Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Custom Section
Personal Information
References
Languages
Timeline
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Jan Leendert Wilken

Welkom

Summary

Developed Abilities: I am an advanced user of the Microsoft Windows environment of databases and computer programs. Proficient with Surpac, Mine Sight survey programs, including Instantel Minimate Blast Vibration monitors – Instantel Minimate Pro 6 and Blastmate III series. I am a natural communicator and as a result have been placed in a number of Leadership positions which have all been valuable learning experiences; some more challenging than others. I like taking iniative in group projects; I see myself as a non-hierarchical leader; being on the same level as my team members, rather than above them. Characteristics: Driven by passion for what I do – Implementation of new Technologies and challenging Projects. Determined to achieve my goals. Quick learner, adapt quickly to any situation. Like being involved and be aware of what new technologies are present on the market & industries and being actively involved in such projects. I am a people orientated person; can get along with anybody and managed to work well under pressure. Create an empowered and challenging team culture that delivers outstanding performance in SHEQ and achieve successful production targets. Evaluate any changes in scope of work and the financial impact on established budgets and targets. Develop, mentor and retrain staff. Demonstrate an approach to safety, health and environment that reflects the importance placed on these values. Innovative Manager with strong track record in driving business growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Demonstrates strategic thinking and exceptional leadership to inspire teams and achieve organizational goals. Leverages excellent communication skills to build strong relationships with stakeholders and foster collaborative work environment. Delivers transformative results through commitment to continuous improvement and proactive approach. Innovative Manager with strong track record in driving business growth and enhancing operational efficiency. Demonstrates strategic thinking and exceptional leadership to inspire teams and achieve organisational goals. Leverages excellent communication skills to build strong relationships with stakeholders and foster collaborative work environment. Delivers transformative results through commitment to continuous improvement and proactive approach.

Overview

40
40
years of professional experience

Work History

Drill and Blast Manager

Moto Engil
, Mali
08.2021 - 12.2025
  • Developed and delivered comprehensive training programmes, improving team skills and performance.
  • Managed inventory control, reducing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels at all times.
  • Cultivated work environment focused on personal responsibility, continuous improvement and delivering high-quality results.
  • Optimised workforce scheduling, balancing team workload to prevent burnout and maintain morale.
  • Managed organisational resources to meet administrative and operational needs whilst adhering to budgetary guidelines and meeting quality and schedule demands.
  • Oversaw compliance with regulatory standards, passing all inspections without any violations.
  • Investigated issues impacting organisational operations and service delivery to understand root causes, prepare detailed reports and recommend corrective actions.
  • Chaired cross-functional meetings, promoting effective communication between departments.

Drill and Blast Superintendent

Glencore DRC
02.2017 - 06.2021
  • Coordinate all bench and blast designs with AEL, Mining Engineers and Survey (MTS)
  • Liaise with Mining Engineers
  • Training of Congolese personnel
  • Transferring of skills and advanced blasting principles
  • KCC – Surface Mining Operation
  • Achieving production targets and ensuring the correct fragmentation is achieved consistently
  • Develop, mentor and training of blast crews
  • Liaise with AEL Explosives, Mining Engineers and Suppliers

Drill and Blast Superintendent

Kinross Gold Corporation
06.2014 - 01.2017
  • Coordinate all bench and blast designs with Maxam International.
  • Liaise with Mining Engineers
  • Training of Mauritanian personnel
  • Transferring of skills and advanced blasting principles
  • Tasiast – Surface Mining Operation
  • Achieving production targets and ensuring the correct fragmentation is achieved consistently
  • Develop, mentor and training of blast crews
  • Liaise with Maxam International and Mining Engineers.

Drill & Blast Superintendent

U&M Mining Brazil
02.2011 - 05.2014
  • Ensure optimal deployment of equipment and personnel. Preparation of monthly and weekly drilling plans, maintenance scheduling of drill rigs and ordering of GET.
  • Liaise with Senior Mining Engineers, Geologists, Blast Supervisor and Maintenance Supervisor
  • Coordinate with survey and assist with implementation of Surpac, Vulcan and Maptek software
  • Ensure constant feed of ore at the correct grades to the mining operations.
  • Coordinate all bench and blast designs with Solar Explochem. Ensure that working conditions and SHEQ Comply with the Zambian Mining Regulations.
  • Compiling of technical reports.
  • Writing and compiling of all mining related Risk Assessments
  • Koncola Copper Mine – Surface Mining Operation
  • Maintenance scheduling.
  • Fault finding and diagnostics of hydraulic and electrical systems.
  • Repairs and servicing of DTH Hammers and ordering of GET.
  • Develop, mentor and train staff.
  • Achieving production targets.
  • Evaluate any changes in scope of work and the financial impact on established budgets and targets.
  • Technical month end report to Mining Director and Maintenance Manager.
  • Liaise with customers (drill support companies and Mine Management)

