Sonny Seema Pr Eng.

Experience

• 

  Exxaro Resources

  Jan 2005 - Oct 2007

  Process Engineer
• 

  Kumba

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  SEP Marketing Sample: Project Metallurgist

  Jigging technology has progressed to a point where Sishen’s 50 % - 60 % Fe ROM material can be beneficiated to produce a saleable 64 % Fe product. During the Sishen Expansion Project (“SEP”), feasibility studies were undertaken to confirm the appropriateness of this technology through test work in a pilot jig plant. This testwork resulted in Sishen Mine being able to produce saleable product from material not initially included in the resource definition, resulting in a significant increase in the resource base and the utilisation thereof. During the feasibility study, a marketing drive was initiated in which 200 kg SEP type products was sent to potential SEP product customers, for them to evaluate the ore. The result of the marketing effort was a total of 14 Mtpa SEP product letters of intent from potential customers in Europe and China. Although the response was positive for the SEP products, some customers expressed the desire to do large-scale (~ 20,000 tons) tests of the SEP products in their blast furnaces and sinter plant mixtures. This requirement could be satisfied by using the jig pilot plant over extended periods. This would also serve as a training plant for the potential SEP operators.My role as Process Engineer in this project included the following :• Enforce standard operating procedures• Risk assessments for non-routine operations and unplanned circumstances• Take control in emergency situations• Incident reporting and investigation• Enforce discipline• Maintain housekeeping Standards• Supervision of non-routine tasks• Legally appointed safety officer• Resources requirement planning Show less

• 

  Anglo Research

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Metallurgist

  Peruke Pilot Compaign Shift MetallurgistAnglo Research undertook an evaluation of a process to recover titanium from ilmenite, on behalf of a client. This evaluation started with a bench scale to generate preliminary process design data from which a financial evaluation of the process may be conducted. Subsequently, the Extractive Metallurgy Department was charged with the execution of a piloting program to prove the viability of the process. This was the most capital intensive pilot campaign in the history of Anglo Research, and also involved a serious risk element as consequence of the hazardous chemicals used.The pilot campaign included the a suite of metallurgical methods, covering digestion with Hydrofloric acid, crystallization and concentration, and refining through Pyrometallurgical technics. My role was that of a Shift metallurgist with the following resposibilties:• Compile and implement standard operating procedures• Conduct risk assessments for non-routine operations and unplanned circumstances• Incident reporting and investigation• Reporting of hazardous acts and conditions• Perform PTO’s on the technicians• Updating of electronic data sheets and data validation• Daily mass balance and performance reporting per section• Balancing of solution flows around circuit• Implementing of sampling practice, preparation and record keeping• Management of effluent• Monitor plant performance and providing technical assistance to Shift foreman• Technical investigation / problem solving around the circuit• Inventory planning for reagents and consumables• Scheduling of batch activities e.g. filter cleaning, reagent transfers• Scheduling of sample taking and preparation• Liaise with Analytic Chemistry Department (Workload preparation)• Liaise with Technical Metallurgist Show less

• 

  Kemix (Pty) Ltd

  Aug 2008 - Jul 2012

  Metallurgist

  My role is in the marketing department, with the main responsibility being the consolidation of our technical expertise with client services. The responsibilities were as follows:• Responsible for laboratory and pilot plant facilities and testwork.• Compilation of testwork reports, P&IDS and flowsheets.• SHE standards enforcement.• Required to stay abreast of changes in the industry regarding process engineering.• Assistance with equipment sizing, selection and design.• Tender preparation and submission.• Plant commissioning and optimization.• Training of personnel/operators at production level.• Technical client interaction, and post sales services.• Render inputs to project studies, make proposals and obtain buy-in from stakeholders. • Interpretations of metallurgical test results to determine the feasibility of proposed processes and techniques to be used.• Technical expertise and metallurgical auditing function provided to operational levels. Show less

• 

  Bateman

  Jul 2012 - Oct 2013

  Senior Process Engineer

  Current Duties involve:• Providing process engineering input to marketing.• Providing process engineering input to proposals and studies.• Give process engineering input to project implementation.• Offering process engineering input to commissioning.• To play an active role in seeking new technologies for acquisition and or development and application.Involved in the following Projects: Twin Metals Minnesota's Mixed Metals Study, Gold One's Ezulwini Plant Re-Commissioning Project, AngloGold Ashati's Iduapriem Expansion Study, and Avocet's Koulekoun & Kodieran Heap leach Option Study. Show less

• 

  Aurecon

  Dec 2013 - Sept 2018

  Process Engineer

  A key member of a mining team as a senior processing engineering, involved in business development by engaging Key Clients like Exxaro and South 32, and instrumental in setting up the company's asset transformation offering (Sustainable Mine Closure). The following are projects I occupied key roles in:• Exxaro’s Thabametsi Greenfields BFS;• Exxaro’s Leeuwpan capacity expansion project;• Anglo American’s KIO Thabazimbi LOM expansion project;• South32's Klipspruit expansion project (Feasibility to Execution);• Horizon Energy's Kisita Gold project evaluation and execution strategy;• Anglo American's Kumba Iron Ore Technology strategy roll-out;• AngloGold Ashanti's Vaal Reefs and West Wits footprint optimisation projects. Show less

• 

  Kumba Iron Ore

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  Program Manager: Technology
• 

  Anglo American

  Oct 2018 - Nov 2019

  OM Specialist

  Anglo American has undertaken to roll-out the Anglo Operating Model (OM) at all its sites, which is a way of optimising returns on their current assets by going back to basics. The OM is meant to provide clarity in terms of roles (especially front line), produce stability and reducing variation, thereby unlocking capabilities of their assets. Sishen mine has adopted this model, whilst also aiming to be “best in class” and benchmark within the Anglo group. I was appointed to roll-out OM at the Central Workshop and Engineering Services, starting with training, all the way to the go-live and subsequent stabilisation, which would be underpinned by proper change management technique. Show less

• 

  Wabtec Corporation

  Nov 2019 - Dec 2023

  Lead Project Manager

  As a Lead Project Manager focus on project deliver is maintaining at the highest standards while quality of the outputs is constantly measured and improved to ensure unparalleled client satisfaction. Managed various clients from the mining industry as means of ensuring continuous mining business growth.