Full Name: Nigel Nyasha Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro
Position: Mine Planning Engineer
What contribution do you see yourself making to the Young Professionals Council and the SAIMM?:
- With my experience and exposure post-graduation and through my career development also including my direct involvement with Students on attachment (as a Mining Technical Assistant) I will be able to provide career guidance on matters of training, professional development and life skills. I have also participated in the SAIMM Mentorship program for the past four (4) years, the first three (3) of which as a Protege and in the past year as a Mentor. This has equipped me with invaluable knowledge which I wish to share with all the Young Professionals in the Mining and Metallurgy fields.
Interaction/activities that you currently participate in within the SAIMM (if applicable):
- SAIMM Mentorship Programmes (Mentor)
- SAIMM Online Conferences
- YPC Lunchtime Webinars
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mining Engineering
- Executive Certificate in Strategic Mining Finance
- Postgraduate Diploma in General Management (GMDP)
- Certificate of Competence in Project Management (COCPM)
Brief career history:
- I started off my career in mining as an Undergraduate Mining Engineer on attachment at Trojan Nickel Mine in Bindura in June of 2014 up to December of the same year. Immediately upon completion of my studies I joined Sandvik Mining and Construction (Sandvik Zimbabwe) on a project at Zimplats Mines conducting rock tools trials for the DI550 rigs operating at the Ngezi Open Pit from June 2015 to May 2016. I later then joined Bulawayo Mining Company (BMC) – How Mine which is part of Metallon Cooperation in June 2016 as a Graduate Mining Engineer. Upon completion of my Learnership program in May 2018 I was immediately appointed a Senior Overseer Miner from June 2018 to January 2019 before my first promotion to the position of Shift Boss from February 2019 to April 2019. From May 2019 to January 2020, I was then afforded an opportunity to act in the capacity of the Mine Captain in charge of Production. From February 2020 my roles and duties then shifted from production to focus on projects and planning with my appointment as the Acting Mining Technical Assistant until my substantive appointment in February 2021. From July of 2021 I was then appointed the Mine Planning Engineer substantively starting in September of the same year, which is my current role.
Date and place of birth:
21 November 1992, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Other industry body affiliations?
Student Member of the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE)
Member of the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ)
What are your views on the 4th industrial revolution?
The Industry 4.0 has brought about breakthrough technologies, an increase in automation, and use of smarter systems with the capacity to learn without any human intervention.
This has changed the way humans now experience the world around them. This has also improved efficiencies via seamless connectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), safety through the use of robotics to conduct unsafe/risky tasks, transparency as data can be shared through cloud computing and effective decision making through artificial intelligence and cognitive computing.
I believe the 4th industrial revolution is the genesis of the future we have always seen in “sci-fi” motion pictures, and will provide for so many more opportunities for the development of the Mining and Metallurgy industries worldwide driving for, “Future Smart Mining”.
If you were a precious metal what would you be and why?
Gold – Throughout the history of mankind, gold has forever been a source of wealth and a store of value, and it is this sort of consistency that is key to success in life.
How do you think industry bodies such as the SAIMM can better equip young professionals such as yourself?
The SAIMM and other industry bodies provide invaluable information through knowledge transfer to young professionals driven through their three key focus areas on education, career guidance and enterprise. The development of the SAIMM Mentoring Programmes has assisted myself personally, and various other young professionals to find their footing within the industry.
These organisation can better equip young professionals through facilitating participation of more young professionals in ground-breaking research and development work currently being conducted worldwide.
How do you see young professionals making a significant change in the industry?
The younger generation has so much to offer the industry in terms of innovation and technology driven towards improvements in productivity, safety and the reduction of costs.
The Millennials and Generation Z have moved through the transition from the Third Industrial Revolution into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which is driven by breakthrough and smarter technologies. Of note is the recent commission of the world’s first pilot hydrogen-battery hybrid truck at the Mogalakwena PGMs mine in North East South Africa. The truck is part of Anglo American’s nuGen Zero Emission Haulage Solution (ZEHS). This is an ambitious project that marks the first time a truck of this size and load capacity (a 220t truck with a load capacity of 290t = a total laden weight of 510t) has been converted to run on hydrogen that will be produced on-site in hybrid combination with a battery.
What gets you up in the morning?
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” – Abstract African. It is my dream to become a pioneer in the development and application of technologies that enhance mining in the African continent and the rest of the world at large, and it starts with the interactions I can make on a daily basis within my community be it in terms of knowledge transfer and/or the influence I can have on the next person towards achieving this dream.
Social media links or information:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-n-b-mukonoweshuro-msaimm-a15965ba/
