Ngoakoana Rapoo

Metallurgical Engineer with 12+ years of experience across PGM and chrome mineral-processing operations, specialising in process optimisation, plant diagnostics, metallurgical performance and operational problem-solving. Experienced in mass and water balancing, process investigations, plant trials, equipment integration, throughput and recovery improvement, and feasibility-level technical assessments supporting CAPEX decisions. Demonstrated ability to improve plant performance and operating costs through data-driven analysis, root-cause investigations and corrective action.

Brings multidisciplinary coordination, technical team leadership and acting plant leadership experience, complemented by strategic operational oversight and governance responsibilities.

Plant Metallurgist – Acting Plant Leadership Support - Sedibelo Resources (PPM) – Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, SA - Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, South Africa

(2018-10 - 2023-12)

Accountable for metallurgical performance and process engineering support across Chrome beneficiation and PGM flotation operations, contributing to operational planning, production performance, process stability, recovery optimisation, cost control and continuous improvement. Supported plant leadership through performance monitoring, technical investigations, project evaluation, cross-functional coordination and compliance-related activities.

Reason for leaving: Retrenchment due to organisational restructuring (Dec 2023)

• Led plant diagnostic investigations, metallurgical surveys, sampling campaigns and mass-balance reconciliations across DMS and flotation circuits to identify process constraints, metallurgical losses and improvement opportunities.
• Developed and implemented process-optimisation initiatives and plant trials targeting throughput, metal recovery, process stability, product quality and reagent efficiency.
• Contributed to plant upgrade and improvement projects, including pump modifications and equipment integration across DMS and flotation circuits, covering technical specification reviews, equipment selection and sizing, and evaluation of proposed technical solutions.
• Supported project engineering and implementation through design reviews, process calculations, installation supervision, commissioning activities, performance testing and post-commissioning optimisation.
• Contributed to project scoping, cost estimation, contractor coordination and project-progress monitoring to support effective implementation of plant improvements.
• Supported CAPEX development through feasibility-level technical assessments, cost evaluations, technical justifications and structured investment motivations to inform project evaluation and investment decisions.
• Investigated operating-cost variances and implemented process improvements, including reagent-consumption and grinding-media optimisation, contributing to a 5% reduction in operating costs.
• Applied mass and water balance calculations, metallurgical data analysis and SCADA/PI process trends to assess plant performance, investigate abnormal operating conditions and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary technical investigations and corrective actions across operations, maintenance and engineering to resolve equipment and process constraints and improve plant reliability and performance.
• Supported daily operational planning, production prioritisation and plant-performance management, contributing technical insights to operational decision-making and corrective-action implementation.
• Monitored plant performance against key KPIs, including throughput, recovery, availability, product quality, reagent consumption and operating costs; investigated variances and highlighted improvement priorities.
• Produced and validated daily, weekly and monthly production and metallurgical reports, supporting management visibility, production forecasting and comparison of planned or budgeted performance against actual results.
• Coordinated operations, maintenance, engineering and metallurgy teams to address process and equipment constraints, minimise downtime and maintain stable plant performance.
• Led and developed a 14-person metallurgical team through mentoring, coaching and structured performance management, strengthening technical capability and operational discipline.
• Applied root-cause analysis, process audits and continuous-improvement methodologies to recurring operational problems, supporting process governance and corrective-action follow-through.
• Served as Custodian and Chairperson of the Water Management Committee, coordinating water-management activities and supporting compliance with Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) requirements and Water Use Licence conditions.
• Calculated and monitored plant mass and water balances, water consumption and recovery, investigating variances and identifying opportunities to improve resource efficiency and operational control.
• Monitored reagent dosing and consumption against operating requirements, investigating deviations and implementing corrective actions to support safe, stable and efficient plant operation.
• Conducted structured metallurgical audits and performance investigations to strengthen adherence to operational standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Increased plant throughput capacity by 15% through crushing-circuit optimisation and equipment integration.
• Improved flotation-circuit reliability by 20% and milling stability by 15% through targeted process and operational interventions.
• Improved metal recovery by approximately 5% through process optimisation and metallurgical investigations.
• Reduced operating costs by 5% through optimisation of reagent consumption and grinding-media usage.
• Enhanced plant performance visibility and operational control through the use of SCADA and PI process data for monitoring and performance trending.

Metallurgist - Sedibelo Resources (PPM) – Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, SA - Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, South Africa

(2014-07 - 2018-09)

Provided metallurgical and process-engineering support across Chrome beneficiation and PGM processing operations, covering crushing, screening, spiral concentration, DMS, milling, magnetic separation, flotation and dewatering.

• Conducted plant diagnostic investigations using sampling campaigns, metallurgical data analysis and mass balancing to identify process inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Executed plant trials and optimisation programmes targeting recovery, throughput, process stability and product quality.
• Investigated metallurgical losses and process-performance deviations and developed improvement recommendations.
• Worked with operations and maintenance teams to implement corrective actions arising from root-cause investigations.
• Monitored key metallurgical KPIs including recovery, throughput, reagent consumption and product quality.
• Produced technical reports and recommendations to support management and operational decision-making.
• Supported water-management initiatives and compliance with DWS and Water Use Licence requirements.

Junior Metallurgist - Sedibelo Resources (PPM) – Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, SA - Pilanesberg Platinum Mine, South Africa

(2011-10 - 2014-06)

Supported daily metallurgical operations, process monitoring, metallurgical test work and optimisation initiatives across crushing, screening, milling, DMS, flotation and dewatering circuits.

• Supported metallurgical accounting, production reporting and performance-tracking systems.
• Monitored recovery, throughput, product quality and process stability across Chrome beneficiation and flotation circuits.
• Participated in mass-balancing exercises and investigations into metallurgical losses and recovery-improvement opportunities.
• Participated in sampling campaigns, metallurgical test work, plant surveys and operational investigations.
• Supported operational teams in maintaining stable plant performance through monitoring and reporting of key metallurgical parameters.

Operations Director and Deputy Chairperson, Advisory Board - SC Forestry Contractors

(2025-09)

• Provide strategic and operational oversight focused on organisational performance, operational planning and performance visibility.
• Establish structured operational reporting and performance-management processes to strengthen accountability and management visibility.
• Support executive decision-making through performance analysis, KPI monitoring, risk oversight and operational planning.

Operations Director and Deputy Chairperson, Advisory Board - Macebo Media

(2025-01 - 2025-05)

Provided strategic and operational governance oversight, supporting executive decision-making, organisational planning, performance monitoring and risk management.

B-Tech - Metallurgy - Tshwane University of Technology (2013)

National Diploma - Metallurgy - Tshwane University of Technology (2011)