Role Overview:Led operations and strategic initiatives as the Country Director/Manager of a technical services provider specializing in explosives, mining, and construction sectors. Managed a team and collaborated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and operational excellence in drill and blast services and environmental impact assessments.Key Achievements and Responsibilities: • Developed and implemented comprehensive business strategies, operational plans, and procedures to drive growth and ensure operational efficiency. • Oversaw daily operations, including project management, team leadership, and regulatory compliance across multiple projects. • Established strategic partnerships with governmental agencies such as Mines Safety Department and Zambia Environmental Management Agency to execute safety and environmental impact assessments. • Managed technical consultancy services for explosives sales and project oversight in Zambia and Malawi, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements. • Built synergies and conducted successful projects with major copper mines in Zambia, including FQM Trident Limited and Lumwana Barrick Gold.

Role Outcomes: I successfully moved through six (6) promotions managing a $4million a month blasting service delivery process to Kalumbila Mine, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian metals and mining company First Quantum Minerals (FQM), consuming 58000 tons of emulsion per annum, in a way that meets (or exceeds) their needs. To ensure that all the statutory, legal and BME SHEQ requirements are administered and adhered to.I was responsible for budgeting and cost management as well as accounting for the company’s assets in the form of stock, materials and equipment. I managed the operational service delivery value chain of 7 MMUs, 2 F3 Emulsion manufacturing plants, magazines and a site complement of 115 personnel across various disciplines (production, AXXIS, technical, maintenance, trucks, emulsion manufacturing plant, procurement, and safety), which saw the successful renewal of the explosives supply contract through my management. One of the key research work that was done was focussed on the Effect of blasting on the environment, a case study of Musangezhi dam wall, Kalumbila Mine, Zambia.

Role Outcome: I was able to manage, guide and ensure blasting optimisation and SLA compliance, analyse models as well as provide high-tech consulting services to internal and external stakeholders on request, to advertise BME's capability thus ensuring BME remains the supplier/service provider of choice in the SADC region (Zambia, DRC, Namibia, Malawi and Tanzania). Market intelligence, which forms the base for identifying key strategic issues facing customer portfolios and macro environment analysis. I ensured site specific KPIs for multiple clients with different priorities were met according to the respective SLAs. I developed strategies for the Site teams on different mine sites in different countries within the SADC region and ensured the execution according to laid down standards. Highlights include: Playing a key role in the development and trialing of new software and not limited to the Xplolog data capturing system as well as the Titanium electronic detonator system. I was able to optimize blast designs and save mines substantial amounts per annum, a case study of the drill and blast evaluation of B2Gold Otjikoto Mine in Namibia and Munali Nickel Mines in Zambia. I participated and led site beneficial projects at different mines such as stemming ingress, scatter and coefficient of variance of detonators, MMU Homogenizer etc. I was also able to acquire new business in Malawi and DRC through local partners due to the trade complexity in the region (extremely rewarding markets yet the absence of political will, weak institutions, and persistent conflict).

I was able to pioneer multifaceted projects (Mine to Mill and silo optimisation projects), offer training and manage teams of explosives engineers, emergency response and consulting services, team member of Xplolog software development team, SLA compliance and to execute business strategies with the aim of maintaining already existing clients and securing new business for BME across the Zambian mining market (Underground and Surface). I led an elite team that fired the largest electronic world record blast with 7401 EDDs. Trend analysis and improving the cost effectiveness at the customer operations formed part of my responsibilities.

I managed the blasting service delivery process to First Quantum’s Kansanshi Copper-Gold project which yields about 300 000 tonnes of copper metal per annum. Managing the operational service delivery value chain, 6 MMUs and a site complement of 101 personnel (Engineers, workshop, trucks, emulsion manufacturing plant, stores and Safety) with a revenue of $1.8million per month while ensuring that the statutory, legal and SHEQ requirements are adhered to and in accordance with legislature. Highlights include: securing of First Quantum Mineral’s Kalumbila Mine Explosives supply contract and associated services.

I generated drill and blast plans using Surpac and blast map software while offering solutions to the day-to-day blasting challenges. I was able to provide technical services to the mines ranging from fragmentation analysis, velocity of detonation, vibration and air overpressure monitoring, rock response, regression analysis, signature trace hole analysis and borehole calipering and tracking. My responsibilities covered all incountry electronic blasting product certification and roll out. I led a team that acquired new projects such as the Sentinel Copper Nickel project in Zambia. I was responsible for new changes and technology e.g. emulsion manufacturing and formulation changes, explosives energy containment and optimisation projects. I was able to offer training to fresh graduate engineer and ensured compliance with legislature surrounding explosives and submission of monthly explosives returns. I acted as relief Drill and Blast engineer while the Mine’s Engineer is on rotation.

The role involved designing sensitive blasts and conducting controlled blasts near mine infrastructure, with electronic delay detonators. I ensured safe operations and quality compliance to guarantee control. I trained and certified personnel on the AXXIS Electronic Initiation system. I was able to conduct research on Non-electric detonators scatter as well as Electronic detonators coefficient of variance. Compared applications and limitations of different shocktube brands with other market leading brands. Highlights include: successfully blasted my largest pyrotechnic blast having 4200 blast holes in Kansanshi's North west pit.

My role involved conducting geotechnical investigation for Western Power Company in Sioma, to establish rock competency for dam construction. I was further assigned to a team conducting mineral exploration in Northwestern Province of Zambia using Reverse Circulatory (RC) drilling.

My role introduced and familiarised me to all mining operations for both underground and surface operations. I undertook research on support systems in the room and pillar mining methods and suggested a more effective support system for implementation. I redesigned the open pit blasting parameters to reduce the effect of blast induced ground vibrations on nearby housing settlements.