Instrument Technician

Oza Holdings group; Komatipoort; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare in Komatipoort is seeking an experienced technician to maintain, calibrate and repair instrumentation and control systems in a coal wash plant. You will handle belt scales, density meters, flow meters, level and pressure instruments to ensure accurate production data and plant safety.

Responsibilities include fault finding on PLCs, HMIs and SCADA interfaces, supporting control logic optimisation, and maintaining electrical systems such as VSDs and motor controls.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years’ experience in coal processing / wash plant environments.
• Experience with instrumentation and control systems including PLCs and HMIs.
• Proven experience with belt scales and weighbridges.
• Knowledge of PDS and radio systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and calibrate plant instrumentation and sensors.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI and SCADA systems; assist with control logic.
• Repair VSDs, motor circuits and electronic control panels.
• Install/maintain PDS, radios, GPS and telemetry where applicable.
• Perform advanced fault finding and root-cause analysis.
• Maintain pneumatic systems and valve operations.
• Ensure compliance with mining safety standards and procedures.
• Compile maintenance reports, calibration records and asset data.

Skills

Fault-finding

Diagnostic capability

PLC programming

Calibration procedures

Process control

Electrical schematics

Test equipment

Education

National Diploma / N6 / Trade Test in Instrumentation Engineering

Electrical Engineering (Process Control / Light Current preferred)

Job description

Role Purpose:

To maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation and control systems within a coal wash plant, ensuring optimal plant performance, accuracy of measurement systems, and compliance with safety and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities:

a. Instrumentation Maintenance & Calibration

• Maintain and calibrate plant instrumentation, including:
• Belt scales and weighbridges
• Density meters, flow meters, level and pressure instruments
• Ensure accurate measurement and reporting of production data
• Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance

b. Control Systems & Automation

• Maintain and troubleshoot:
• PLC systems (Programmable Logic Controllers)
• HMI systems (Human Machine Interfaces)
• SCADA interfaces (where applicable)
• Assist with control logic fault finding and system optimisation
• Support plant automation and process improvements

c. Electrical & Electronic Systems

• Maintain and repair:
• Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
• Motor control circuits
• Plant electronic control panels
• Diagnose faults in electrical and electronic systems

d. Communication & Safety Systems

• Install, maintain, and troubleshoot:
• Proximity Detection Systems (PDS)
• Two-way radio communication systems
• GPS and telemetry systems (if applicable)
• Ensure all safety systems are fully operational and compliant

e. Fault Finding & Breakdown Support

• Perform advanced fault finding on plant instrumentation and control systems
• Respond to breakdowns and minimise plant downtime
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions

f. Valves & Pneumatics

• Maintain and repair:
• Solenoid valves
• Pneumatic control systems
• Ensure proper operation of actuated valves and control loops

g. Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with mining regulations and safety standards
• Adhere to lock-out and isolation procedures
• Maintain high housekeeping and safety standards

h. Reporting & Documentation

• Complete maintenance reports, job cards, and calibration records
• Maintain asset registers and instrument databases
• Track and report recurring faults and system performance

Minimum Requirements

Education

• National Diploma / N6 / Trade Test in:
• Instrumentation Engineering OR
• Electrical Engineering (Process Control / Light Current preferred)

Experience

• Minimum 4–6 years’ experience in:
• Coal processing / wash plant environment
• Instrumentation and control systems
• Proven experience with:
• Belt scales and weighbridges
• PLCs and HMIs
• VSDs and plant electronics
• PDS and radio systems
• Solenoids and pneumatic systems

Technical Skills

• Strong fault-finding and diagnostic capability
• Knowledge of:
• PLC programming (advantageous)
• Instrument calibration procedures
• Process control systems
• Electrical schematics and loop diagrams
• Familiar with test equipment (multimeters, calibrators, communicators)

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• Medically fit for mining environment