Full name(s) and surname:
Unali Hall
Position:
Member of the Publications portfolio for the YPC
(Engineer at Mintek)
What contribution do you see yourself making to the Young Professionals Council and the SAIMM?
- Assisting the publications portfolio in achieving their objectives
- Participating in YPC events (Talk Tuesdays, Mentoring program, etc.)
- Recommending and auctioning tasks to improve the YPC
Interactions/activities that you currently participate in within the SAIMM (if applicable):
- Member of the Publications portfolio
- Participated in Talk Tuesdays (willing to do so again)
- Participating in SAIMM mentoring program
Qualifications:
- National Senior Certificate
- Bachelors in Chemical engineering (B.Eng from UP)
Brief career history:
I started my career as an intern at Mintek within their pyrometallurgical division. This allowed me the opportunity to learn from the ground up what is involved in the pyrometallurgical processing of materials. After 2 years, I made a career change as a Project Engineer at Gauteng refinery, specialising in the hydrometallurgical treatment of precious metals. Mintek afforded me the opportunity to return after a year at Gauteng refinery and I returned to Mintek in 2020 as an Engineer in their pyrometallurgy division. I am currently operating in the technology demonstration group that specialises in the pilot scale smelting of material.
Date and place of birth:
13/01/1994 in Pretoria, Gauteng
Other industry body affiliations?
Candidate engineer at ECSA
Member of the Golden Key Association
What are your views on the 4th industrial revolution?
In the international context it is a wonderful thing and was quite pre-emptive when considering the effect COVID had on remote access and technology dependency of certain operations to continue successfully. When considering South Africa, it is a necessary and transformative movement that should be adopted, however it should not be hastily undertaken. In certain areas South Africa has not even implemented the 2nd revolution, let alone the 3rd. A systematic and sequential approach should be adopted.
If you were a precious metal what would you be and why?
Tungsten. It is extremely hard and durable. I am a very strong person that can survive and thrive under harsh conditions without cracking. It is not a precious metal, and precious is also not the word that is used to describe me (except by my mother). I am tough and can withstand most attacks while never losing my shine.
How do you think industry bodies such as the SAIMM can better equip young professionals such as yourself?
Educational programmes to prepare young professionals for the reality of work environments and the engineering field. It is important to be prepared for this and giving tools to young professionals to do this can be extremely beneficial.
How do you see young professionals making a significant change in the industry?
Young professionals in general have the drive to cause a change and also the knowledge of recent technological advances to effect this change. With sufficient preparation of these professionals by equipping them with the tools and confidence they require, they can be brilliant agents of change.
What gets you up in the morning?
Coffee and deadlines. And also the drive to continually improve myself as I am in competition with my younger self. I strive to grow as a person and a professional, to become a well-rounded engineer that can effectively problem solve current issues.
Social media links or information:
I do not have a great presence in social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/unali-hall-861a44108/