Mining Superintendent

Metorex
01.2006 - 01.2011
  • Ensure optimal deployment of equipment and personnel
  • Preparation of monthly and weekly Mining and Drilling plans
  • Liaise with Senior Mining Engineers, Geologists, Contractor, Maintenance Manager and Mill Superintendent on mine planning, production trends and forecast, major services on equipment and scheduled plant shut downs
  • Ensure constant feed of ore at the correct grades to the milling operations.
  • Coordinate all bench and blast designs with AEL, Contractor and Security Manager
  • Preparing and analysing production trends on a weekly/ monthly basis and feedback to Production Manager
  • Preparing Risk Assessments and technical reports to Production Manager
  • Liaise with Contractors on a daily basis and direct production trends, weekly meetings on targets achieved and shortcomings
  • Liaise with pit dewatering team on pump availability and future projects
  • Ordering and budgeting of explosives and accessories on a weekly / monthly basis
  • Accident / Incident investigation (Production and Drill
  • Blast Operations)
  • Ensure that working conditions and SHEQ comply with the DRC Mining Regulations
  • Construction of haul roads and maintenance.
  • Ruashi Copper Mine - Surface Mining Operations
  • Equipment: Hitachi EX 1800, 5500 Shovel, EX 500; Liebherr 984 excavators.CAT 992, 978 Front end loaders; Bell ADT B40, B45 and Hitachi CH1000 ridged dump trucks, Pantera 1500 drill rigs; Cat Compactors 815F and CAT16M, 120M, 12OM2 AWD Graders; CAT D9T, D10T, D8R II Dozers

Project Officer

AngloGold Ashanti
01.2005 - 01.2006
  • Implementation of new mining technologies and blast design initiation systems in conjunction with the various Explosives manufactures on AGA Business units.
  • Planning and executing of projects on a day to day basis. Liaison between AGA Business Units and Explosives Suppliers (AEL, Sasol-Dyno Nobel and Maxam international)
  • Compiling of technical data reports; and conversion on pyrotechnic initiation systems to mining sections.
  • Compiling and sorting of data on Wipfrag fragmentation analysis system (shaft bottom conveyor ore belts).
  • Implementation of shock tube conversions to various sections and converting conventional and development crews in conjunction with AGA Training centre
  • Supervising of conventional mining and raise boring crews
  • Reporting to Project Leader and Mine Manager
  • Kopanang Gold Mine – Underground Mining and Surface Operations

Site Manager

UEE Explosives
01.2004 - 01.2005
  • Running of operations, training of blasters and Explosives Engineers
  • Ensure that working conditions and SHEQ comply with the Ghanaian Mining Regulations
  • Planning and executing of projects on a day to day basis
  • Liaisons between UEE and Redback mining
  • Writing and compiling of technical detail and month end reports
  • Participation in pit design and layout (Surpac)
  • Blast designs and monitoring of air blast / seismic ground vibrations (Instantell Blastmate III)
  • Chirano Operations – Red Back Mining Surface Operations

Project Officer / Planner

AngloGold Mining Technologies (AAC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT)
01.1997 - 01.2004
  • Supervision and implementation of new explosives and drilling technologies on the Business Units (AGA)
  • Planning and executing of drill and blast plans on a day to day basis
  • Liaisons between AMT, Business Units and Explosives Suppliers
  • Writing and compiling of technical month end reports
  • South Africa / Africa Operations Surface Mining

Shift Boss/Mining Foreman – Trackless/Conventional Mining/ Raise Boring

AngloGold Mining Technologies
01.1995 - 01.1997
  • Supervision and training of development and conventional mining and raise boring crews
  • Ordering of explosives and consumables
  • Maintaining of mechanical components, servicing schedules of units and critical spares
  • Overseeing of drilling and blasting; production call; direction of mining , drilling and Safety & Health
  • Compiling of Technical Evaluation and month-end reports
  • Liaison between Survey and Rock Mechanics department
  • Reporting to Project Leader on progresses and fault Findings
  • Technical Development Services – Welkom - Underground Mining
  • Equipment: Eimco, Wagner and Jarvis Clarke LHD’s & Utility vehicles; Tamrock and Atlas Copco drill rigs, Robbins Raises borers 44RH, 53RH and 73RH.

Artisan / Foreman

Free Gold
01.1986 - 01.1995
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Continuous maintenance and smooth running of plant and equipment in the various sections
  • Maintenance and overhauling of equipment (pumps, gearboxes; fluid drive couplings; vibrator screens)
  • Replacing and re-aligning of gearboxes, jackshafts; trunnions; girth gears and bearings.
  • Free State Geduld and President Steyn Gold Mines
  • Daily inspections on all equipment in allocated section
  • Breakdowns and repairs to machinery
  • Service scheduling
  • Ordering of spares and consumables
  • Mentor, develop and training of apprentices and helpers
  • Liaise with Metallurgical foreman on scheduled shutdowns and major services.

