Marius Luther
Upington
Summary
Results-driven Project Manager experienced in project management, contract management, and regulatory compliance within mining industry. Delivered innovative solutions through effective team guidance and complex engineering project management. Focused on advancing leadership roles to enhance mining operations and drive organisational success.
Overview
4
4
Languages
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of post-secondary education
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
MD: Principal Engineer
Practical Mining Innovators
Upington, Northern Cape
2023.01 - Current
- Project Management: Target and Objectives, Technical Scoping, Development of Cost Budgets, Setting up and leading project teams.
- Achieved successful project delivery by coordinating engineering teams.
- Evaluated project risks to develop effective mitigation strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, integrating engineering expertise with other areas of knowledge to achieve common goals.
- Collaborated with stakeholder groups to streamline project execution.
- Participated in Business Improvement: Industrial Problem Solving for mining operations.
- Code of Practice, Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments: Technical Workshops, Template development, Training and Implementation.
- SHEQ Audits and Management Systems Development.
- Conducted legal compliance audits ensuring adherence to mining regulations.
- Managing Executive and Snr Management relationships.
- HME Operator Training: Developed Progression Model, Curriculum development, Implemented Digitisation of Learner Management Systems.
- ISO standards: comprehensive auditing and gap analysis.
- Mine Exploration and development: Drilling, Feasibility Studies.
Section Manager, Drill and Blast
De Beers
2020.09 - 2022.09
- 1. Drill and Blast readiness programme - Developing Group Standards for Explosives Management for underground operations. Risk Assessments and implementation of critical controls including safe operating procedures for drill and blast operations.
- Designed drill and blast plans for development and production ring blasting, developed training programmes for technical and mine production crews, and evaluated explosives suppliers to ensure optimal performance.
- 5. Monitoring QAQC of Bulk and packaged explosives.
- 6. Compliance audits on DMRE and SAPS regulations.
- Managed project licensing and construction of emulsion manufacturing plant, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and timely completion.
- 3. Specifications and scope development for Drilling, Charging and ancillary equipment, including centralised blasting systems.
- 4. Applications for magazine licenses, CTPs, bulk emulsion silos and related items.
- 9. Providing technical input for Supplier Contracts.
- Oversaw technical components of supply agreements, ensuring alignment with operational goals and supplier performance expectations.
- Conducted detailed cost analysis and budgeting processes for projects.
- Distribution of 72 000 tons of explosives per annum
- Compilation and management of sales budgets - Sales budget of R1.2 billion per annum
- Managed relationships with stakeholders to ensure project alignment and support. (Communities, Regional authorities, Clients)
- Participation and presentation of Best Practice studies and workshops
- Development of Risk Assessments and Safe Work Procedures
- Accountable for caring and growing the regional team by administering the Company’s industrial relations procedures, applying fair discipline and planning their careers according to the set training gap analyses for each level.
- Management of 157 employees (interviews, training, development, performance Management)
- Fixed and mobile Assets of R250 million
- Engineering Maintenance of Mobile Manufacturing Units, LDVs and SME
- Venetia, Musing
Regional Sales Manager
AECI
2017.09 - 2019.11
- Accountable for the long-term growth and profitability by leading AEL’s strategic thrust into the region to secure mine growth, managing competitor activity and establishing a dominant position within this strategically vital region (Northern Cape).
- Developed targeted sales and growth strategies that enhanced revenue and strengthened client relationships.
- Achieved sales, profit, operating, and fixed costs budgets for the defined region, ensuring adherence to established targets.
- Managed current business, including bulk and packaged explosives and accessories, by aligning customer needs with quality, reliability, and technical support while achieving shareholder financial objectives.
- Compilation and management of sales budgets - Sales budget of R1.2 billion per annum
- Tender preparation, compilation presentation and submissions
- Pricing proposals and approval for products and services
- Account Management of Open-pit and Underground operations in the Northern Cape Region
- Managed and took responsibility for all operations, administration and resources in such a way as to comply with the Company’s World Class standards.
- Managed regional operations in Kathu, focusing on efficiency and safety compliance.
- Promoted and managed the Company’s vision and values using a hands-on approach to plan, lead, organise, and control this aspect.
- All matters related to SHEQ compliance (MHSA, Explosives Act, NEMA, NRT Act, etc)
- Development of Risk Assessments and Safe Work Procedures
- Fixed and mobile Assets of R250 million
- Engineering Maintenance of Mobile Manufacturing Units, LDVs and SME
- Distribution of 72 000 tons of explosives per annum
- Stakeholder Management (Communities, Regional authorities, Clients)
- Participation and presentation of Best Practice studies and workshops
- Developed and supported the regional team by managing the Company’s industrial relations procedures, enforcing fair discipline, and planning their careers based on training gap analyses.
- Management of 157 employees (interviews, training, development, performance Management)
- Assisted the Managing Director in the management of existing performance contracts, the compiling of tenders for new business and provided input into the preparation for annual price negotiations for customers within the region.
- Managed regional operations in Kathu, focusing on efficiency and safety compliance.
Consulting Drill and Blast Engineer
Goldfields
2017.01 - 2017.10
- Provided drill and blast support services, including designs, audits, assessments, and selection of explosives and equipment.
- Assessment of drilling and blasting processes for Long hole Open-stoping.
- Review of drilling patterns and blast designs.
- Assessed long-hole drilling machines and emulsion charging vehicles to ensure optimal performance and safety standards.
- Explosives Management Audits, Facilitation of workshops – Production Crews. GET Contract Management
- Trained and coached mechanised miners, operators, and supervisors to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Compiling and operationalizing Training Material from OEM and Mine Training Centre.
