SUMMARY:
Dewatering Supervisor – Mining Industry
Location: Middelburg or Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa (Local candidates preferred)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Reports To: Mining Operations Manager / Engineering Superintendent
Salary Range: R420,000 – R680,000 per annum (based on experience and qualifications)
Position Overview
A progressive mining operation in Middelburg/Witbank is seeking an experienced and highly accountable Dewatering Supervisor to oversee the installation, operation, and maintenance of dewatering systems across the site. This role is critical to ensuring efficient water control, pit safety, and compliance with environmental regulations.
The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience, the ability to manage teams, and technical knowledge of pumps, piping, drainage systems, and field monitoring.
POSITION INFO:
Core Responsibilities
1. Dewatering Operations Oversight
- Supervise daily dewatering activities including operation, maintenance, and relocation of pumps and pipelines.
- Monitor water levels, pump performance, and flow rates to ensure optimal pit and surface water control.
- Adjust systems as needed based on ground conditions, rainfall, or production activities.
2. Installation & Maintenance
-Oversee installation of boreholes, sump systems, pipelines, and electrical connections for surface and underground dewatering.
- Perform or supervise routine pump maintenance (diesel and electrical), including oil changes, impeller checks, and hose replacements.
- Coordinate servicing, repairs, and part replacements to prevent downtime.
3. Team Leadership & Coordination
- Lead a team of operators, assistants, and pump technicians.
- Plan shift rosters, allocate tasks, and ensure adherence to safety procedures.
- Train junior staff in pump operation, water management systems, and fault identification.
4. Environmental & Safety Compliance
- Ensure dewatering operations comply with mine water management plans, environmental permits, and safety regulations.
- Maintain logs of daily water volumes, pump hours, breakdowns, and fuel usage.
- Report environmental risks such as flooding, seepage, or spillages to supervisors immediately.
5. Communication & Reporting
- Liaise with engineering, mining, and environmental departments to align dewatering schedules with mine planning.
- Submit daily and weekly reports on pump usage, conditions, and water management status.
- Communicate clearly with supervisors regarding challenges, breakdowns, and performance trends.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum Education: Technical certificate, N3/N4 or Trade Test in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mining Engineering.
Experience:
- Minimum 5–7 years experience in dewatering or pumping operations in a mining environment.
- At least 2 years in a supervisory or team lead position.
- Familiarity with multi-pump systems, electrical and diesel pumps, sumps, and pipeline systems is essential.
Technical Skills
- Strong working knowledge of pump operation and maintenance (e.g., Wacker, Varisco, Flygt, Pioneer pumps).
- Ability to read technical diagrams, pump curves, and basic water flow calculations.
- Familiar with diesel handling, electrical setups, and power supply to remote systems.
- Comfortable using reporting tools (e.g., Excel, pump logbooks, inspection checklists).
Core Competencies & Attributes
- Safety-Focused: Committed to mine safety regulations and environmental compliance.
- Hands-On Leader: Leads by example, takes initiative on-site, and doesn’t shy away from physical tasks.
- Reliable & Responsive: Manages unplanned events quickly, including rainfall events and pump failures.
- Team Builder: Capable of motivating, training, and supervising field operators effectively.
- Attention to Detail: Keeps accurate logs, checks equipment regularly, and prevents failures.
- Adaptable: Works well in varying terrain, weather, and changing mining conditions.
- Organized & Time-Conscious: Prioritizes tasks to minimize water-related disruptions to production.
Additional Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and own transport is strongly preferred.
- Must be willing to work shifts, weekends, and overtime as required by site conditions.
- Must have no criminal record and be willing to comply with the company’s lie detector policy.
- Physically fit to work in outdoor, dusty, and occasionally hazardous environments.
