Partnering with Infrastructure (Construction, Agriculture and Mining) Developers to bring their Projects on stream, from Concept to Completion.Partnering with Industry experts to offer a broad spectrum of consultancy and construction services under one roof. Bridging the gap between hard won local experience and investor strategy, navigating uncertain markets to unlock the opportunity and ROI for our Clients.For more information, please review our page link below: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baobab-technical-services

Brief sortie as part of the new shareholders support team tasked with plugging the gaps and turning around the debilitated Maloma anthracite colliery in Eswatini.

As Procurement Lead, I provided oversight and support to the Business Development, New Markets, Estimating and Supply Chain units in the different subsidiaries throughout our footprint in the SADC region, and further afield. This included forays into Renewables through the partnership with Volt Renewable Energy, participating with international partners on IPP proposals and solar PV plant construction; as well as PPP infrastructure developments.

GAC Bauxite Mine Pit-to-Rail EPC and Surface Mining: Contracted to construct the Pit to Rail infrastructure for the greenfield GAC Bauxite mine near Boke, as well as the Surface Mining works; I was responsible for contract negotiations and design risk assessments with the manufacturers of the crushers, overland conveyors and stacker reclaimer systems for train loading; the explosives suppliers for the downhole service contract and magazine facilities; the subcontracts for the heavy plant workshops and mine facilities; as well as client contractual management and payment certificates in addition to the Technical & QSE liaison for our project team.

Nigeria LNG landside facility: Contracted for the EPC works to construct the onshore campus for the NLNG company in Port Harcourt; I was responsible for all client and contractor/suppliers contractual management, document control, measurements and variations, as well as custodian of the Lean Last Planner System implemented on the Project.Nigeria Mint extension: as part of the suspended works programme, I was tasked with delivering practical completion at the National Mint expansion project, and negotiating and agreeing the final payment certificate and securing payment of outstanding certificates. Other projects in the suspended works programme included the High Court renovations, where practical completion was also achieved; as well as the Body of Benches project, the Ecoview Hotel, and the PDP party head office, all of which were left in care and maintenance due to outstanding payments and lack of funding.

Tongon Gold Mine, Randgold Resources, Côte d’Ivoire: Contracted for the surface mining works at the greenfield mine development near Korhogo in the north of RCI, a country still in a state of civil war, we had to build a team to mine one million bcm a month, as well as construct the infrastructure for a mining operation. Due to the low levels of literacy and skills available in the region, we used an independent skills assessment system to transparently select suitable local candidates, the LAB (Learning Abilities Battery) Test, which objectively assesses candidates’ attributes & potential irrespective of literacy levels and cultural differences, without causing offence or hostility in the host communities. Over 2,500 candidates were screened , including those for our client.After screening, candidates went through vigorous on–the-job and ABET training, so that in 6 months we built up a mining and maintenance team of over 500 people, with 80% from our host communities. Gounkoto Gold Mine, Randgold, Mali: following the successful start-up and operation of Tongon, I transferred across to Mali for the Gounkoto mine startup near Kéniéba; where the operating environment was quite different with many active mines in the area. With a high regional demand for skilled staff and turnover between companies, we had ongoing staffing challenges. Our emphasis there was more on multi-skilling and supervisory training, focusing on our localization targets.Once Gounkoto was up and running well, I moved across to the commercial team to develop opportunities elsewhere, which included;Oz Minerals TBM & Infrastructure bid – Carrapateena, Australia NRW BD partnership - Perth, AustraliaRuataniwha Dam bid, NZ Government – New ZealandAl-Khabra Early Works bid, Ma'Aden Phosphate – Saudi Arabia Simandou Early Works bid, Rio Tinto – GuinéeOkene-Kabba Road bid, Min. of Works - NigeriaSLRA Moyamba Road bid - Sierra LeoneAURUM Gold BD MOU - Mongolia

I oversaw the Estimating & Technical function of the various divisions, as well as supported the PPP/Concession department, at their Johannesburg Head Office, where my key responsibilities included;> Technical evaluation & selection of potential bids;> Overview of risk & contractual reviews of selected bids;> Validating construction methods & planning;> Co-ordination with the procurement, technical & operational units;> Liaison with the estimating units of subsidiary companies;> Overseeing all bid pricing, preparation & submission.

Responsible for the setting up of a new cross-border division and starting the Pioneering Cut-Back project for RioTinto’s Rӧssing Uranium Mine. This project entailed the north-western and southern cut-back for the pit expansion, as well as exploration work in the SK satellite area. At peak we ran at 450 k-bcm a month with a LTIFR of 0.35.Later as Area Manager for Namibia, my responsibility also extended to the development of emergent company partners (Genesis JV) and new business opportunities, being part of the JV team that negotiated the Trekkopje Heap Leach project for Areva and the Gobabis-Otjinene Road project with Genesis.Part of my responsibility in this role was our CSR and Sustainability issues; and we proactively engaged in the local communities, from offering bursaries and employment opportunities to disadvantaged students, supporting the BIG Poverty Alleviation programme and other community support/infrastructure projects in Keetmanshoop and Okashana, and to assisting the small miners forum in constructing tourist outlet centre’s at Spitzkoppe or mapping their claims at Brandberg in Erongo. In my personal capacity, I was, and still am, patron of the Asser Kapere pre-school in Arandis.On a divisional level responsible for auditing regional projects for system compliance; & providing technical input into commercial and operational activities.

Responsible for starting up Gallery Golds’ Mupane Mine near Francistown, which entailed the mine establishment and construction of all mining related infrastructure, mobilization of plant and equipment and recruitment and training of staff to mine 350 k-bcm a month in three separate pits.

All project operational and plant management and planning for the final openpit decommissioning and ramp scavenging project at Palabora Mining Company (Rio Tinto); including adherence to client & company QSE standards and procedures, and legal compliance. Project closure, demobilisation and HR finalization.

Responsible for External Works on the Heineken Brewery Project in Enugu and on the National Stadium Complex / Games Village in Abuja, where my key responsibilities included;> Construction management & methodology for the earthworks & pavement works, precast works, & services networks;> Development & implementation of QSE standards & procedures;> Staff development & training;> Design coordination & optimisation;> Management of services & contractor interfaces;> Project resourcing & procurement.

Construction (Site) Manager (1996 – 2001) and Site Engineer (1993 – 1995), on projects in South Africa and Botswana.Experience included Financial, Technical and Quality responsibility for a variety of engineering activities, including;> Township Development, road and services networks;> Quarrying, crushing and screening;> Drilling & Blasting;> Mine Infrastructure, Haul Roads, Culverts & Bridges;> Power station demob & rehab;> Bulk Earthworks;> Mine Rehabilitation, including burning spoils;> Environmental Protection works, Acid-Water management, River Diversions and Clean-Water Dams construction.

As a student I trained in steel and concrete design, as well as structural and civil (road & rail) construction methodologies, at Iscor’s Newcastle plant during the practical training segment of my studies.Best First Year Student 1990 Student of the Year 1991Chairperson of the fledgling Mountain Biking Club