Chief Ventilation Engineer

Company Description

Valterra Platinum is the world’s leading primary producer of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), operating across the full value chain, from resource to market. We mine the materials that make modern life possible, in ways that are safer, smarter and more responsible.

Our business is at the heart of the broader Southern African economic and social landscape and we are committed to working towards a safe, sustainable, competitive and profitable business that benefits our country, our communities, our people, and our shareholders.

If you're driven by purpose, performance and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we invite you to join us. At Valterra, you'll be part of a team creating value that lasts—powered by curiosity, courage, and care. Apply today and be part of something bigger.

Number of positions: 1

Location: Mogalakwena Mine, Mokopane

Job Description

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 

• Provide strategic direction and legal oversight for ventilation and hygiene across multiple shafts and disciplines.
• Lead a team of VOHE personnel, ensuring execution of statutory duties, compliance with MHSA, and alignment with Group Standards.
• Ensure disaster preparedness through development, implementation, and review of emergency response plans and fire risk mitigation strategies.
• Represent the mine at internal and external forums, audits, and inspections, including DMRE engagements.
• Ensure accurate budgeting and management of CAPEX and OPEX for VOHE Departmental requirements. Manages resources to deliver section business targets.
• Ensure the department is adequately resourced to meet regulatory requirements.
• Develop and execute strategies to optimise main VOHE infrastructure and departmental systems.
• Develop and execute strategies to improve departmental efficiency
• Develop, implement and review VOHE related risk assessments (baseline risk assessment, bowtie’s, issue-based risk assessment, and other forms of relevant risk assessment)
• Develop, implement, review and drive compliance with mandatory Codes of Practice for thermal stress, noise, airborne pollutants, prevention of mine fires, emergency preparedness, confined spaces, prevention of flammable gas explosions, QAQC and self-contained self-rescuers. This includes new MCOPs that are published from time to time.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant legal, environmental, occupational health and safety and risk management standards and leading practices.
• Demonstrates safety leadership, sustainable development and Valterra Platinum values.
• Interpret corporate strategy & guideline into systems, procedures, and standards.
• Design and review mine ventilation and refrigeration layouts that are assessed and aligned to Life-of-Mine planning, production targets, and sustainability goals.
• Oversee advanced ventilation and heat modelling using VUMA, VentSim, and similar software.
• Conduct airflow and thermal requirement calculations, and drive airflow optimisation.
• Ensure implementation of occupational hygiene systems to identify, assess, respond to and control health risks that cause illness or adverse effects to people.
• Supervise hygiene surveys, baseline risk assessments, legal reporting, and system linkage to medical surveillance.
• Implement a purpose-driven, high-performing culture that is aligned with the company values, is inclusive and promotes diversity, supports engagement and fosters continuous improvement to work processes.

This is at a Band 6 Level and reporting to the Manager Technical Mining.

Qualifications

• Grade 12
• Legal requirement: Chamber of Mines (COM) Certificate in Mine Environmental Control
• Member of Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• At least 10 years’ experience in the ventilation field of which 5 years as legally MHSA12.1 appointee
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of management systems and database formulation
• Sound knowledge pertaining to people management
• Working knowledge of specialist Ventilation and Refrigeration computer simulation program
• Building and maintaining a healthy relationship with the DMRE
• Staying abreast with potential changes to legislation and inputs to new legislation
• Training, via courses, formal training or practical experience in:
  • Occupational Health legislation
  • Management system formulation and implementation
  • Safety, Health and Environmental integration
  • Hazard identification and risk assessment
  • Extensive computer literacy in MS Office, SAP,
  • Specialised technical programs VUMA/VentSim/Deswik CAD/Microstation)
  • Mines Rescue Services Manager in Control

Additional Information

• Driving License Code 8

Who We Are

We are a Southern African PGM producer, marketing metals globally, with a presence across 8 regions and 17 sites. Our operations include 4 operating mines, 3 smelters, and 2 refineries, giving us full control across the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) value chain—from resource to market.

We explore, we mine, we concentrate, we smelt, we refine and we market. As a result, we have an in-depth knowledge of PGM production and markets. Using this knowledge, we invest in developing sustainable markets for PGMs, partnering directly with research institutions as well as customers in the industrial, jewellery and investment sectors.

With 3 global marketing hubs and a team of over 29,000 employees, we serve a diverse international customer base while remaining deeply rooted in Southern Africa.

What We Offer

At Valterra Platinum, you will join a team committed to excellence and impact.

We offer:

• Meaningful work in a high-performance, values-led environment.
• Market-aligned reward and recognition.
• Opportunities for learning, development and progression.
• A culture that respects diversity and encourages innovation.
• A clear commitment to safe Operations.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfill their potential.

Valterra Platinum has a zero tolerance to dignity harms, these include all acts of gender based violence, bullying, harassment and victimisation. Ensuring the safety of our employees extends beyond physical safety and includes the eradication of harmful behaviours from our workplace. This responsibility extends to everyone at Valterra Platinum both during work hours and outside of work. We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form via this job advert.

Closing Date: 11 July 2025

Privacy policy - Valterra Platinum