Gomolemo Thembo

Gomolemo Thembo is a driven individual aspiring to become a Senior Plant Metallurgist and or Process Engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg. With over three (3) years of experience as a Plant Process Operator, Intern Process Engineer, and a Student Process Engineer (Vacation Work), Gomolemo believes that his hands-on experience, complemented by his academic knowledge and fieldwork exposure, equips him to excel in Metallurgical and or Process Engineering fields.

With a solid foundation in Process Engineering, Gomolemo is committed to delivering optimal results in all his endeavours, while continuously enriching his expertise and skills. He is a self-motivated individual with a clear sense of direction, driven by goals, and dedicated to empower others through sharing his knowledge and experiences.

Plant Process Operator (Shift Leader) at Nanoretech (Pty) Ltd (2025-02 – Present)

• Operated and optimised hydrometallurgical processes for copper sulphate production, including acid leaching, solution handling, and the crystallization systems.
• Consistently maintained stable copper sulphate production by effectively controlling temperature, density, and flow parameters.
• Improved product quality by identifying and correcting process deviations such as contamination and excessive foaming.
• Achieved efficient plant operation through real-time monitoring and adjustments on SCADA systems.
• Reduced downtime by proactively troubleshooting equipment and process-related issues.
• Ensured compliance with safety and environmental standards, contributing to a safe and incident-free work environment.
• Executed root cause analysis and troubleshooting on process and equipment issues, reducing unplanned downtime.
• Recorded and reported key production and quality metrics, supporting operational tracking and continuous improvement initiatives.

Intern Process Engineer at Sibanye Stillwater Base Metal Refinery (2023-04 – 2024-12)

• Improved nickel sulphate recovery efficiency through process optimization initiatives, contributing to enhanced overall metal recovery and product quality.
• Increased process control reliability by contributing to the automation of densitometer measurements in the first-stage leaching circuit.
• Reduced process variability by analysing and interpreting plant data, supporting data driven decision-making for continuous improvement.
• Supported stable plant operation by proactively identifying and assisting in troubleshooting process inefficiencies across leaching and refining circuits.
• Maintained process compliance and product quality standards through consistent laboratory testing and quality control support.

Student Process Engineer (Vacation Work) at Sibanye Stillwater UG2 Concentrator Plant (2022-12 – 2023-03)

• Strengthened metallurgical accounting accuracy by supporting plant sampling, sample preparation, and data collection processes.
• Gained hands-on experience across milling, flotation, and tailings systems, improving operational understanding of concentrator performance.
• Contributed to process monitoring and reporting, supporting plant performance tracking and optimization efforts.
• Demonstrated strong adherence to safety standards, contributing to a zero-incident work environment during the training period.

Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Metallurgical Engineering – University of Johannesburg