Raymond Setsepu
Laboratory Manager
Klerksdorp
Summary
Highly experienced Laboratory Manager and Analytical Chemist with over 25 years of experience in Gold, Copper and Phosphate Mining laboratories across South Africa, Tanzania, DRC, Zambia, and Namibia. Strong leadership background in establishing and managing ISO-accredited laboratories, technical auditing, method development, QA/QC systems, and laboratory cost management. Proven ability to lead multicultural teams and develop laboratories from inception to fully operational facilities.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Laboratory Superintendent
Quality Laboratory Services (QLS) – Minopex
Elandsfontein
03.2024 - Current
- Oversee daily laboratory operations ensuring efficiency and safety.
- Ensure compliance with legal and ISO 17025 requirements.
- Manage laboratory budget and expenditure.
- Oversee procurement of consumables and reagents.
- Maintain QA/QC systems and update SOPs.
- Prepare monthly reports for Area Manager.
- Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental standards.
Chemist (Technical Signatory – SANAS)
SGS
Vaal River Laboratory
10.2021 - 02.2024
- Verified technical accuracy of security sample reports.
- Diagnosed analytical and equipment-related issues.
- Identified biases and QC deviations.
- Ensured compliance with Laboratory Health & Safety Act.
- Assisted with instrument verification and maintenance.
- Reason for leaving: Offered senior position at Minopex.
Laboratory Supervisor
SGS
Vaal River Laboratory
03.2020 - 09.2021
- Supervised Fire Assay, Sample Preparation, Fluxing, U-Prep & BOSP sections.
- Led quality improvement initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with QHSE policies.
- Managed turnaround times and customer requirements.
- Conducted root cause analyses for technical issues.
Laboratory Manager
Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) Namibia
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Managed a Commercial Sample preparation Laboratory Operation.
- QA/QC systems, and ISO 17025 compliance.
- Oversaw staff training and development.
- Managed budgets and financial targets.
- Maintained client relationships.
- Ensured environmental compliance and safe waste disposal.
- Delivered statutory and management reports.
- Reason for leaving: Retrenchment.
Laboratory Manager
Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) Zambia
03.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed laboratory operations, QA/QC systems, and ISO 17025 compliance.
- Oversaw staff training and development.
- Managed budgets and financial targets.
- Maintained client relationships.
- Ensured environmental compliance and safe waste disposal.
- Delivered statutory and management reports.
- Reason for leaving: Offered a position by ALS to head Namibian Operation.
Laboratory Manager
SGS Tanzania – African Assay Laboratories Ltd
08.2010 - 02.2011
- Managed North Mara African Barrick Laboratory.
- Maintained quality and safety standards.
- Optimized analytical instruments.
- Managed workflow and customer queries.
- Reason for leaving: Offered position by ALS.
Laboratory Instrument Manager
Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) – Freeport-McMoRan
12.2007 - 06.2010
- Commissioned and maintained laboratory instrumentation.
- Coordinated LIMS implementation.
- Managed ICP, LECO, NIR, Varian AA & Analytik Jena instruments.
- Led QA/QC validation systems.
- Trained laboratory personnel.
- Reason for leaving: Offered position by SGS Tanzania.
Laboratory Manager
SGS – African Assay Laboratories Tanzania Ltd
08.2006 - 11.2007
- Established Tenke Fungurume Mining Exploration Laboratory.
- Developed Quality Manual and SOP’s.
- Ensured financial and safety compliance.
- Managed recruitment and equipment procurement.
- Reason for leaving: Offered position by TFM.
Chemist & Plant Chemist
Anglo Gold Ashanti – West Wits Chemical Laboratory
12.2003 - 09.2006
- Optimized online analyzers and samplers.
- Supervised water laboratory and sample preparation teams.
- Conducted physico-chemical water analyses.
- Acted as Chief Chemist during extended leave periods.
- Reason for leaving: Offered senior position at SGS.
Chemical Analyst
Anglo Gold Ashanti – Vaal River Operations
09.1999 - 11.2003
- Led Fire Assay team of 25 personnel to ensure accurate sample processing.
- Performed Gravimetric, volumetric, and AAS analyses to support quality control initiatives.
- Performed uranium determination (UV-Vis & XRF).
- Maintained and updated QC systems in Fire Assay and Water Lab to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Reason for leaving: Promoted to Chemist position.
Education
Total Quality Management (TQM) Certificate - ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Pretoria, South Africa01-2004
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Chemistry & Microbiology
University of Fort Hare
Alice, South Africa01-1997
Skills
Lab operations management
Analytical Chemistry & Instrumentation
ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, AAS, NIR, LECO, Laser Ablation
QA/QC Systems & Method Validation
ISO compliance
Regulatory Compliance
LIMS management
Budgeting & Cost Control
Fire Assay & Wet Chemistry
Accomplishments
- Currently serving as a Laboratory Superintendent at QLS (Minopex), Elandsfontein, Western Cape.
- Managed a commercial laboratory in Namibia for ALS.
- Established and led an on-site analytical laboratory for ALS in Zambia as well.
- Successfully developed the Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) Exploration Laboratory in DRC from inception (equipment procurement, HR, QA/QC systems, LIMS implementation).
- Contributed to the development of the TFM Plant Production Laboratory in Kwatebala (DRC).
- Appointed as a Technical Signatory by SANAS.
- Acted intermittently as Laboratory Superintendent at TFM Plant Production Laboratory.
6. Professional Development
- Courageous Leadership
- Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
- Advanced Cyanide Handling
- Risk Assessment
- ISO 17025 Implementation
- Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
- Varian 700 ICP-OES
- Gas Safety
- First Aid (St John)
- Confined Space Entry & Rescue
- Modern Supervision
- Contracts – Role of Company Representative
Timeline
Laboratory Superintendent
Quality Laboratory Services (QLS) – Minopex
03.2024 - Current
Chemist (Technical Signatory – SANAS)
SGS
10.2021 - 02.2024
Laboratory Supervisor
SGS
03.2020 - 09.2021
Laboratory Manager
Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) Namibia
01.2013 - 01.2016
Laboratory Manager
Australian Laboratory Services (ALS) Zambia
03.2011 - 01.2013
Laboratory Manager
SGS Tanzania – African Assay Laboratories Ltd
08.2010 - 02.2011
Laboratory Instrument Manager
Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) – Freeport-McMoRan
12.2007 - 06.2010
Laboratory Manager
SGS – African Assay Laboratories Tanzania Ltd
08.2006 - 11.2007
Chemist & Plant Chemist
Anglo Gold Ashanti – West Wits Chemical Laboratory
12.2003 - 09.2006
Chemical Analyst
Anglo Gold Ashanti – Vaal River Operations
09.1999 - 11.2003
Total Quality Management (TQM) Certificate - ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - Chemistry & Microbiology
University of Fort Hare