Sanele Mabuza

Results-driven laboratory professional with extensive experience in precious metals analysis, quality management systems, and ISO 17025 compliance. Seeking a challenging role where I can leverage my technical expertise, leadership abilities, and problem-solving skills to drive operational excellence, ensure high-quality analytical services, and contribute to the achievement of organizational objectives while advancing my professional growth.

Lab technician at Metal concentrator SA (2023-10 – Present)

• Perform precious metals refining and analytical testing to support production and quality assurance requirements.
• Conduct bullion analysis using classical fire assay techniques for accurate precious metal determination.
• Perform volumetric titrations and other wet chemistry analyses in accordance with approved laboratory procedures.
• Operate, verify, and maintain X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments, including WDXRF and EDXRF systems.
• Execute Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and ICP-OES analyses to ensure accurate and reliable metal quantification.
• Conduct acid digestion of gold-bearing samples using aqua regia and other approved digestion methods.
• Lead and support ISO 17025 accreditation projects, including method validation, documentation, and implementation of quality management system requirements.
• Perform method validation studies, including repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, precision, and measurement uncertainty assessments.
• Analyse high-grade gold samples using Spark Optical Emission Spectrometry (Spark-OES).
• Generate, review, and communicate analytical reports and assay results to internal and external clients.
• Prepare and issue Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for finished products and customer samples.
• Utilize Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for sample tracking, data management, and result reporting.
• Serve as a Technical Signatory, reviewing and authorizing analytical results in accordance with laboratory quality procedures.
• Participate in ASTM and LBMA proficiency testing programmes to demonstrate laboratory competence and maintain industry standards.
• Assist with the commissioning, verification, and performance evaluation of analytical instruments, including AAS and ICP-OES systems.
• Manage laboratory stock and consumables, including inventory monitoring, stock control, and reconciliation.
• Request and evaluate supplier quotations to support procurement activities and ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• Promote and implement Lean principles to improve laboratory efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize workflow processes.
• Drive and maintain 5S workplace organization standards to enhance safety, productivity, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory health, safety, and environmental requirements through adherence to safe work practices, risk assessments, and incident reporting procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, quality control activities, and compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements.
• Assist with training and mentoring laboratory personnel on analytical techniques, quality requirements, and laboratory procedures.

Plant operator at Diversey-Solenis (2021-01 – 2023-10)

Operating and maintaining plant equipment to ensure efficient and safe operations.

• Water treatment.
• Service delivery.
• Submit relevant paperwork to technicians after delivery.
• Transfer chemicals from bulk storage to day tanks, if necessary.
• Check and record all stock levels.
• Complete a daily usage report.
• Compile action log for each report.
• Collect samples from boilers, cooling systems, pasteurizer and chloride dioxide for testing.
• Check for equipment failure.
• Check for reagents on-site if they are enough.
• Safety & 5s.

Lab assistant at SGS (2020-10 – 2020-12)

• Dry ashing of carbon samples using a muffle furnace, digest with acid and later analyze with ICP-OES.
• Prill dissolution of bead with low Au content and analyze with AAS.
• Gravimetric finishing of high grade Au samples.
• Sample preparation using fire assay technique (weighing, fluxing, fusion and cuppelation).
• Preparation of samples by pressing and later analyzed with XRF.
• ISO 17025 Accredited.
• GLPs.
• 5s and safe.

Laboratory chemist at Harmony Gold (2018-10 – 2019-04)

• Preparing of liquid samples by Solvent Extraction technique and analyze with AAS.
• Prill dissolution of low grade Au content and analyze with AAS.
• Gravimetric finishing of high grade Au samples.
• Water lab analysis.
• ISO 17025 Accredited.
• GLPs and 5s.

Lab analyst at AngloGold Ashanti (2016-05 – 2018-09)

• Preparation of solution samples using Solvent Extraction and analyze with AAS.
• Rate of adsorption of activated carbon.
• Determine volatile matter in carbon samples.
• Determine free and Total cyanide by titration method.
• Water analysis (Alkalinity, TSS, TDS, Sulphates, Chlorides and pH).
• Balance room responsible for weighing, reporting and notify the responsible personnel when re-assay is needed.
• Prill dissolution of low Au content samples and analyzed using AAS.
• Parting lab responsible for sample preparation either by acid digestion or gravimetric finishing.
• Acting supervisor for Fire assay section.
• Adhere to safety and GLPS.
• Particle size distribution to check particle size of milling.
• Sample preparation using the fire assay technique (milling/pulverize, weighing/fluxing, fusion using reduction and oxidation furnaces and cuppelation).
• Participate in round Robin

WIL P1&P2 at AngloGold Ashanti (2014-06 – 2015-07)

Learning all the different departments of the lab.

National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry – Vaal University of Technology (2015)

B-Tech in Chemistry – Vaal University of Technology (2019)