Hendrik Oosthuizen, Pr Eng, M Eng, PMP®

Experience

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  AngloGold Ashanti

  Dec 1996 - Apr 2001

  Engineer in Training

  Obtained valuable operational knowledge through-out the value chain of a mining operation. Working with surveying, geology and mining departments on the face, to take samples, measure and align main development, and understanding how this information is captured on "paper", and how it adds value to the planning and management of the operation.Performed numerous temporary roles as line supervisors (such as High Speed Development Foreman, Services Foreman, Electrical Foreman, Refrigeration Foreman) and line management (such as Production Engineer, Services Engineer and Shaft Engineer). This valuable experience gave me a well grounded knowledge of deep level mines maintenance and technical challenges. Establish good knowledge and skills on the trouble shooting on electrical reticulation, battery operated locomotives and winders.High lights in this period was to get involved with the ~10MW refrigeration plant installations and overalls that I could witness and spend time on with the specialist Anglo American Field Services technicians. The trouble shooting on refrigeration plant start-ups and interlocks. I also had the privilege to see numerous main compressor overhauls with the associated white-metal bearings skimming and clearance, time consuming and pain staking work, but critical to the success of the long term reliability of the equipment. The services section included numerous Ice plants working on a vacuum principle to produce ice for the cooling of the deep underground gold mine, the replacement of high-tech centrifugal blades and other maintenance was critical to the reliability and availability of these plants.Visited weekend work performing front-end and back-end steel wire rope maintenance and cutting work, as per the legal and SANS requirements for reduced safety factors on winder ropes. I was involved with drafting a step-by-step procedure for BMR rope changesIn later half of this time period got more senior role exposure in Klerksdorp area. Show less

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  Anglo American

  May 2001 - now

  Overseeing, leading and assisting project engineering activities on various projects. Involved with wide variety of commodities in different roles and requirements, including platinum, iron ore and base metals.I proposed to raise bore numerous vertical holes rather than blind sinking a larger diameter ventilation shaft, initially for safety improvements. This project was successful and created significant cost savings.I was responsible for client coordination of the main design work on a vertical shaft for a deep platinum mine. This involved managing the drawings office activities, coordinating structural engineering designs and progressed to fabrication and installations on site. These responsibilities involved the associated tender processes, adjudication to fabricators, quality control and assurance processes and inspections and delivery to site. The shaft headgear was a box section design with an approximately 600T steel mass, and was erected on time and within budget.Highlights in this role involved the design of the vertical shaft reef intercept tower to allow for movement in both directions, quite a challenge, but a rewarding experience. The headgear foundations was a significant challenge for surveying the complex angles created in two dimension, for the headgear legs, this was resolved by innovative steel structure sleeves for the holding down bolts of the headgear. This was an immense proud and team celebrated moment when various parts fitted 100%.The headgear fabrication and erection involved numerous critical quality holding points and other important processes, such as welding procedures, quality holding points, jig assembly to name a few.We also tried to Hot Dip Galvanise the headgear, starting with a test piece. This was unfortunately unsuccessful and due to project risk the initiative was abandoned, nonetheless the lessons for the project team, involved HDGASA representatives and the HDG contractor was invaluable. Show less Responsible for the control and instrumentation designs and oversight various projects. Responsible for the design, specification and procurement involvement on a major vertical shaft development on a zinc operation. Actively involved with the specification and software development for a base metals operation overland conveyor. Successfully developed the control system programming and initial commissioning of a section within a new precious metals refinery. Initiated and developed group standards and specifications pertaining to conveyor belt safety systems. Show less

  • Principal Project Manager

    Jun 2013 - now

  • Project Manager

    Jan 2011 - May 2013

  • Principal Project Engineer

    Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

  • Senior Project Engineer

    Jul 2006 - Dec 2009

  • Senior Control and Instrumentation Engineer

    May 2001 - Jun 2006
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  Thungela

  Jun 2021 - now

  Project Manager