ALAN Hillier
Springs
Summary
Experienced Mining Operations Professional and Mine Overseer with extensive experience in underground mining operations, production management, contract management, safety leadership, and operational planning. Proven ability to manage production functions, contractors, budgets, compliance requirements, and multidisciplinary teams within demanding mining environments. Experienced Contract Owner responsible for developing contract requirements, managing contractor compliance, monitoring contract execution, and ensuring operational objectives are achieved safely and efficiently. Strong background in executive-level engagement through active participation in EXCO meetings, strategic planning sessions, and operational review forums. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with clients, contractors, regulators, employees, and senior management. Committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, cost control, safety leadership, environmental stewardship, and quality management.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Mine Overseer
Kangra Coal
Mkhondo
01.2025 - 06.2026
- Manage underground production operations to achieve production targets while maintaining compliance with legal and company requirements.
- Lead safety, quality, environmental, and production initiatives across the area of responsibility.
- Coordinate daily operational activities, workforce deployment, equipment utilisation, and production planning.
- Conduct risk assessments, workplace inspections, audits, and incident investigations.
- Oversaw ventilation systems, gas monitoring programmes, and strata control to ensure compliance and safety.
- Compiled and presented operational, safety, and production reports to senior management for informed decision-making.
- Participate in Executive Committee (EXCO) meetings, contributing to operational planning and business decision-making.
- Contributed to strategic operational planning through EXCO participation.
- Appointed Contract Owner for operational service contracts.
- Developed contract scopes of work and contractor requirements.
- Managed contractor onboarding and compliance verification processes.
- Ensured contractor packs, legal appointments, certifications, and statutory requirements were maintained.
- Monitored contractor performance against contractual obligations and operational objectives.
- Coordinated contract execution and ensured compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.
- Managed contractor relationships, addressing and resolving operational issues to enhance performance.
- Successfully managed contractor compliance and operational execution.
- Maintained compliance with statutory and operational requirements while supporting production targets.
Mine Overseer
Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC)
04.2023 - 01.2025
- Managed underground production operations and supervised multidisciplinary mining teams.
- Ensured achievement of production targets while maintaining safety and operational standards.
- Maintained high levels of safety and operational performance.
- Controlled ventilation systems, gas management programmes, and strata control activities.
- Conducted inspections, audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations to ensure compliance and enhance safety standards.
- Collaborated in operational planning, forecasting, and resource allocation to support production efficiency and strategic goals.
- Assisted with operational planning and strategic decision-making processes.
- Supported operational planning and production optimisation initiatives.
- Oversaw management of operational mining contracts to ensure compliance and performance. for operational mining contracts.
- Managed contractor onboarding, compliance verification, and contractor performance monitoring.
- Conducted contractor compliance audits and ensured contractual obligations were fulfilled.
- Participated in contractor performance reviews and implementation of corrective actions.
- Facilitated communication between contractors, management, and operational teams to streamline operations and resolve issues.
- Contributed to executive committee meetings by providing insights on operational issues. and operational review meetings.
- Presented operational information relating to production, safety, and contractor performance.
- Successfully managed contractor compliance and contract execution.
- Assisted in developing contract requirements and scopes of work.
Training Manager
Uitkomst Colliery
01.2022 - 04.2023
- Managed the mine’s training and development function.
- Developed annual training plans aligned with departmental budgets to maximise resource allocation.
- Coordinated learnerships, artisan development programmes, and Work Integrated Learning initiatives to enhance workforce skills.
- Ensured compliance with MQA requirements and Workplace Skills Plans.
- Liaised with MQA, training providers, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Managed training records, compliance reporting, and audit requirements.
- Presented training and compliance reports to management.
- Successfully managed training budgets and compliance requirements.
- Improved training administration and reporting systems.
- Evaluated training effectiveness through feedback surveys and performance metrics, refining strategies to improve outcomes.
- Coordinated with department heads to identify training requirements, aligning development plans with business objectives.
- Maintained up-to-date records of training activities, participant progress, and certifications achieved.
- Recruited, hired and provided training for new trainers to complement workforce.
- Developed strong stakeholder relationships with regulatory bodies and service providers.
- Monitored industry trends to keep training content relevant and up-to-date.
