Plant Engineer

Plant Engineer ROLE PROFILE GENERAL Date December 2025 Location Aggeneys, Northern Cape Operations (Please indicate the operation – by ticking the appropriate box) GB BMM Job Grade D4 (Paterson) / M4 (Vedanta) ROLE CONTEXT Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) operates two major mining complexes in the Northern Cape: · Gamsberg – a large-scale open ‑ pit zinc operation requiring high ‑ precision drill & blast execution to achieve fragmentation, slope stability and production targets. · Black Mountain Mine (BMM) – an underground operation where drill & blast quality directly influences development advance, stope performance, dilution control and safety. The Plant Engineer (D4) acts as the operational engineering leader for all plant assets, supporting both routine and non ‑ routine maintenance, engineering governance, shutdown planning, statutory compliance and continuous improvement. The role works closely with Metallurgy, Operations, Reliability, Projects and Contractor teams to ensure equipment readiness and stable production. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE To provide engineering leadership, technical expertise and maintenance supervision within the processing plant, ensuring equipment operates safely, reliably and efficiently according to legal and organisational standards. The role ensures: · Effective maintenance execution and asset ‑ care · High equipment availability and reduced downtime · Compliance with MHSA and engineering governance · Technical problem ‑ solving and operational support · Safe execution of engineering and contractor work · Continuous improvement in reliability and cost performance RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Maintenance Execution & Team Leadership · Lead day ‑ to ‑ day engineering and maintenance activities across plant sections. · Supervise artisans, foremen, GESs and maintenance crews to ensure high ‑ quality work execution. · Prioritise and schedule maintenance tasks based on risk, production impact and equipment condition. · Ensure timely response to breakdowns and effective troubleshooting of mechanical and electrical issues. 2. Engineering Governance & Compliance · Ensure compliance with MHSA, COPs, SANS standards, OEM recommendations and VZI engineering requirements. · Maintain statutory inspection records, legal appointment files and technical documents. · Implement and enforce engineering standards, SOPs, safety procedures and permitting systems. 3. Asset Reliability & Performance Improvement · Conduct root ‑ cause analyses (RCA) and implement corrective and preventative actions. · Work with Reliability Engineers to implement RCM, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance practices. · Analyse equipment performance trends to identify and eliminate chronic failures. · Support optimisation initiatives for plant availability, reliability and lifecycle costs. 4. Shutdown Planning & Execution · Coordinate planning and execution of planned shutdowns, including job ‑ scoping, materials, labour and contractor requirements. · Ensure shutdown work complies with quality and safety standards. · Oversee commissioning, testing and sign ‑ off after maintenance activities. 5. Project & Modification Support · Provide engineering input to small projects, upgrades and plant modifications. · Review drawings, specifications and engineering change requests. · Participate in commissioning and acceptance testing of new equipment. 6. Business Partner Management · Supervise contractor execution of maintenance, shut ‑ downs and specialised engineering work. · Ensure contractor compliance with VZI critical controls, safety rules, procedures and quality standards. · Validate contractor performance, scope adherence and cost alignment. 7. Planning, Scheduling & System Administration · Support maintenance planning, backlog management and work ‑ order quality in system. · Verify job cards, notifications, history logs and time confirmations. · Coordinate with planners to ensure resources and materials are available. 8. Production & Technical Support · Provide technical assistance to Metallurgy and Operations during plant upsets or equipment failures. · Participate in daily/weekly production meetings, improvement forums and technical problem ‑ solving sessions. · Communicate engineering constraints, risks and priorities to stakeholders. 9. Safety, Risk & Regulatory Compliance · Ensure all engineering work complies with VZI Zero Harm standards and safety critical controls. · Conduct VFLs, Gemba Walks and PTOs across plant areas. · Lead risk assessments (IBRA, HIRA) for engineering tasks and plant modifications. · Ensure safe isolation, lock ‑ out, switching and permitting processes. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Qualifications · National Diploma / BTech / BEng in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. · GCC Mines & Works (advantageous, preferred for succession to E1 roles). Experience · 6–10 years maintenance/engineering experience in a mineral processing or industrial plant. · Proven supervisory experience managing artisans and maintenance crews. · Strong exposure to crushers, mills, pumps, conveyors, flotation, filtration or similar process equipment. Technical Competence · Mechanical/electrical troubleshooting and fault ‑ finding. · RCM, RCA, predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. · Interpretation of engineering drawings, P&IDs, and technical schematics. · Knowledge of MHSA, SANS, COPs and engineering governance systems. Behavioural · Strong leadership, communication and teamwork skills. · High discipline, ownership and operational focus. · Strong problem ‑ solving and analytical capability. · Ability to perform under pressure in a fast ‑ paced plant environment. · Safety ‑ driven mindset with commitment to Zero Harm. Organisational Fit · Alignment with VZI’s values of trust, entrepreneurship, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect and care. · Commitment to operational excellence, zero harm, and community upliftment. · Ability to thrive in a high ‑ performance, CBP ‑ integrated environment.