Full name(s) and surname:
Steven Michael Rupprecht
PhD (Mechanical Engineering), BSc. (Mining engineering), Honorary FSAIM
Position:
Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg specialising in Underground Mining Logistics, Mine Design and Planning, Mineral Reserve Reporting, and Artisanal Small Scale Mining.
What contribution do you see yourself making to the SAIMM and Council? :
As my role as representing non-corporate member (i.e. Students) it is my responsibility to ensure that students members/and university students are provided access to suitable mining topics hosted by the Johannesburg Branch. I also act as an advsor to the Young Professional Council, and a coordinator for the annual student debate held by the Johannesburg Branch, as well as the annual SAIMM Student Colloquium, which promotes senior university students to publish in the SAIMM Journal.
As a member of Council I activel participate in Council meetings ensuring that the SAIMM remains updated with any changes in the mining industry that may affect our members.
I contribute to the SAIMM Journal as an author and referee, have published numerous papers for SAIMM Journal, conferences, colloquiums and schools, and am a member of the SAIMM Journal publication committee. I also contribute in a number of other organising committees.
Interactions/activities that you currently participate in within the SAIMM :
I have been involved with the SAIMM Council as a council member, co-opted council member, and non-corporate member since 2010.
Currently, I serve on a number of SAIMM committees:
• 2019 Chairperson for SAMCODES Standard Committee
• 2020 Immediate past chairperson for SAMCODES Standard Committee
• SAIMM Publication Committee since 2020
• Observer for the Young Professionals Council since inception
• Member of the Technical Programme Committee since 2010
• Member of the SAMREC Code Working Group since 2007
• A member of a number of conference organising committees
In 2023 I provided a 2-hr Introduction to the SAMREC SAMVAL Codes for the YPC. In 2020 I provided a SAIMM Webinar - An Introduction to Cut-off Grade.
Qualifications:
PhD Mechanical Engineering, University of Natal 2003
BSc Mining Engineering, University of Nevada Reno 1986
Mine Manager Certificate of Competency Metalliferous Mines 1990
Mine Overseer Certificate of Competency Metalliferous Mines 1990
Brief career history:
I have 38 years mining experience commencing my career in 1986 with Gold Fields of South Africa where I gained underground production mining experience working at Venterspost Gold Mine, East & West Driefontein Gold Mines, and Leeudoorn Gold Mine. In 1997 I was moved to Head Office as Group Mining Engineer and Senior Mining Engineer Coal.
In 1999 I joined CSIR Mining Technology as Research Area Manager and worked extensively on the Deepmine and Futuremine Research Programmes. In 2003 I joined RSG Global as a Principal Mining Engineer until 2007 when I joined Keaton Energy as a Technical Director, a position I held until December 2009. In 2010 I joined the University of Johannesburg and am currently an Associate Professor.
Date and place of birth:
30 April 1963, Petaluma, California, USA
A Resident of South Africa since 1987