About
Highly accomplished Laboratory Manager with over 12 years of expertise in mineral processing, specializing in Platinum Group Metals, Base Metals, and Gold. Proven leader in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, laboratory commissioning, and operations optimization, consistently delivering high-quality analytical services. Adept at managing CAPEX/OPEX budgets, implementing robust QC/QA protocols, and leveraging advanced analytical techniques to drive compliance, safety, and continuous improvement in complex metallurgical environments.
Work
→
Summary
Commissioned and established a new analytical laboratory for gold assaying, ensuring full operational readiness and cost-efficient management.
Highlights
Established analytical laboratory from inception, procuring essential equipment (AAS, fire assay tools, leaching apparatus) and recruiting skilled personnel to ensure full operational readiness.
Implemented robust QC/QA protocols across sample processing, fire assay (DIBK, Aqua Regia), and metallurgical testing (CIL/CIP), enhancing accuracy and productivity by 20%.
Standardized workflows and conducted advanced analyses (bottle roll, carbon activity), ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
Produced critical reports to guide gold recovery, copper smelting, and cobalt leaching operations, managing cross-functional collaboration and maintaining strict instrument calibration (AAS, pH meters).
→
Summary
Led quality control initiatives to ensure manufactured steel products complied with customer specifications and international standards through rigorous analysis and QMS implementation.
Highlights
Directed quality control initiatives, ensuring manufactured products complied with customer specifications and international standards for steel manufacturing.
Developed and enforced a rigorous raw material analysis program, collaborating with production teams to rectify deviations and implement corrective actions.
Managed laboratory operations, overseeing chemical and physical testing while optimizing processes for efficiency and investigating customer complaints.
Implemented a comprehensive QMS training program and coordinated internal audits to maintain compliance, streamlining consumable procurement and instrument calibration schedules.
→
Summary
Leading the commissioning and operational setup of a new analytical laboratory for gold processing, ensuring full functionality and adherence to quality and budgetary targets.
Highlights
Spearheaded the development and implementation of the ISO 17025:2017 Quality Management System to achieve accreditation, ensuring compliance with international standards for analytical reliability.
Directed comprehensive laboratory commissioning, overseeing equipment procurement, method validation, and manpower recruitment to establish full operational functionality.
Managed CAPEX/OPEX budgets to optimize costs while delivering high-quality analytical services for gold, silver, and base metals, meeting operational targets.
Drove continuous improvement initiatives in workflows, safety protocols, and analytical reliability, fostering cross-departmental collaboration to support mining and processing operations.
→
Summary
Commissioned and managed an analytical laboratory, leading a team in gold and copper assaying while ensuring stringent QC/QA standards for CIL, vat leaching, and smelting processes.
Highlights
Commissioned and managed the analytical laboratory, leading a team in gold and copper assaying with stringent QC/QA standards for CIL, vat leaching, and smelting processes.
Optimized gold analysis methodologies, including Fire Assay, AAS, and cyanide leach techniques (CIL/CIP), significantly improving accuracy in tailings processing.
Standardized sample workflows, boosting productivity by 15% through process refinements and cost-efficient budget management.
Conducted advanced metallurgical testing (bottle roll, carbon activity) to enhance recovery rates and implemented robust QA/QC protocols across all stages.
→
Summary
Directed laboratory operations, ensured strict adherence to quality standards, and led a team in accurate sample analysis to support Unki Mine's profitability and reputation.
Highlights
Directed laboratory operations, ensuring strict adherence to quality standards while leading a team in accurate sample analysis to support Unki's profitability and reputation.
Developed comprehensive training programs, enhancing staff competency and maintaining a safe, ISO 17025-compliant work environment.
Implemented robust QC procedures, achieving a 10% improvement in analytical accuracy and 20% productivity gains through workflow optimization.
Spearheaded continuous improvement initiatives, reducing non-conformities by 10% while minimizing waste and operational costs.
Established equipment calibration schedules, reducing downtime by 15% and ensuring compliance with GLP and corporate standards.
Leveraged LIMS (CCLAS EL) for 100% accurate data reporting, enabling data-driven decision-making for mine operations.
Managed laboratory budgets, inventory (via SAP), and cross-departmental collaboration to optimize resource allocation.