Education

Underground Bulk Explosives Systems - narrow reef environment and developing

AEL EXPLOSIVES
Johannesburg, GP
01.2001

Shift- Boss and Mine Overseers Certificate of Competence - (Production Supervisor- Development and stoping)

ATDS
Johannesburg, GP
01.2000

Blasting Certificate - Metalliferous Mine and Open pit

Department of Minerals and Energy
Johannesburg, GP
01.1997

Qualified tradesman - Fitter and Turner

Modderfontein
Johannesburg
01.1986

Apprentice Fitter and Turner -

Free State Geduld Gold Mine
Welkom, Free State, South Africa
01.1981

Grade 12 - Senior Certificate

Technical High School
Welkom, South Africa
01.1980

National Technical Certificate (N2) - Applied Science, Technical Drawings, Mathematics, Fitter and Turner Theory, Workshop Technology

Goldfields Technical College

NVQ Level 4 - Surface Blasting Technology

Academy of Explosives Technology
Northmead -Johannesburg

Certificate of Higher Education - Mine Overseers Certificate of Competency

Department of Minerals and Energy
Johannesburg, GP

Skills

  • Project management
  • Performance monitoring
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Production planning
  • Operational efficiency
  • Budget management
  • Leadership skills
  • Profit and Loss Analysis
  • Knowledge of regulatory standards
  • Contract management
  • Budgeting and financial analysis
  • Regulatory requirements understanding
  • Supply chain coordination
  • Contract negotiations
  • Performance metrics evaluation
  • Strategic research

Accomplishments

  • Developing and successful implementation of in-stope drill rigs and circular diamond saws in a narrow reef environment.
  • Implementation and proving of the Threshold Blasting Concept on AGA Operations.
  • Contribution in Blast Monitoring Methods.
  • Developing the cartridge loader for Emulsion Explosives in a narrow reef environment.
  • Development; introduction and implementation of various types of initiation systems in underground high speed development blasting practices.
  • Implementation, development and testing of Pumpable Emulsion Explosives in conventional flat ends.
  • Development and the successful implementation of the Sampling tool with the CSIR.
  • Contribution in the Blast Optimization Project.
  • Participation and successful implementation of Watergel Explosives at Kopanang and Tau Lekoa Gold Mine.
  • Participation in implementing and continuous testing of R100G and Rioflex explosives with Orbit/ Ictus in-stope pumps in a narrow reef environment.
  • Successful implementation of Hydropower drill rigs, long hole blasting and Raise bore site preparations.

Custom Section

English

Personal Information

  • South African
  • Spanish Residency

References

Marc Tremblay, GM Mining, KCC Glencore, mtremblay@katangamining.com, +243 994926381

Languages

English
First Language
Afrikaans
Advanced
C1
French
Elementary
A2
Spanish
Intermediate
B1
Swahili
Elementary
A2

Timeline

Drill and Blast Manager

Moto Engil
08.2021 - 12.2025

Drill and Blast Superintendent

Glencore DRC
02.2017 - 06.2021

Drill and Blast Superintendent

Kinross Gold Corporation
06.2014 - 01.2017

Drill & Blast Superintendent

U&M Mining Brazil
02.2011 - 05.2014

Mining Superintendent

Metorex
01.2006 - 01.2011

Project Officer

AngloGold Ashanti
01.2005 - 01.2006

Site Manager

UEE Explosives
01.2004 - 01.2005

Project Officer / Planner

AngloGold Mining Technologies (AAC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT)
01.1997 - 01.2004

Shift Boss/Mining Foreman – Trackless/Conventional Mining/ Raise Boring

AngloGold Mining Technologies
01.1995 - 01.1997

Artisan / Foreman

Free Gold
01.1986 - 01.1995

Underground Bulk Explosives Systems - narrow reef environment and developing

AEL EXPLOSIVES

Shift- Boss and Mine Overseers Certificate of Competence - (Production Supervisor- Development and stoping)

ATDS

Blasting Certificate - Metalliferous Mine and Open pit

Department of Minerals and Energy

Qualified tradesman - Fitter and Turner

Modderfontein

Apprentice Fitter and Turner -

Free State Geduld Gold Mine

Grade 12 - Senior Certificate

Technical High School

National Technical Certificate (N2) - Applied Science, Technical Drawings, Mathematics, Fitter and Turner Theory, Workshop Technology

Goldfields Technical College

NVQ Level 4 - Surface Blasting Technology

Academy of Explosives Technology

Certificate of Higher Education - Mine Overseers Certificate of Competency

Department of Minerals and Energy
Jan Leendert Wilken