- Explored deep-level underground hard rock formations for mineral potential
- Bogosi Connections, Westonia
Underground SLC Drill and Blast Engineer
Petra Diamonds
2014.09 - 2016.12
- Explosives Manager and D&B Engineer's duties:
- Drill and Blast Design for Massive mining orebody.
- Resource Scoping and allocation drill rigs and charging units
- Explosives Management (sourcing, magazines, transport, charge and blast, destroy)
- Long Hole Drilling, Ring Design, Sublevel Caving Management.
- Mechanised operation - Drill and Blast data Management.
- Training and Coaching of Drilling Specialist and Blasting miners.
- Conducted studies on fragmentation to assess rock breakage patterns.
- Compiling production budgets.
- Drill and Blast database setup and management
- Automation of long hole drilling activities.
- Managing the investigation and development of mining resources to allow for continuous improvement in terms of efficiency and unit cost.
- Overseeing and enforcing the inspection of materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
- Reviewing and advising on Mining design progress and status according to the project plan and project objectives
- Reviewing and setting production objectives and co-ordinating implementation of policy and procedures to optimizing processes and systems.
- Reviewing progressive production output information and statistics, investigating and taking appropriate actions on deviations to ensure attainment of production plan.
- Managed operations at Finch, Lime Acres to optimise resource extraction.
Mining Engineer - Project Manager
Kumba Iron Ore
2002.01 - 2012.04
- Sishen Iron ore Mine - Mining Engineer
- Oversaw project execution and coordinated resources to ensure timely completion
- Managed dust and water control strategies to enhance site safety and compliance
- Implemented high precision drilling techniques to optimise ore recovery
- Establish block preparation sections
- Mining license application and development of satellite orebody
- PIT in training - Experience on all HME at Open Pit mine (Rope Shovels, Hydraulic face shovels, Front End Loader, Excavators, Dozers, Graders, Haul trucks, MMUs, Blast hole rotary drill rigs). Relieving Foreman and Section Head for drilling sections.
- Stoping and Development to obtain UG Blasting Certificate (DMRE)
- Goldfields UG Hardrock Narrow reef - Learner Official
- Kathu
Education
B Tech - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg 2008.01 - 2008.12
National Diploma - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg 2002.01 - 2005.12
Matric - Electrotechnology
Snr Secondary School Saul Damon
Upington 1997.01 - 2001.12
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Tech Global University
Spain 2026.07 -
Master of Science - Robotics
Tech Global University
Spain 2026.04 -
Skills
- Mine design and blasting
- Blasting methods
- Staff training
- Explosives management
- Regulatory compliance
- Environmental compliance
- Risk assessment
- Hazard studies
- Contract(or) Management
- Mine planning
- Tunnel construction
- Resource evaluation
- Technical reporting
- Project Management
- Strategic project leadership
- Team building and people management
- Staff training
- Problem-solving techniques
- Mechanical systems knowledge
- Vibration control strategies
- Blasting crew management
- Mining legislation
- Sublevel caving
- Explosives management
Personal Information
- Title: Principal Mining Engineer
- Date of birth: 1983-06-29
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: South African
- Marital status: Married
Certification
Rockbreaking Certificate - Surface Blasting Ticket for surface operations, UG Blasting certificate, Advanced driving, Environmental Law for chemical sector, Operational Risk Management
Languages
Afrikaans
Native
English
Fluent
Setswana
Elementary
Portuguese
Elementary
References
- Alan, Tordoir, alan.tordoir@angloamerican.com, +447702114405, Anglo American, London, UK
- Pule, Saltiel, pule.saltiel@sandvik.com, +27764599707, SANDVIK, Johannesburg
- Lino, Nkungu, +27 82 468 3695, AECI, Johannesburg
- Candy, Godie, godiecandy@gmail.com, +258858000319, KENMARE, Mozambique
Hobbies
Camping and Hiking, Research (religion, science, history, archeology), Youth development (community building projects), Gardening and Landscaping
Courses
Programme for Management Excellence, A3 Operational Risk Management, Types of risk assessments, Hazard Identification, Job risk analysis, Risk Mitigation, Root cause analysis, Critical controls, Senior Manager Development Programme, Financial Management, Diversity and Inclusivity, Project Management, Presentation Skills, Technical research and reporting
Accomplishments
- Published paper on UG longhole drill and blast.
- Implemented first automated long hole drilling operation in South Africa.
- Developed Youth Development programmes -digital skills.
- Hosting Focussed Study groups since 2019.
Disclaimer
I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of recruitment for the position to which I am applying.
Personal details
- Date of birth: June 29th, 1983
- Place of birth: Upington
- Driver's license: C1
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: South African
- Civil status: Married
Affiliations
- Camping and Outdoor travelling
- Gardening
- Youth Mentoring
Timeline
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Tech Global University
2026.07 -
Master of Science - Robotics
Tech Global University
2026.04 -
MD: Principal Engineer
Practical Mining Innovators
2023.01 - Current
Section Manager, Drill and Blast
De Beers
2020.09 - 2022.09
Regional Sales Manager
AECI
2017.09 - 2019.11
Consulting Drill and Blast Engineer
Goldfields
2017.01 - 2017.10
Underground SLC Drill and Blast Engineer
Petra Diamonds
2014.09 - 2016.12
B Tech - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
2008.01 - 2008.12
National Diploma - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
2002.01 - 2005.12
Mining Engineer - Project Manager
Kumba Iron Ore
2002.01 - 2012.04
Matric - Electrotechnology
Snr Secondary School Saul Damon
1997.01 - 2001.12