Nhlalala Chauke
Mining Engineer
Kriel
Summary
Management professional with focus on operational excellence and team leadership. Recognized for fostering collaborative environments and driving results through strategic planning. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic settings, coupled with strong decision-making and conflict resolution skills.
Overview
5
5
Certifications
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
Secunda
12.2025 - Current
- Lead underground operations and hold legal responsibility for mining activities.
- Drive production, safety, quality and cost objectives.
- Improved safety performance, reduced costs and increased production volumes.
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and operational standards.
- Managed workflow processes, enhancing efficiency across mining activities.
- Led performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to team members for continuous improvement.
- Implemented safety protocols to maintain a secure work environment, reducing workplace accidents significantly.
- Enhanced team productivity through effective delegation and clear goal-setting for all employees.
- Trained new employees to learn new systems, apply best practices and comply with protocols and regulations.
Production Shiftboss
Sasol Mining
12.2022 - Current
- Supervised underground mining crews, ensuring safe and efficient production activities.
- Conducted workplace inspections and risk assessments to identify hazards and enhance safety protocols.
- Conduct workplace inspections and risk assessments.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, fostering collaboration among team members to maintain high productivity.
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
06.2025 - 07.2025
- Managed Blasting team and processes.
- Start of Day Preparation
- Checked Shift Communication Log book for any problems reported and special instructions that need to be addressed.
- Determined material allocations based on the BOM.
- Verified materials, consumables and explosives orders.
- Monitored Seismic Activity Report and communicated to the Mining teams.
- Verified that the Gas Testing procedure has been complied with.
- Verified statutory and daily examinations records.
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
02.2025 - 03.2025
- Improved safety performance by strengthening workplace discipline, enhancing hazard identification practices, and promoting a proactive safety culture
- Improved underground road conditions, addressing slippery and unsafe areas that previously impacted vehicle mobility and equipment performance, thereby improving cycle times and
reducing risk. - Reduced operating costs through tighter resource control, optimized planning, and eliminating wasteful practices
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
07.2024 - 07.2024
- Developed training programs for new staff, fostering a culture of safety and productivity.
- Implemented process improvements that reduced operational downtime and increased output reliability.
- Conducted regular inspections to identify potential hazards and mitigate risks in the work environment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline communication and enhance project execution timelines.
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
07.2023 - 10.2023
- Writing month end report.
- Managed others.
- Achieved safety and risk objectives.
- Planned, organized, controlled and reported own work.
- Ensure work was completed as planned.
- Policies, practices, standards, procedures and methods: application and compliance.
- Reviewed compliance and followed up against the standards and objectives.
Miner
Sasol Mining
03.2022 - 11.2022
- Implemented safety protocols, reducing workplace incidents and promoting a culture of safety compliance.
- Maintained excellent communication within the team to ensure smooth coordination of activities across various sections of the mine site.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills by identifying issues before they escalated into larger problems while maintaining a safe working environment.
- Served as a liaison between different departments such as geology, engineering, and administration for streamlined information sharing.
- Adhered to company policies and regulations, maintaining a strong safety record throughout the course of employment.
Learner Miner
Thungela Greenside Colliery
10.2020 - 11.2021
- Optimized drilling operations for increased productivity and reduced equipment downtime.
- Assisted in mine design development by analyzing geological data and evaluating technical feasibility.
- Followed safety guides and signals to prevent injuries or accidents.
- Read and interpreted technical documents and effectively adhered to written instructions to maintain quality standards.
Learner Miner
Universal Coal NCC Mine
12.2018 - 05.2019
- Collaborated with team members on complex projects, ensuring timely completion of tasks and high-quality results.
- Loaded, set and detonated explosives to produce desired blasting patterns.
- Performed regular equipment checks to ensure optimal functionality, prolonging its lifespan as well as reducing maintenance costs.
- Reduced environmental impact through the implementation of sustainable mining practices and waste management strategies.
Mining Learner
Village Main Reef
11.2015 - 01.2017
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Risk Management (Candidate)
UNISA
Postgraduate Diploma - Energy Leadership
Wits Business School
01-2021
BSc (Hons) - Mining Engineering
University of The Witwatersrand
01-2018
Skills
Safety policies and procedures
Planning and scheduling
Critical thinking
Safety oversight
Project management
Mine Design
Accomplishments
- Improved safety performance through stronger hazard identification and workplace discipline.
- Reduced operating costs through improved planning and resource management.
- Successfully relocated a mining section into a challenging area without incidents.
- Contributed to Thubelisha's Stonework Department achieving Best Overall Stonework in Sasol Mining for 11 consecutive months.
- Supported production targets while maintaining a zero-harm culture.
Leadership Experience
Wits All Residence Council Secretary General
Johannesburg Development Agency Student Safety Committee Chairperson
Certification
Mine Overseer Certificate of Competency
Timeline
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
12.2025 - Current
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
06.2025 - 07.2025
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
02.2025 - 03.2025
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
07.2024 - 07.2024
Acting Mine Overseer
Sasol Mining
07.2023 - 10.2023
Production Shiftboss
Sasol Mining
12.2022 - Current
Miner
Sasol Mining
03.2022 - 11.2022
Learner Miner
Thungela Greenside Colliery
10.2020 - 11.2021
Learner Miner
Universal Coal NCC Mine
12.2018 - 05.2019
Mining Learner
Village Main Reef
11.2015 - 01.2017
Postgraduate Diploma - Risk Management (Candidate)
UNISA
Postgraduate Diploma - Energy Leadership
Wits Business School
BSc (Hons) - Mining Engineering
University of The Witwatersrand