Dewatering Supervisor at Oza Holdings

Role Purpose:

• To oversee and coordinate all mine dewatering activities to ensure effective water management, safe pit operations and uninterrupted mining production. The role is responsible for the installation, operation, inspection and maintenance coordination of pumps, pipelines and associated dewatering infrastructure to minimise water accumulation, prevent flooding and maintain operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:
Dewatering Operations

• Supervise daily dewatering activities across the open-cast mining operation.
• Monitor pit water levels, groundwater inflows, rainfall and potential flooding risks.
• Ensure that pumps, pipelines, hoses and associated equipment operate efficiently.
• Coordinate the installation, relocation and commissioning of pumps as mining activities progress.
• Ensure sufficient pumping capacity and standby equipment are available.
• Monitor discharge points and water management infrastructure in accordance with site procedures and applicable environmental requirements.

Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), mine standards and relevant safety procedures.
• Conduct workplace inspections, risk assessments and pre-task safety briefings.
• Identify and address hazards associated with water accumulation, electrical equipment, pipelines and pump installations.
• Investigate incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure that water discharge and handling comply with applicable environmental authorisations and site requirements.

Maintenance and Equipment Management

• Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs of dewatering equipment.
• Monitor pump performance, equipment availability and breakdown trends.
• Liaise with engineering and maintenance teams to resolve technical problems.
• Ensure proper housekeeping and the safe handling, storage and use of equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment inspections, maintenance activities and operational performance.

Production and Operational Support

• Work closely with mining, engineering and production teams to align dewatering activities with mining plans.
• Identify potential water-related production delays and implement proactive mitigation measures.
• Ensure that mining areas, haul roads, working benches and pit access routes are managed to minimise water-related operational risks.
• Develop and implement contingency plans for heavy rainfall, pump failure and unexpected water inflows.

Cost and Resource Management

• Monitor dewatering-related expenditure, including energy, diesel, equipment hire, maintenance and consumables.
• Identify opportunities to improve pumping efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Manage the effective utilisation of personnel, equipment and contractors.
• Report on operational performance, resource utilisation and budget variances.

Team Supervision and Reporting

• Supervise pump operators, dewatering personnel and relevant contractors.
• Allocate duties, monitor performance and ensure adequate shift coverage.
• Provide on-the-job training and reinforce safe working practices.
• Maintain accurate daily reports on water levels, pump operating hours, breakdowns, maintenance and dewatering performance.
• Escalate operational risks and equipment failures to management promptly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Relevant technical qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering or a related field will be advantageous.
• Relevant training in pump operation, water management, maintenance or dewatering systems will be beneficial.
• Valid driver's licence.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in mine dewatering, pumping operations or a related mining environment.
• Previous supervisory experience in an open-cast mining operation, preferably coal mining.
• Practical experience with industrial pumps, pipelines, hoses and dewatering equipment.
• Experience coordinating maintenance, breakdowns and equipment installations.
• Experience managing teams, contractors and operational resources.
• Understanding of mining safety procedures and water management requirements

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

• Dewatering systems and pump operations.
• Pump capacity, flow rates, pressure and pumping efficiency.
• Pipeline installation, inspection and maintenance.
• Water-level monitoring and flooding risk management.
• Preventive maintenance and equipment troubleshooting.
• Mine Health and Safety Act requirements and risk assessment procedures.
• Operational reporting, cost monitoring and resource planning.
• Microsoft Office and basic reporting systems.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Availability and reliability of dewatering equipment.
• Compliance with mine safety standards and procedures.
• Reduction in water-related production delays.
• Timely identification and resolution of water accumulation risks.
• Preventive maintenance compliance.
• Control of dewatering operating costs against budget.
• Accuracy and timeliness of operational reports.
• Team productivity, competency and adherence to safety requirements.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational ability.
• Proactive problem-solving and decision-making.
• Strong safety awareness and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to emergencies.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work shifts, extended hours and in challenging mining conditions when required.