Wilbert Magwaza
Boilermaker/Plant Maintenance Supervisor/Mechanical Supervisor/SMPP Supervisor
Piccadilly,WA
Summary
Apprenticeship trained Class 1 Boilermaker with 15+ years’ international experience delivering plant maintenance and structural fabrication solutions across the mining, engineering, and industrial sectors. Demonstrates cross-functional expertise in stainless steel fabrication, field installation, plant optimisation, asset integrity, shutdown supervision, commissioning, and mechanical diagnostics, with an established history of reducing unplanned downtime, improving MTBF, and optimising CMMS workflows. Recognised for ensuring operational readiness of mechanical systems under demanding conditions, applying QA standards. Known for safety-first leadership and mentoring multicultural teams.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Maintenance Boilermaker
Specialised Engineering Services
05.2025 - Current
- Company Overview: Web: https://www.speceng.com.au/
- Fabricating stainless steel piping systems and wedge wire screen panels, ensuring dimensional accuracy and corrosion-resistant integrity per site specifications.
- Executing site installation of pre-fabricated components, maintaining alignment and structural tolerances within ±2mm.
- Attending planned shutdowns across multiple mine sites in Western Australia, completing maintenance scopes within critical path timelines.
- Collaborating with project supervisors and site engineers to coordinate sequencing, safety documentation, and QA verification prior to commissioning.
- Applying TIG/MIG welding processes on 304 and 316 stainless steel, ensuring pass rate on inspection exceeds 95%.
- Supporting the mobilisation of custom-built process equipment, achieving seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
- Maintaining compliance with job safety analyses (JSAs), permits to work, and risk assessments across varying site conditions.
- Web: https://www.speceng.com.au/
Plant Maintenance Supervisor / Boilermaker
Koidu Holdings – Octea Diamond Mine
06.2015 - Current
- Supervised mechanical maintenance operations across the diamond processing plant, reducing unplanned breakdowns by 22% year-on-year via targeted preventive regimes.
- Spearheaded plant fabrication projects with up to 400 tons of structural steel and 400m piping, adhering to 1.5mm–3mm tolerance levels and ASME/ISO standards.
- Trained 10+ local apprentices and fitters, increasing team output by 30% and reducing rework rates below 5%.
- Reduced MTTR by 18% through structured fault diagnosis and repair of carbon pipe 75NB – 600NB, crushers, screens, and slurry pumps.
- Oversaw monthly shutdowns, aligning with OEM specs and completing within 12-hour targets over 24+ consecutive events.
- Improved component traceability by implementing spares tagging in CMMS (Pragma), boosting parts retrieval speed by 40%.
- Fabricated and installed custom chutes, hoppers, and underpans for throughput increase of 200tph to 260tph.
- Ensured full compliance to safety protocols, achieving zero LTI for 2 consecutive years across day/night shifts.
- Led mechanical commissioning of gravity recovery units, pumps, and cyclones within 3-week mobilisation timelines.
Boilermaker / Team Leader
African Minerals Limited
05.2013 - 11.2014
- Company Overview: Tonkolili Iron Ore Project
- Directed steelwork fabrication and field installation during brownfields upgrade, achieving a 95% first-time pass rate on QA weld inspections.
- Reduced hydraulic leak incidents by 40% by implementing NDT testing and timely hose replacement plans.
- Fabricated, aligned, and erected over 60 support structures including conveyor gantries, platforms, and motor bases.
- Participated in erection of new iron ore screening plant with zero delay incidents and seamless utility tie-ins.
- Restored serviceability of CAT earthmoving fleet via tank, chute, and belly plate refurbishments under tight timeframes.
- Optimised pipe routing for dewatering systems, reducing material waste by 12% and improving flow rates.
- Drafted daily job safety analyses (JSAs) and toolbox talks, reinforcing a proactive safety culture site-wide.
- Coordinated fabrication of skids and handrails to ASTM specs within ±2mm tolerances.
- Led commissioning support for crushing plant upgrades across three modules within 10 weeks.
- Tonkolili Iron Ore Project
Boilermaker / Pipefitter
Assmang Khumani Iron Ore Mine
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Company Overview: Northern Cape, South Africa
- Delivered piping fabrication and installation across slurry and process water lines (DN100–DN450), using isometric drawings and pressure testing at 10–20 bar.
- Installed steel structures and brackets for plant conveyors, completed within 8-day shutdowns and validated by structural engineers.
- Interpreted GA and P&ID drawings to build mechanical systems with dimensional accuracy within ±1.5mm.
- Prepped and installed flanged connections with gasket selection based on system pressure and temperature ratings.
- Supported commissioning of slurry pumps and hydrocyclone units, verifying mechanical integrity and alignment.
- Assisted welders in positional welds and ensured compliance with QS standards.
- Implemented permit-to-work procedures during confined space operations and hot work.