- Analysed job roles within the organisation to develop targeted training that addresses specific competency gaps.
- Delivered tailored induction sessions for new starters, ensuring a smooth integration into the company.
Miner
Uitkomst Colliery
07.2020 - 12.2021
- Led a crew of 24 employees in underground drill-and-blast coal mining operations.
- Coordinated production activities in a fiery mine environment to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Managed production schedules to consistently meet daily and monthly production targets.
- Ensured high safety standards and operational discipline within the team, fostering a culture of safety.
- Conducted workplace examinations and ensured compliance with SOPs and safety standards.
Training Officer
Colliery Training College
Witbank
06.2017 - 07.2020
- Assessed training needs of individuals and organisations and helped set up programs to meet needs.
- Developed long-term training strategies for new and existing employees across multiple departments.
- Coordinated with department heads to identify training needs, aligning programmes with strategic goals.
- Delivered training programmes within allocated timeframes.
- Facilitated interactive workshops and seminars to enhance team collaboration and individual performance.
- Facilitated interactive workshops on customer service excellence, improving team performance significantly.
- Developed comprehensive training materials, including manuals, course notes, and multimedia visual aids.
- Collaborated with IT specialists to implement a learning management system, simplifying training administration.
- Set up and maintained virtual training portals, enabling accessible resources.
- Measured quality and effectiveness of training programmes using established methods.
- Analysed training outcomes through data-driven approaches to demonstrate return on investment to stakeholders.
- Created practice exams, exercise documents and interactive videos from older content and transferred print materials to digital.
- Worked with students in setting and achieving attainable learning goals.
- Assessed student progress to respond to additional support needs.
- Kept training data and documentation secure for full compliance.
Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
08.2014 - 06.2017
- Oversaw daily underground production activities, ensuring operational teams met targets.
- Monitored production performance against established KPIs.
- Supported Zero Harm objectives through strong safety leadership.
- Ensured compliance with safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
- Managed operational costs and resource utilisation.
- Coordinated production planning and scheduling to align with operational goals.
- Facilitated production optimisation and cost control initiatives to enhance overall efficiency.
- Conducted root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
- Improved operational performance through continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participated in management meetings and operational review sessions.
Education
Mine Overseer Certificate of Competency (Coal) - Mining
Department of Mineral Resources
01-2017
Underground Blasting Certificate - Mining
Coal Mining
01-2013
Underground Gas Testing Certificate -
Coal Mining
01-2013
Emergency Care Practitioner -
01-1999
Matric Certificate -
Vryheid High School
01-1991
Skills
- Operations Management
- Multi-Site Operational Coordination
- Production Management
- Mining Operations Leadership
- Production Planning and Scheduling
- Continuous Improvement
- Resource Allocation and Utilisation
- Performance Management
- Contract & Commercial Management
- Contract Ownership and Administration
- Contractor Management
- Contractor Compliance Management
- Scope of Work Development
- Budgeting and Cost Control
- Cost Analysis and Financial Management
- Operational Planning
- Contract Performance Monitoring
- Client & Stakeholder Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Executive Committee (EXCO) Participation
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Contractor Liaison
- Operational Reporting
- Negotiation and Communication
- Safety, Quality & Environmental Management
- Mine Health and Safety Act Compliance
- Environmental Compliance
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Incident Investigation
- Root Cause Analysis
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Auditing and Compliance Monitoring
- Leadership & People Management
- Staff Management and Development
- Labour Relations
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Team Leadership
- Training and Skills Development
- Conflict Resolution
Custom
Available on Request
Timeline
Mine Overseer
Kangra Coal
01.2025 - 06.2026
Mine Overseer
Zululand Anthracite Colliery (ZAC)
04.2023 - 01.2025
Training Manager
Uitkomst Colliery
01.2022 - 04.2023
Miner
Uitkomst Colliery
07.2020 - 12.2021
Training Officer
Colliery Training College
06.2017 - 07.2020
Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
08.2014 - 06.2017
Mine Overseer Certificate of Competency (Coal) - Mining
Department of Mineral Resources
Underground Blasting Certificate - Mining
Coal Mining
Underground Gas Testing Certificate -
Coal Mining
Emergency Care Practitioner -
Matric Certificate -
Vryheid High School