ZAC Mine manager, Sipho Valoi
Imenenja yemayini e-ZAC, uSipho Valoi
Sipho’s mining passion fulfilled at ZAC
Coming from a household of miners, ZAC Mine Manager Sipho Valoi had an inkling that one day he might follow the same path as his father and brothers who worked in the gold mining industry. This inspired his decision to enroll for a B-Tech degree in mining and minerals engineering. After graduating in 2011 Sipho went on to work for several companies including BHP Billiton, Straffontein Colliery, Boipelo Mining Contractors and South32. He attained his Mine Managers Certificate of competency in 2019 and the Opencast Mines Blasting Certificate a year before.
The idea of working for a growing company that ploughs back into its operations sparked Sipho’s interest in ZAC. The mine's secluded position, in the heart of rural KwaZulu Natal, can be paradise for a passionate miner like Sipho who was appointed as mine manager in April 2023. Sipho is pleased with how things are unfolding. “I still feel that coming here was the best decision for me. Things have been going well. I have always wanted to work for a company that invests back into the mine. It is not about the money that you make, it is about the improvement that you bring,” says Sipho.
He also has experience in both open cast and underground operations. So far overall operations at the mine have been stable, with a monthly production level of over 30 000 tons in recent months. The team has put a lot of focus on health and safety. The unfolding Mngeni shaft development is also progressing well and Sipho is looking forward to seeing the shaft fully operating. “The project team on Mngeni have been doing great work,” he says. Deep E, one of ZAC’s top performing shafts has also been producing above budget tons, he explains. Sipho looks forward to strengthening production efforts and ensuring that the teams perform at their best.
Kugcwaliseka uthando lukaSipho lwezimayini e-ZAC
Njengomuntu odabuka ekhaya labantu abasebenza ezimayini, Imenenja Yemayini uSipho Valoi wayesola ukuthi ngelinye ilanga uyohamba ezinyathelweni zikayise nabafowabo ababesebenza ezimayini zegolide. Loku kwamenza wathatha isinqumo sokubhalisela iziqu iB-Tech kwezezimayini nobunjiniyela bokumbiwayo.
Ngemva kokuthweswa iziqu ngo-2011, uSipho waya kosebenza ezinkampanini ezihlukene okukhona i-BHP Billiton, i-Straffontein Colliery, iBoipelo Mining Contractors ne-South32. Wathola isitifiketi i-Mine Managers Certificate ngo-2019 ne- Opencast Mines Blasting Certificate ngonyaka ondulela lowo.
Umqondo wokusebenzela inkampani esimamayo netshala emsebenzini wayo kokhela inhlasi yothando lokusebenzela i-ZAC kuSipho. Indawo yemayini emi qekelele, enkabeni yasemakhaya KwaZulu-Natali, iyizulu elincane kumuntu osebenza ezimayini njengoSipho, owabekwa wayimenenja yemayini ngoMbasa wango-2023. USipho uthakasile ngendlela izinto ezenzeka ngayo. “Ngikholwa wukuthi ukuza lapha yisinqumo esihle kakhulu. Izinto zihamba kahle. Kudala ngafuna ukusebenza enkampanini etshala emayini. Akusiyo nje imali oyenzayo kepha kungenxa yomehluke owenzayo,” kusho uSipho.
Unamava okusebenza ngaphezu nangaphansi emayini. Okwamanje umsebenzi wonke wasemayini ubuqhubeka kahle, kukhiqizwa umthamo ongaphezu kwamathani angu-30 000 ezinyangeni ezidlule. Ithimba belibeke eqhulwini impilo nokuphepha. Umsebenzi waseMngeni nawo uqhubeka kahle kanti uSipho uthi ukubheke ngamehlo abomvu ukubona umsebenzi ususebenza ngokugcwele. “Ithimba elenza umsebenzi eMngeni belenza umsebenzi omkhulu,” kusho yena. I-Deep E, eminye yemigodi eqhuba kahle ye-ZAC, nawo ubukhiqiza ngaphezu kwamathani abekiwe, kusho yena. USipho ukubheke ngamehlo abomvu ukuphucula umsebenzi wokukhiqiza nokuqinisekisa ukuthi amathimba enza ngaphezu kwamandla awo.