- Inspected fabrication quality using visual, dimensional, and NDT techniques pre-handover.
- Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams including riggers and electricians for seamless integration.
- Northern Cape, South Africa
Boilermaker
Caxton Printers
03.2012 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: South Africa
- Executed mechanical installation of packaging lines, conveyors, and steel frames during facility expansion.
- Assembled machine stands, cable racking, and bearing housings to 1mm flatness tolerances.
- Maintained mechanical components of folding, binding, and printing units, improving OEE by 15%.
- Fabricated ducting, guards, and brackets from galvanised and stainless steel.
- Delivered maintenance services on hydraulic clamps and feeder mechanisms.
- South Africa
Boilermaker
Weir Minerals
12.2011 - 02.2012
Boilermaker
Global Mining and Engineering
07.2011 - 10.2011
- Company Overview: Lumwana Mine Zambia
- Lumwana Mine Zambia
Boilermaker
Wise Design Africa
12.2010 - 06.2011
- Company Overview: Ambatovy Minerals Madagascar
- Ambatovy Minerals Madagascar
Boilermaker
Redis construction Africa
06.2010 - 12.2010
Boilermaker
Brokrew
01.2009 - 05.2010
- Company Overview: Kairos Group
- Kairos Group
Education
ATTC (TRA) Certificate - undefined
Metal Fabricator
01.2024
Advanced Diploma - Plant Engineering
EIT
01.2021
Certificate - Construction Management
UCT
01.2020
PMP - undefined
Project Management Institute
01.2018
National Craft - Metal Fabrication
Bulawayo Polytechnic College
01.2007
Skills
- Preventative & Corrective Maintenance
- CMMS
- Maintenance Planning
- Heavy Fabrication
- Steelwork
- Plant Equipment Installation
- Fault Finding
- Root Cause Analysis
- Piping
- Valves
- Pressure Systems
- Welding (MIG, TIG, SMAW, FCAW)
- Workshop Management
- Supervision
- Commissioning
- Plant Optimisation
- Safety Compliance (LOTO, JSA, PTW)
- Structural Drawings
- Isometrics
- Mining
- Process Plant Support
- Stainless Steel Pipe Fabrication
- Shutdown
- Field Installation
- Screen Panel Welding
- Repairs
- Wedge Wire Fabrication
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Leadership
- Attention to Detail
Equipment Worked On
- Volvo CAT Loaders
- CAT Dump Truck
- Volvo, Komatsu Dump Trucks
- Sandvik Drill Rigs Surface & Underground
- CAT and BOB Excavators
- Sandvik Underground Loaders
- Sandvik/Metso Jaw Crushers
- Chutes
- Sandvik/Metso Cone Crushers
- Weir/ Cavex/ Multotec Cyclones
- Vibramech Feeders
- Valves
- Tanks
- Gravity Separators
- Conveyors
- Malvern Magnetic Separators
Personal Information
Title: Metal Fabricator
Timeline
Plant Maintenance Boilermaker
Specialised Engineering Services
05.2025 - Current
Plant Maintenance Supervisor / Boilermaker
Koidu Holdings – Octea Diamond Mine
06.2015 - Current
Boilermaker / Team Leader
African Minerals Limited
05.2013 - 11.2014
Boilermaker / Pipefitter
Assmang Khumani Iron Ore Mine
01.2013 - 05.2013
Boilermaker
Caxton Printers
03.2012 - 12.2012
Boilermaker
Weir Minerals
12.2011 - 02.2012
Boilermaker
Global Mining and Engineering
07.2011 - 10.2011
Boilermaker
Wise Design Africa
12.2010 - 06.2011
Boilermaker
Redis construction Africa
06.2010 - 12.2010
Boilermaker
Brokrew
01.2009 - 05.2010
ATTC (TRA) Certificate - undefined
Metal Fabricator
Advanced Diploma - Plant Engineering
EIT
Certificate - Construction Management
UCT
PMP - undefined
Project Management Institute
National Craft - Metal Fabrication
Bulawayo Polytechnic College
Similar Profiles
REGINA CIRUELOSREGINA CIRUELOS
Receptionist/ Admin Support at Specialised Engineering ServicesReceptionist/ Admin Support at Specialised Engineering Services
Geoffrey ParkesGeoffrey Parkes
Owner/Developer at Specialised CNC EngineeringOwner/Developer at Specialised CNC Engineering
Sandhya MolSandhya Mol
Secretary Cum Admin Assistant at Specialised Engineering ConsultantsSecretary Cum Admin Assistant at Specialised Engineering Consultants
WILFRED L. CABILUNAWILFRED L. CABILUNA
Boilermaker/Mig welder at HarlsanBoilermaker/Mig welder at Harlsan
Tarjit SinghTarjit Singh
Technician at Goldfields ToyotaTechnician at Goldfields Toyota