Joseph Colman Mello
Engineering Manager
Pretoria East
Summary
Engineering professional with proven track record in leading high-performance teams and driving innovative engineering solutions. Known for fostering collaborative environments and achieving significant project milestones. Reliable and adaptable, with focus on strategic planning and resource management.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Engineering/Engineering Manager
Tshiamo Group/Umlalazi Colliery
06.2022 - Current
- Project planning and management De Beers Voorspoed Rehabilitation, Thungela Umlalazi Colliery acquisition, Exxaro Leeuwpan DMS Plant Construction, Exxaro Matla/Eskom Stockpile Management
- Reduced downtime and improved productivity through the implementation of effective preventive maintenance programs.
- Increased production capacity by upgrading equipment and optimizing process workflows.
- Optimized manufacturing operations by identifying bottlenecks, implementing best practices, and providing targeted training to staff.
- Managed and scheduled equipment and system preventive maintenance programs to verify contractual compliance.
- Conducted routine and ongoing assessments of system operations by performing tests, rounds and analyzing data.
- Identified areas of improvement in existing systems, providing recommendations that resulted in significant cost savings over time.
- Selection and sourcing of mining equipment Rear dump trucks, Front end loaders, Dozers, Graders Excavators
- Budgets preparation Capital budgets, working cost, life of mine
- Staffing of operations Labour budgets, development of staffing model
- Equipment replacement/maintenance Development of equipment replacement strategies, development of maintenance strategies, time usage model development, Maintenance audits
- HSEC Development of safety management system, Review of COP’s, SOP’s, Risk assessments (baseline, issue base). Conduct VFL’s, Fatal hazards, Audits
- Performance management Production targets and KPI’s, Performance reviews, Mentoring and coaching
- Developed high-performing engineering teams through strategic hiring, focused mentoring, and performance management initiatives.
- Streamlined engineering processes for increased efficiency, leading to faster project completion and reduced costs.
- Managed budgets effectively while ensuring resource allocation aligned with company goals and objectives.
- Established robust safety protocols to minimize accidents, resulting in a safer working environment for all employees.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations through regular audits of systems, processes, and documentation efforts.
- Delivered cost savings by negotiating favorable contracts with vendors, lowering material expenses without sacrificing quality.
Colliery Engineer 2.13.1/2.13.3.2
Xstrata/Glencore Boschmans, Witcons, Impunzi coal processing plants
12.2012 - 10.2022
- Export train load out
- Mining TMM (ADT’s, Excavators, Dozers, Graders, Front end loaders)
- LDV workshops
- Conveyor belts Legal safety devices testing, chute fabrication and installation, chute window patching and liner replacement, conveyor belt vulcanised and mechanical splicing, steelcord conveyor cords corrosion scanning, idler replacement, pulley replacement and lagging
- Screens Screen vibro motors replacement, Screen side and back plates replacement, screen runners and beams replacement
- Feeders Vibro motors replacements, tiling
- Chutes fabrication and maintenance
- Crushers (Jeffrey, Abon and MMD) Crusher body repairs, segment replacements, Drive maintenance and replacements
- Wemco drums Wemco drums replacement, launder repairs/replacement, launder tiling, feedchute replacement/maintenance, lifters replacement
- Launders repairs and tiling
- Stackers Drives replacement/maintenance, boom conveyor replacement, hydraulic power pack repairs/replacement
- Reclaimers Chain replacement, tail and drive sprockets replacement, bucket repairs/replacement
- Pumps Pump rebuilds, pump replacement, V- belts and pulley replacement, impeller and bearing assembly replacement
- My role also included the following:
- Maintenance management
- Capex, Opex and Life of mine budgets (preparation, spending, forecast)
- Project management
- Shut downs (planning and execution)
- Performance management
- Continuous improvement
- Developed positive working relationships with stakeholders to effectively coordinate work activities.
- Optimized engineering processes by implementing innovative solutions and streamlining workflow.
- Conducted rigorous quality assurance tests, identifying areas of improvement for product optimization.
- Enhanced product performance by conducting thorough failure analysis and recommending improvements.
- Participated in formal internal design reviews of proposed products and components.
