Jimmy Leope Thobejane

• Provide ongoing technical support using real-time data tracking and analysis of plant process parameters
• Track key performance indicators to identify lags in the process and opportunities for improvement and optimization
• Assist Metallurgical Production Engineers to expedite process improvement and stay in business projects to ensure safe, sustainable, and profitable business operation and product quality
• Developed a system for management of PGMs concentrate in-plant inventory and track Build-up and Dispatch mass-pull for entire concentrator complex
• Management of final tailings handling facilities
• Improved overall plant availability and runtimes by commissioning and improving overall utilization of Advanced Process Controllers (APC) to reduce downtimes and create maintenance time for engineering to work on breakdowns, therefore, resulting in improved average plant performance by over 55%
• Developed standard operating recipe and led its adoption and acceptance, a process leading to improved plant stability, reduced variation, and improved overall plant efficiency
• Reduced final tail grade by 38%, therefore, increasing average theoretical recoveries from average 50% to 75%
• Championed 11-day trial on re-treatment Chrome Recovery Plant (CRP) tails which realized PGMs recovery and generated 44 million in net profit.
• Championed relining activities and liner trials.
• Championed installation of MagoSense instrument on the UG2 plant 2 primary mill, for improved mill load regulation and production increase through online-real time mill volume measurement
• Engaged in planning, execution, and managing of 200 million Stay in Business (SIB) projects under CAPEX for structural refurbishment of Merensky Plant

• Integrate engineering, technical, and production goals for safe, sustainable, and profitable business operations by managing plant stability, availability, utilization, and product quality.
• Planning, designing, scheduling, and executing optimization and sustainability projects
• Coordinated maintenance planning with engineering, service providers and overall workforce and to drive continuous process improvement.
• Proactive management of plant stock inventory and product quality.
• Trained team on best practices to optimize production and improve quality.
• Performed root cause analysis and implemented corrective actions.
• Identified risk mitigation actions to reduce injuries, accidents and hazards in production environment.

• Legal Appointment Section 3(1) (a) SECTION 7(2) OF THE MHSA, Responsible for coordination of resources to meet business expectations in terms of safety, production, engineering, finance, and human resources
• During this time, ensured that plant operates effectively to safely produce Pt ounces with right quality as per business plan
• Chaired and concluded Lost Time Injury investigation
• Initiated and coordinated unlocking of approximately 3000 PGM ounces from concentrate handling area, work leading to record ounces production in December 2021 performance
• Responsible for management of silt trap and stormwater dam facility.

Performed in different concentrator operations within Anglo American Platinum treating different ore sources which includes:- UG2, Platreef, Merensky and Opencast material (UG2 and Merensky). Working together with process metallurgists for development of leadership, analytical and technical acumen to function efficiently as process metallurgist.

Project Contributions

• Participated in Proflote technology commissioning at Mogalakwena North Concentrator.
• Comparison study of conventional and Next Step flotation cell technology at Mogalakwena North Concentrator.
• Spray water optimization to enhance froth mobility and to prevent concentrate spillage from flotation cells and concentrate sumps at Mototolo Concentrator.
• Solve concentrate stream mismatch problem preventing high grade material reporting to final tails at Mototolo Concentrator.

Exposure experience focused on learning different metallurgical processes within Anglo American Platinum operations to gain understanding of the value chain.

• Performed administrative functions, answering phones and filing paperwork in support of department.
• Participated in on-the-job training, working closely with supervisors and coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
• Offered technical support and troubleshot issues to enhance productivity.
• Collaborated with employees from various backgrounds.