coal mine
  • Lead the Engineering and Geological function in the establishment of a manganese mine
  • Lead mine design engineer for a consulting firm in charge of completing all LOA designs for input into Concept/pre-feasibility/feasibility studies as well as operational plans
  • Mine design
  • Mine planning
  • Scheduling
  • Materials handling
  • Constraint Management
  • Quality assurance
  • Process improvement
  • Reporting functions
  • Team leadership
  • Stakeholder liaison
  • Mine 2-4D/5D Planner / EPS
  • Deswik CAD and Scheduler
  • MS Projects, Working with a team of engineers, role involves:
  • Supervising and mentoring the team
  • Preparation of Level Extraction Plans, Stope Extraction Plans and Stope Notes
  • Preparation of Approved development designs
  • Preparation of detailed month plans and levelled 12 month rolling plans
  • Delegation and quality assurance for ring designs, charge plans, remote plans, vent plans in accordance with the month plan
  • Quarterly and budget schedules
  • Presentation of quarterly mine plans to crews
  • Leading planning team with Task Observation and leadership interactions
  • Leading the completion and maintenance of efficient and effective planning related processes and procedures
  • Leading any planning process improvements within the team
  • Working in liaison with other departments/functions to create an integrated LOM plan
  • Train the planning team in the systems and process required to run efficiently and effectively.

Senior Mining Engineer

Northern Star Resources
, Western Australia
07.2020 - 07.2021
  • Long Term Planning
  • Working with a team of planning engineers, role involves:
  • Supervising and mentoring the team
  • Quarterly and budget schedules
  • Presentation of quarterly mine plans to crews
  • Leading planning team with Task Observation and leadership interactions
  • Leading the completion and maintenance of efficient and effective planning related processes and procedures
  • Leading any planning process improvements within the team
  • Working in liaison with other departments/functions to create an integrated LOM plan
  • Train the planning team in the systems and process required to run efficiently and effectively.

Senior Mining Engineer

Glencore, Mount Isa Mines
, Queensland
02.2019 - 07.2020
  • Working with a team of scheduling engineers, role involves:
  • Supervising and mentoring the team
  • Monthly forecast for Sales and Operational Plan
  • Monthly Mine physicals and reconciliation reporting
  • Working in liaison with other departments/functions to create an integrated 12 month plan
  • Identifying and implementing improvements to existing mine planning system.
  • Mentored junior engineers by providing guidance on best practices within the field as well as sharing technical knowledge and expertise.
  • Evaluated mineral deposits to estimate mineable reserves, establishing economically viable extraction projects.
  • Optimized ventilation systems for underground mines, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing worker health and safety conditions.
  • Reduced operational costs through the implementation of innovative resource planning strategies and waste minimization techniques.
  • Streamlined project management processes to ensure timely completion of critical milestones within budget constraints.
  • Implemented continuous improvement methodologies across all aspects of mining operations, fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency within the team.
  • Improved safety performance by designing, implementing, and monitoring robust risk management protocols for underground mining operations.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive mine plans that maximized profitability and minimized environmental impacts.

Senior Mining Engineer

Glencore, Mount Isa Mines
, Queensland
03.2018 - 02.2019
  • Resource development
  • Preparation of reserve statements
  • Mining studies and due diligence activities
  • Mining cost models and financial evaluations
  • Life of mine designs and schedules
  • Taking part in the implementation of a new mine planning system.

Production/ Scheduling/ Ventilation Engineer

CMOC, North Parkes
Mines, NSW
03.2017 - 02.2018
  • Reference and integrate Life of Asset into 3 month to 24 month schedules
  • Liaise with Geotechnical, Engineering, Geology and Survey departments for detailed input into the 24 month operating plan
  • Accurately produce detailed development, drill and blast and bogging schedules addressing the 3 month schedules
  • Design of Mine Ventilation system in accordance with mining legislation
  • Periodical vent surveys
  • Ensured legislative documents for the ventilation management plan were kept up to date
  • Scheduling and monitoring daily draw call for the block cave and sublevel cave
  • Provide detailed and comprehensive knowledge and insight to the Superintendent Technical Services
  • Help formulate strategies and tactics to improve the value chain, from face to port
  • Effectively monitor progress against Monthly Operating Plan’s scheduled activities in addition to updating the working Deswik schedules
  • Produced weekly & monthly cave management and production reports with recommendations and available stock analysis.