- Developed cost estimates and project specifications for proposals.
Maintenance Engineer (2.13.3.2)
BHPBilliton Sasol Brandspruit
10.2012 - 01.2012
- As maintenance Engineer I am responsible for the maintenance of the following:
- 3 x Koep Winders
- Ventilation fans
- Water dams
- Shuttle cars
- Feeder breakers
- LHD’s
- Conveyor belts
- Horizontal drills
- Roof bolters
- TMM workshop
Maintenance Engineer (2.13.3.1)
BHPBilliton Middelburg Mine North Plant
10.2010 - 01.2012
- Overland Conveyor Belts including cable conveyor
- Reduced downtime through efficient troubleshooting and root cause analysis of equipment failures.
- Developed preventive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and optimize performance.
- Performed root cause failure analysis on critical equipment, leading to more effective preventative measures.
- Documented maintenance activities and confirmed compliance with relevant regulations.
- Optimized spare parts inventory management for cost reduction and increased availability.
- Collaborated with engineering team to design modifications that improved equipment performance and reliability.
- Screens
- Grizzly Feeders
- Feeders
- Chutes
- Crushers (Jaw Crushers and Roller Ring crushers)
- Tips
- Wemco drums
- Launders
- Stackers
- Reclaimers
- Pumps (centrifugal)
Maintenance Engineer
Optimum Colliery Eskom Plant and Overland Conveyors
06.2010 - 10.2010
- As maintenance Engineer I was responsible for the ROM section and Eskom plant comprising of the following equipment:
- Conveyor belts Legal safety devices testing, chute fabrication and installation, chute window patching and liner replacement, conveyor belt vulcanised and mechanical splicing, steelcord conveyor cords corrosion scanning, idler replacement, pulley replacement and lagging
- Screens Screen vibro motors replacement, Screen side and back plates replacement, screen runners and beams replacement
- Feeders Vibro motors replacements, tiling
- Chutes fabrication and maintenance
- Crushers (Jeffrey, Abon and MMD) Crusher body repairs, segment replacements, Drive maintenance and replacements
- Wemco drums Wemco drums replacement, launder repairs/replacement, launder tiling, feedchute replacement/maintenance, lifters replacement
- Launders repairs and tiling
- Stackers Drives replacement/maintenance, boom conveyor replacement, hydraulic power pack repairs/replacement
- Reclaimers Chain replacement, tail and drive sprockets replacement, bucket repairs/replacement
- Pumps Pump rebuilds, pump replacement, V- belts and pulley replacement, impeller and bearing assembly replacement
Acting Maintenance Engineer
Optimum Colliery
07.2008 - 07.2009
- Responsible for the maintenance of the following:
- Conveyor belts
- Screens
- Feeders
- Chutes
- Crushers
- Wemco drums
- Launders
- Stackers
- Reclaimers
- Pumps
- Working with other departments as a team
- Equipment utilisation and availability
Maintenance Superintendent (Electrical Reticulation)
Optimum Colliery
01.2007 - 01.2008
- As maintenance Superintendent I am responsible for the following:
- Boschmanspoort new mine project
- Erecting new 132 kV and 22 kV lines approximately 55km long
- Erecting 132kV main substation
- 11 kV surface reticulation including RMU and mini substations
- Cable racks and ladders installations
- Cable joining and terminations
- I’m as well responsible for the maintenance of the following:
- 22kV main substation
- 6x132kV to 6.6kV step down substations
- 5x 22kV to 6.6 kV step down substations
- 6.6kV to 22kV step up substation
- 8 x 6.6kV double breaker skids
- 7 x 6.6kV single breaker skids
- 132kV overhead lines
- 22kV overhead lines
- 6.6kV overhead lines
- 315kW to 630kW mobile pumps
- Workshops and building maintenance
Maintenance Specialist
BHP-Billiton Optimum Colliery
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Responsible for the following:
- Analysing equipment data in order to identify and eliminate root cause of large and recurring failures through RCFA processes
- Analysing condition monitoring results and make recommendations
- Update SOP’s, task lists, drawings and condition monitoring strategy.