Maintained expertise in precious metals analysis through ongoing professional development, ensuring the laboratory remained at the forefront of innovation.
→
Summary
Performed metallurgical testing and analysis for wire and strand manufacturing, ensuring product quality and process efficiency.
Highlights
Conducted metallurgical testing and analysis on wire, strand, and steel wire ropes to ensure product quality and adherence to specifications.
Assisted in process optimization efforts, contributing to enhanced manufacturing efficiency and material utilization.
Maintained laboratory equipment and ensured accurate data collection for quality control reporting.
Collaborated with production teams to troubleshoot issues and support continuous improvement initiatives in the manufacturing process.
→
Summary
Executed laboratory analyses for steel manufacturing, contributing to quality control and process monitoring.
Highlights
Performed chemical and physical tests on steel samples to ensure compliance with stringent quality standards.
Assisted in maintaining laboratory equipment and managing chemical reagents inventory to ensure operational continuity.
Documented test results meticulously and contributed to comprehensive quality control reports.
Supported senior chemists in troubleshooting and optimizing laboratory procedures to enhance analytical accuracy.
→
Summary
Conducted analytical tests in a commercial mining laboratory, supporting accurate data generation for clients.
Highlights
Executed routine analytical tests on commercial mining samples, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting for clients.
Assisted in sample preparation and data entry, maintaining meticulous records for laboratory traceability.
Adhered to strict laboratory protocols and safety guidelines in a fast-paced commercial analytical setting.
Contributed to the overall efficiency of laboratory operations by supporting various analytical tasks and maintaining equipment.
Certificates
Skills
Laboratory Management & Operations
Laboratory Operations Management, Equipment Maintenance and Upgrades, Data Management and Analysis, Budget Management, LIMS (CCLAS-EL), SAP Fiori, Microsoft Office.
Quality Assurance & Control
Quality Assurance and Control, Regulatory Compliance, ISO 17025:2017, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 18001, Good Laboratory Practice, Document Control, Quality Systems Proficient, Safety Systems Proficient.
Analytical Techniques & Instrumentation
Fire Assay (PGM & Gold Nickel Sulphide Collection NiS-6E, PGM & Gold 4E-Gravimetric, PGM & Gold Lead Collection Pb-4T), Base metal sodium peroxide fusion analysis (Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Iron, Chromium), Gold Analysis (Bottle Roll Assay, Carbon gold analysis, Gold carbon activity), Water Analysis (pH, Conductivity, TDS, TSS), ICP (Spectro Arcos, Agilent 5110 / 5900), AAS (Agilent 280 FS / 220 FS, Spectra 50B, GBC), XRF (Niton, Bruker), XRD (D2 Phaser), PYCNOMETER (Micromeritics), ELTRA (CS580), OES (Spark Analyser - JIEBO), pH meters.
Metallurgical Processes
Mineral processing, Platinum Group Metals (PGM), Base Metals, Gold, CIL/CIP, Vat Leaching, Smelting, Tailings Processing, Gold Recovery, Copper Smelting, Cobalt Leaching.
Process Optimization & Improvement
Process Optimisation, Continuous Improvement, Method development, Method verification, Method validation, Root Cause Analysis, Problem Solving.
Leadership & Collaboration
Staff Supervision and Training, Stakeholder Collaboration, Team Leadership, Conflict Management, Cross-functional collaboration, Personal and Team Continuous Professional Development.
Data Analysis & Decision Making
Statistical data analysis, Decision Making, Information Management, Data-driven decision-making.
Soft Skills
Emotional Intelligence, Effective communication, Organisation and Planning.
References
Victor Mangena
Human Resources Manager, Panellink Steel Manufacturing, panellink163@gmail.com, +263-787-020-662
Frank Banda
Human Resources Manager, Unki Mines (AngloAmerican), frank.banda@angloamerican.com, +263-772-100-102
Moyra Dembedza
Laboratory Manager, Unki Mines (AngloAmerican), moyra.dembedza@angloamerican.com, +263-771-565-929
Dr. Bongani Yalala
Chairperson, Dpt. of Applied Chemistry NUST, bongani.yalala@nust.ac.zw, +263-783-494-091