Senior Scheduling Engineer

BHP Billiton
Olympic Dam, SA
04.2012 - 02.2017
  • Reference and integrate Mid-term Plans into 3 month schedules
  • Accurately produce detailed production mine activity schedules addressing the 3 month schedules
  • Facilitate Monthly Operating plan scheduling meetings in alignment with agreed meeting objectives
  • Accurately input data and stakeholder views to produce an integrated Monthly Operating Plan
  • Develop and maintain productive team based working relationships through demonstrating excellent communication skills to ensure the achievement of business needs in an efficient and effective manner
  • Communicate into the business buffers and stockpile statuses, escalating potential risks in a timely manner to enable the implementation of mitigation strategies
  • Actively participate in and facilitate safety meetings
  • Provide detailed and comprehensive knowledge and insight to the Operational Planning Superintendent
  • Produce Monthly reports on progress in brownfield expansion activities, including TARPs and recommendations
  • Monthly mine physicals reporting
  • Facilitate the 3 month Stope Review to ensure working EPS schedule has current and viable information
  • Effectively monitor progress against MOP scheduled activities in addition to updating the working EPS and production schedules

Mine Design Engineer

TWP Projects
Melrose, Johannesburg
01.2011 - 04.2012
  • Liaised and interacted with the client to ensure project requirements and specifications are achieved
  • Precisely marked-up designs for drafting personnel
  • Produced schedules in alignment with quality and detail standards
  • Ensured quality standards were adhered to through having work reviewed prior to being issued
  • Oversaw and ensured that all mine designs were carried out in compliance with client standards, specification documents, industry norms and legislation
  • Ensured the effective review and approval of mining design and engineering drawings
  • Proactively developed improved work practices to ensure use of new mining technologies
  • Provided mining inputs for mining feasibility studies
  • Accurately completed resource reserve statements
  • Created mine design criteria’s (MDCs) for each mining method used in the study
  • Provided method statements for sinking and development methods
  • Prepared mine designs and schedules accurately
  • Designed, planned and coordinated the life of the mine schedule
  • Designed mine layout in addition to preparing and updating the mine design model
  • Completed feasibility studies
  • Liaised with relevant departments across engineering, survey and geology in addition to mining contractors and consultants
  • Generated LOM Designs and optimised production schedules using EPS
  • Projects:
  • Mimosa Mining Company Phase VI feasibility study
  • Project valued over R10b with the objective to double production from 185Ktpm to 370Ktpm utilising open pit and underground excavations of a shallow underground platinum operation
  • Lead designer:
  • Obtained the geological block model and converting to a mining block model
  • Interrogated the block model and creating mining boundaries for pay areas
  • Designed the access and exploitation of the resource according to the mine design criteria
  • Sequenced the design to produce a simulation of the intended mining sequence
  • Exported the sequenced mine design to EPS (from Mine 2-4D) for scheduling
  • Applied modified factors (pillar loses, geological loses, planned and unplanned dilution and stope extraction to convert the resource to reserve)
  • Created fields in EPS for reporting on the stope tonnes, development meters, average grade and all other required information for the generation of a techno-financial report
  • Resourced, scheduled and optimised the resource utilisation to ensure steady production during the mine life
  • BCL
  • Project valued over R8b with the objective to increase the life of the mine with new resources and a constant production rate of 3Mtpa of a deep underground (1000m+) nickel and copper operation
  • Lead designer:
  • Obtained the geological block model and converted to a mining block model
  • Interrogated the block model and created mining boundaries for pay areas
  • Investigated suitable mining methods for different areas considering:
  • True ore body thickness
  • Rock mass quality
  • True dip of ore body
  • Equipment philosophy (mechanised or conventional)
  • Skills available (flexibility)
  • Designed the access and exploration of the resource according to mine design criteria
  • Sequenced the design to produce a simulation of the intended mining sequence
  • Exported the sequenced mine design to EPS (from Mine 2-4D for scheduling)
  • Applied modified factors (pillar loses, geological loses, planned and unplanned dilution and stope extraction to convert the resource reserve)
  • Created fields in EPS for reporting on the stope tonnes, development meters, average grade and all other information relevant for the generation of a techno-financial report
  • Resourced, scheduled and optimised the resource utilisation to ensure steady production over the mine life
  • Key Achievements
  • Successfully designed and scheduled a new extension for a nickel operation in Botswana
  • Effectively managed the feasibility study schedule for a Platinum operation in Zimbabwe
  • Successfully designed and scheduled the underground to open cut transition for a BHP Billiton coal mine life of asset project in South Africa

Project Planning Engineer

Paradigm Project Management
Germiston, Johannesburg
05.2010 - 12.2010
  • Created schedules for all projects from concept to exploitation
  • Formulated a basis for all scheduling to ensure uniformity
  • Monitored projects and progress, preparing reports including S-Curves fortnightly
  • Maintained the internal project management database
  • Projects:
  • Marropino Tantalite mine restart (Mozambique)
  • Lesego conceptual study (Limpop – greenfield platinum project)
  • Letseng upgrade (Lesotho)
  • ZRP iron ore mine (Limpopo)

