PALESA SELEPE
Mechanical Technician
Nigel
Summary
Mechanical Technician with 4 years of progressive experience in heavy industry maintenance and engineering, specializing in plant reliability, contractor management, and shutdown support. Proven ability to act as a technical expert on plant machinery, provide short- and medium-term technical support to maintenance teams, and ensure compliance with engineering standards, cost control, and asset care procedures. Skilled in SAP PM, troubleshooting with P&IDs and drawings, condition monitoring, and RCFA investigations.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
5
5
Certifications
Work History
Senior Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
03.2025 - Current
- Serve as technical expert on plant machinery, supporting maintenance execution teams in troubleshooting and repairs.
- Provide technical support and data-driven insights to artisans, enabling effective short- and medium-term maintenance execution.
- Act as senior response to breakdowns, diagnosing issues using technical drawings, P&IDs, and condition-monitoring reports, and recommending corrective action.
- Manage and prioritize breakdown and urgent work orders, ensuring efficient scheduling and minimal downtime.
- Lead complex maintenance activities, including contractor management and supervision of maintenance service contracts.
- Ensure compliance with engineering standards during maintenance execution.
- Support planning department with shutdown management, routine maintenance scheduling, and technical input.
- Manage repairable and non-repairable spare parts, performing quality checks in line with RACI processes.
- Analyze and implement actions from condition-based monitoring reports; maintain and update the equipment risk list.
- Identify and implement improvement projects to extend service life and reduce recurring equipment failures.
- Audit maintenance quality of internal teams and contractors, including hydraulics-focused services.
- Monitor equipment performance and cost control within the assigned cost centre.
- Supported the Maintenance Manager in ensuring compliance with Work Order, Technical Change, and Shutdown Management procedures.
- Delivered 3 cost-saving initiatives reducing annual spend by R350 000 while maintaining operational reliability.
Junior Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Assisted senior technicians in performing preventative and corrective maintenance on plant machinery and equipment.
- Troubleshot and repaired mechanical systems including pumps, compressors, gearboxes, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
- Supported fault-finding using technical drawings, schematics, and P&IDs.
- Provided technical assistance to artisans and execution teams during maintenance activities.
- Supported installation, commissioning, and testing of new equipment and machinery.
- Contributed to shutdown planning and task execution, including preparation of work packs and schedules.
- First line responder to breakdowns and trouble shooting.
- Recorded work completed in SAP PM, including work orders, spares requisitions, and maintenance reports.
- Assisted in maintaining accurate technical documentation for equipment and maintenance history.
- Supported supervision of contractors during maintenance and project activities.
- Participated in toolbox talks, risk assessments, and ensured compliance with OH&S standards.
- Resolved mechanical issues using both technical and manual skills.
- Assembled and disassembled equipment to perform repairs and maintenance.
Learner Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
10.2021 - 12.2023
- Assisted senior technicians with routine maintenance and repairs on pumps, compressors, gearboxes, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Learned to read and apply technical drawings, schematics, and P&IDs for troubleshooting plant machinery.
- Gained exposure to PLC systems, VFDs, and automated machinery through supervised tasks.
- Carried out basic inspections, lubrication, and minor repairs under supervision.
- Supported plant rebuild projects and machinery overhauls.
- Assisted in diagnosing mechanical faults and contributed to root cause discussions.
- Used SAP PM for basic work order updates, spares requests, and recording maintenance activities.
- Helped maintain records of equipment performance and condition monitoring data.
- Participated in toolbox talks, safety inductions, and risk assessments.
- Learned correct usage of hand tools, diagnostic equipment, and precision measuring instruments.
- Acquired skills in basic fabrication and welding through practical exposure.
- Certified in OSH-ACTS, Basic First Aid, Firefighting, Pneumatics, and Hydraulics.
- Inspected and tested equipment, machinery and components to diagnose issues, recognize defects, and determine appropriate repairs.
- Implemented preventive maintenance measures to decrease emergent issues.
Education
Advanced Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa01.2023
Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa01.2022
National Senior Certificate - Physical Sciences Stream
NN Ndebele
Nigel, South Africa01.2017
Skills
- Maintenance Quality Management
- Shutdown Management
- Budgeting & Cost Control
- Contractor Management
- Condition-Based Monitoring
- Fault Finding & Troubleshooting
- SAP PM (Work Orders, Procurement, Reporting)
- Computer aided design
- Microsoft word,excel and powerpoint
- Leadership and team collaboration
- interpersonal skills
- business communication and emotional intelligence
- critical systems thinking
Certification
Advanced Pneumatics & Fault Finding
References
Available on request
Timeline
Senior Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
03.2025 - Current
Junior Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
01.2024 - 02.2025
Learner Mechanical Technician
AECI Mining Explosives
10.2021 - 12.2023
Advanced Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
Diploma - Mechanical Engineering
Vaal University of Technology
National Senior Certificate - Physical Sciences Stream
NN Ndebele
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