Careers in Anglo Platinum

Home > People & Careers > Careers in Anglo Platinum

Engineering

The section engineer occupies a position that requires skill and competence in either mechanical or electrical engineering*.

A section engineer on the platinum mines is a manager of human resources and assets, and is legally responsible for the safe installation, and proper operation and maintenance of all machinery used in the operations. In addition, all the legal requirements of the Mines Health and Safety Act and the Minerals Act must be adhered to. To accomplish this, the section engineer may enlist the help of specialists, technicians, engineering supervisors and artisans.

The areas of responsibility that the section engineer is responsible for, includes:

  • winding plants, the machinery that transports men, material and ore from underground to surface;
  • pump stations;
  • ventilation, including the main fans, which ensure that the underground workings of the mine remain ventilated with fresh air;
  • compressors and boilers which supply compressed air and steam to power much of the machinery used on the operations.
  • rock breaking and rock moving equipment.
  • machinery, equipment and installations of process plants

The Section Engineer has many other responsibilities.

  • Budgets must be compiled realistically and expenditure must be kept within budget parameters.
  • The causes of recurring breakdowns must be investigated and eliminated, and once solved must be monitored.
  • The planning of maintenance and major overhauls of machinery must be co-ordinated. Equipment must be maintained at optimal efficiency.
  • Projects relating to the optimal operation of plant and equipment must be initiated.
  • The provision and management of training and development of his / her subordinates and sometimes plays the role of a coach or mentor.

The career of a Section Engineer in the mining industry is very diverse. Management of assets and projects, and the effective utilization of the human resource are but some of the exciting challenges facing a person interested in this responsible position.

* SECTION ENGINEERS need a qualification in either mechanical or heavy current electrical engineering. However, the need for light current electrical engineers is growing in the Mining Industry. Such engineers are used in specialized areas such as process control and instrumentation.

Career Path