Mine Planning Engineer

DRA Mineral Projects
Sunning Hill, Johannesburg
06.2008 - 12.2009
  • Performed mine planning and sequencing for UG operations through to the capital foot print
  • Production and labour build up from project to operational
  • Produced level 3 project programs for both the underground mining department and the surface beneficiation plant at Unki Platinum Mine located in Zimbabwe
  • Produced and controlled through weekly meetings, a complete schedule of all engineering requisitions and purchase orders with the status reporting highlighting indicative lead times and program impact
  • Produced a detailed level 6 program for site works tracking
  • Assisted engineering in the production of level 3 plans highlighting secondary task and input requirements
  • Integrated site subcontract construction and commissioning programmes into the site plan
  • Assisted the project site manager in the detailed interface planning of 3 week look ahead program
  • Prepared progress reports for the client
  • Reviewed site material shortages to produce site deficiency reports
  • Liaised with the Material Controller in scheduling replacement materials
  • Scheduling – work breakdown structures (WBS) for project schedules
  • Performed scheduling using MS Project, scheduling on Critical Path Project Management
  • Applied business analysis skills on all functions within the group
  • Tracked project progress for internal and external client programs and projects
  • Key Achievements:
  • Successfully managed all contractors construction schedules, skilfully completing the construction of a platinum concentrator on time and under budget

Mine Planning Engineer

Aquarella Mining, Western Cape
07.2006 - 06.2008
  • Conducted initial work at 2 greenfield sites within Madagascar and Namibia
  • Madagascar
  • Performed due diligence work, initial exploration, site evaluation, site selection, mine process plant and non-process infrastructure design and construction for a graphite mine
  • Negotiated offtake agreements based on supply chain capacity
  • Namibia
  • Performed exploratory work for developing a grid pattern for diamond (exploration) drilling of shallow manganese nodules as well as the outcropping ore body
  • Strip mining plans and schedules in addition to jig plant construction and production monitoring
  • Key Achievements:
  • Completed the initial graphite exploration work on several mineral claims, narrowing the possible initial sites to one, based on in-situ grades and logistics
  • Successfully completed construction of an access road, pilot plant, pre strip for open cut mining, office and workshop buildings within a 12 month period
  • Effectively tested the pilot plant for a month, producing 10 tonnes of 90% carbon content graphite
  • Navigated & pegged the entire company’s licenced manganese lease
  • Located and measured all manganese bearing out crops for manganese content using a portable XRF machine
  • Successfully measured the strike and dip of all outcrops with the intent of mapping out a cost effective diamond drilling pattern with the assistance of 3 geology students from the University of Namibia

Project Planner

Marshalltown, Johannesburg
03.2005 - 06.2006

Mine Foreman

Mimosa Mine
12.2003 - 01.2005

Shift Boss

Mimosa Platinum Mine
03.2003 - 12.2003

Graduate Learner

Mimosa Platinum Mine
01.2002 - 03.2003

Assistant Overseer Miner

Mimosa Mine
06.2001 - 01.2002

Education

HME (Honours Degree - Mining Engineering

University of Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe
2001

General Certificate of Education -

Gifford High School
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
1995

Skills

  • TECHNICAL SKILLS
  • Deswik CAD/IS/Scheduler and Stope Optimiser
  • MS Project scheduling
  • PS8 program / Project scheduling
  • 5D Planner/Mine 2-4D / EPS
  • Xpac planning and scheduling
  • Production management and supervision
  • PMBOK (Project management body of knowledge)
  • Theory of constraints (TOC) body of knowledge
  • MINING EXPOSURE
  • Narrow reef gold mining – Carosue Dam(Northen Star),Paddy’sFlat (West gold)
  • Project mining environments in operational platinum, gold and coal mines – South Africa
  • Project mining environments in greenfield graphite mining in Madagascar and Manganese mining in Namibia
  • Project construction and mining environment for greenfield platinum group metal mine in Zimbabwe
  • Room and pillar mining – Mimosa Platinum Mine
  • Sublevel open stoping – Zimasco (Peak Mine), BHP Olympic Dam, Mount Isa Mines
  • Block caving and sublevel caving – Shabanie Mine, NorthParkes Mines
  • Long wall mining - Matla II Coal Mine, Secunda, South Africa
  • LANGUAGES
  • English
  • Martin Chikamhi

Timeline

Senior Mining Engineer

Paddy’s Flat
07.2021 - Current

Senior Mining Engineer

Northern Star Resources
07.2020 - 07.2021

Senior Mining Engineer

Glencore, Mount Isa Mines
02.2019 - 07.2020

Senior Mining Engineer

Glencore, Mount Isa Mines
03.2018 - 02.2019

Production/ Scheduling/ Ventilation Engineer

CMOC, North Parkes
03.2017 - 02.2018

Senior Scheduling Engineer

BHP Billiton
04.2012 - 02.2017

Mine Design Engineer

TWP Projects
01.2011 - 04.2012

Project Planning Engineer

Paradigm Project Management
05.2010 - 12.2010

Mine Planning Engineer

DRA Mineral Projects
06.2008 - 12.2009

Mine Planning Engineer

Aquarella Mining, Western Cape
07.2006 - 06.2008

Project Planner

03.2005 - 06.2006

Mine Foreman

Mimosa Mine
12.2003 - 01.2005

Shift Boss

Mimosa Platinum Mine
03.2003 - 12.2003

Graduate Learner

Mimosa Platinum Mine
01.2002 - 03.2003

Assistant Overseer Miner

Mimosa Mine
06.2001 - 01.2002

HME (Honours Degree - Mining Engineering

University of Zimbabwe

General Certificate of Education -

Gifford High School

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Martin Chikamhi