Full name(s) and surname:
Jacobus (Jaco) Dreyer
Position:
General Manager Mining | DRA Global
What contribution do you see yourself making to the SAIMM and Council? :
I am genuinely thrilled by this opportunity to give back to a profession that has shaped me in every way, and I am absolutely committed to making a meaningful, lasting impact on the SAIMM and the wider mining community.
With over two decades of deep, front-line experience spanning four continents and more than 40 mining projects, encompassing commodities from PGMs and gold to copper, nickel, manganese, and uranium, I bring to the SAIMM Council a rare and powerful combination of practical wisdom, global perspective, and an unshakeable passion for this extraordinary industry.
My contributions to the Council would be anchored on three pillars:
- Technical excellence
- Professional development
- Industry visibility
As General Manager Mining at DRA Global, I lead a talented and energetic team of mining engineers every day, and I am deeply committed to advancing best practices, innovation, and the highest standards of engineering excellence within our profession. I am eager to channel that same drive and culture of excellence into the SAIMM Council helping to develop initiatives, publications, and standards that keep South African mining engineering at the absolute forefront of the global industry.
I am especially passionate about inspiring the next generation of mining professionals. Mentoring young engineers, encouraging them to embrace the SAIMM as their professional home, and demonstrating the extraordinary career possibilities this industry offers.
I also see tremendous, largely untapped potential in strengthening the SAIMM’s international footprint and forging deeper collaboration between Southern African practitioners and their global counterparts, drawing on the rich relationships I have built through project work across Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Europe.
I come to the SAIMM Council with energy, total commitment, and a desire to make a difference.
I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for this Institute and for the profession I love.
Interactions/activities that you currently participate in within the SAIMM (if applicable):
Active FSAIMM member (Member No. 706785) since 19th of September 2014.
I attend SAIMM conferences, symposia, and technical events with genuine enthusiasm, and I actively encourage colleagues and junior engineers to join and engage with the Institute. I am passionate about expanding my involvement, taking on a more prominent leadership role through Council membership, and helping to grow the SAIMM’s reach, relevance, and impact across the southern African mining sector and internationally.
Qualifications:
- B-Tech (Eng) Mining, University of Johannesburg (2007)
- MSc Mineral Economics, University of the Witwatersrand (2021)
- Technical and Operational Surface Mining Excellence, University of Pretoria (2024)
- Mine Manager’s Certificate of Competency Metalliferous (Cert No.: 6576) — Dept. of Mineral Resources and Energy
- Blasting Certificate for Metalliferous Mines (Cert No.: S055878) — Dept. of Mineral Resources and Energy
- Proto Initial Training — Mines Rescue Services (PTY) LTD
- Proto Ropes Technician Certification
- Proto Advanced Course Certification
- Professional Registrations:
- FSAIMM Member (706785)
- AMMSA Associate Member (MB5751)
- AusIMM Member (MAusIMM 3154005)
Brief career history:
My mining journey began in 2003 when I joined Anglo Platinum as a learner official on their bursary scheme — stepping into the tunnels and shafts of the Rustenburg Section.
I earned my B-Tech degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg in 2007 and, went through the ranks at Anglo Platinum, from Miner and acting Shift Supervisor at the Townlands shaft, to Senior Shift Supervisor at the Khomani 1 shaft on the Rustenburg and Union Sections.
Throughout this period, I accumulated over 2,000 underground shifts, building a visceral, ground-level understanding of mining that would prove invaluable throughout my career. During the same period, I was also an active and proud member of the Mines Rescue Brigade (Proto), serving with distinction as Brigadesman, Vice-Captain, and Captain, a role that speaks directly to courage, commitment, and leadership.
In May 2012, I joined DRA Global as a Mining Engineer and a new chapter of professional growth began. Over the following 14 years, I delivered across a portfolio of more than 40 projects spanning South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Morocco, the United States of America, Australia, Botswana, Peru, and Mali. Encompassing PGMs, gold, copper, nickel, chrome, manganese, and uranium, at every stage of the mine lifecycle from concept and pre-feasibility through to full DFS, EPCM, execution and operations.
Flagship projects include:
- Kinsenda Copper DFS & EPCM (DRC)
- Darwendale BFS & Execution (Zimbabwe)
- Tizert BFS, Pilot Mining and FEED
- Der Brochen BFS & PFS (Anglo Platinum)
- Bokoni Mine DFS & EPCM (African Rainbow Minerals)
- Subika Gold EPCM (Newmont, Ghana), among many others.
In 2021, I added an MSc in Mineral Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, a testament to my unwavering commitment to continuous learning, intellectual rigour, and evidence-based decision-making. Never content to rest on my achievements, I continue to grow, innovate, and inspire.
In 2025, I was appointed General Manager Mining at DRA Global, a crowning recognition of my exceptional technical ability, leadership qualities, and the profound respect I have earned from peers, clients, and colleagues alike.
In this role, I lead DRA’s Mining department, mentor the next generation of mining engineers, and continue to champion world-class project delivery with the same passion and drive that has defined my career from the very beginning.
Links to active social media platform
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