Chief Operating Officer

Riseup Management; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 2,500,000 - 3,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Riseup Management invites applications for a Mine Manager role overseeing strategic leadership of mining operations, with emphasis on safety, productivity, and regulatory compliance in accordance with MHSA and MPRDA.

The successful candidate will direct mining, processing, engineering and maintenance functions, drive continuous improvement, ensure asset optimisation, and deliver sustainable production targets in a complex underground or open-pit environment.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in mining engineering is required.
• An MBA or master's degree in business administration is preferred.
• MMCC (Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency) is required or highly desirable.
• Registration with engineering bodies such as ECSA is preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of experience in the mining sector.
• At least 5 years in executive or senior operational leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in extraction methods (deep-level underground or open pit) and processing/metallurgy.
• Solid knowledge of SA mining regulations (MPRDA, MHSA) and related safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all mining operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable production and business objectives.
• Lead and oversee mining, processing, engineering, maintenance, technical services, and operations support to optimise performance.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity, cost efficiency, asset utilisation, and excellence.
• Ensure full compliance with MHSA, MPRDA, and applicable legislation and company policies.
• Champion a zero-harm safety culture across operations with health, safety, environmental, and risk initiatives.
• Provide statutory leadership per MMCC responsibilities where applicable.
• Oversee mine planning, production scheduling, engineering projects, and processing activities to meet production and financial targets.
• Monitor KPIs and drive continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and profitability.

Skills

Mining engineering

Executive leadership

MMCC certification

ECSA registration

Regulatory knowledge

Safety management

Geotechnical expertise

Education

Bachelor's degree in mining engineering

MBA or master’s in business administration

Job description

Minimum Requirements:

• Core Degree: A bachelor’s degree in mining engineering.


• Leadership Degree: An MBA or a master’s degree in business administration


• Statutory Certification: AMine Manager’s Certificate of Competency (MMCC)


• Professional Registration: Registration with recognized engineering bodies, such as the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), is preferred.


• Tenure: A minimum of10 to 15 years of experiencewithin the mining sector.


• Executive Leadership: At least5 yearsof this experience must be in an executive or senior operational leadership capacity


• Technical Domain: Deep expertise in the specific extraction method used, such as deep-level underground mining or opencast (open pit) operations, as well as complex processing and metallurgical environments.


• Regulatory Knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of South African mining legislation, including theMinerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA)and theMine Health and Safety Act.


• Safety & Risk: Proven ability to drive zero-harm safety records, ventilation management, and geotechnical protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all mining operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable achievement of production and business objectives.


• Lead and oversee mining, processing, engineering, maintenance, technical services, and operational support functions to optimise operational performance.


• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve productivity, cost efficiency, asset utilisation, and operational excellence.


• Ensure full compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), and all other applicable legislation, regulations, and company policies.


• Champion a zero-harm safety culture by driving health, safety, environmental, and risk management initiatives across all operations.


• Provide statutory leadership in accordance with Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (MMCC) responsibilities where applicable.


• Oversee mine planning, production scheduling, engineering projects, and processing activities to ensure the achievement of production and financial targets.


• Monitor operational performance through the analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and profitability.