- Formulate task lists through F-MELA process (RCM) and load them in computerised maintenance system
- Prepare and plan departmental budgets
- Equipment availability and reliability
- Monitoring of maintenance KPI’s
Junior Engineer
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Training role with acting opportunities and exposure to the following:
- Conventional mining (Mine Winder, Loco’s, Pumps, Fans, etc)
- Trackless mining (T.M.M.)
- Major pumping station (15 ML/day)
- Settlers
- Compressors, Fans, Workshops
- Major capital projects
- Surface and underground electrical, air and water reticulation
- Budgets (working cost and capital control)
- Managing people (maintenance and productivity)
- Working with other departments as a team
- Store systems
- Equipment utilisation and availability
Planner (Building Services)
Telkom SA
09.1998 - 11.2000
- Responsible for planning and costing of the following maintenance and construction:
- Electrical reticulation in the microwave towers, telephone exchanges and technical services yards
- Air conditioners
- Vault pumps
Project Engineer (Electrical Reticulation)
Aviation Electrical Engineers
03.1998 - 09.1998
- Responsible for the following:
- Installation of line support structures
- Installation of conductors
- Installation of pole mounted mini substations
- Commissioning and project delivery
Junior Engineer
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.
01.1996 - 01.1997
- I was exposed to motors, pumps, cables, protection relays, transformers, breakers, cable terminations, cable splicing, basic use of hand tools
Education
Matric -
B-Tech degree - Electrical Engineering
TUT
Pretoria01-2000
Government Certificate of Competence (GCC) - Mines and Works
Maintenance Management
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa01-2013
Project Management
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa01-2014
Senior Leaders Development (SLD) -
University of Witwatersrand
01-2016
Skills
Performance optimization
References
- Sajid, Iqbal, Engineering Manager, 0846260537, Xstrata
- Ernest, Searle, Maintenance Engineer, 0823703719, BHPBilliton
- Ferdinand, Aphane, Chief Director, 0823361177, Department of Minerals and Energy
Interests
Tennis, Football, Running
Courses Attended
- Basic Hydraulic
- Inspection and use of Gantry and Jip Cranes
- Alignment
- Winches
- Fluid Pumps
- Air Brake Systems
- Inspection and Maintenance of Hoist Ropes
- Safe Lifting Techniques and Inspection of Lifting Equipment
- Electrical Protection
- HT Cable Jointing and Termination
- Rigging Fundamentals for Shafts and Winders
- Basic Pneumatic
- Winder Brake Systems
- Deutz Engines Jetstop
- Transmission
- Lubrication Fundamentals and Product Knowledge
- Programmable Logic Controller
- The Splicing of Steel Wire and Hoist Ropes
- Mentorship
Timeline
Head of Engineering/Engineering Manager
Tshiamo Group/Umlalazi Colliery
06.2022 - Current
Colliery Engineer 2.13.1/2.13.3.2
Xstrata/Glencore Boschmans, Witcons, Impunzi coal processing plants
12.2012 - 10.2022
Maintenance Engineer (2.13.3.2)
BHPBilliton Sasol Brandspruit
10.2012 - 01.2012
Maintenance Engineer (2.13.3.1)
BHPBilliton Middelburg Mine North Plant
10.2010 - 01.2012
Maintenance Engineer
Optimum Colliery Eskom Plant and Overland Conveyors
06.2010 - 10.2010
Acting Maintenance Engineer
Optimum Colliery
07.2008 - 07.2009
Maintenance Superintendent (Electrical Reticulation)
Optimum Colliery
01.2007 - 01.2008
Maintenance Specialist
BHP-Billiton Optimum Colliery
01.2006 - 01.2007
Junior Engineer
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.
01.2000 - 01.2006
Planner (Building Services)
Telkom SA
09.1998 - 11.2000
Project Engineer (Electrical Reticulation)
Aviation Electrical Engineers
03.1998 - 09.1998
Junior Engineer
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.
01.1996 - 01.1997
Government Certificate of Competence (GCC) - Mines and Works
Matric -
B-Tech degree - Electrical Engineering
TUT
Maintenance Management
University of Pretoria
Project Management
University of Pretoria
Senior Leaders Development (SLD) -
University of Witwatersrand