Production Manager (Zinc)

Recruiter:

Network Recruitment

Job Ref:

NES025976/Dione

Date posted:

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Location:

Kathu, South Africa

SUMMARY:

The Production Manager will lead and oversee all mining production activities, ensuring the safe, consistent and efficient delivery of ore to the processing plant. This role is critical in driving operational discipline, aligning production with mine plans, and optimising performance across tonnage, grade, equipment utilisation and cost.
The successful candidate will ensure production targets are achieved without compromising safety, environmental compliance or operational excellence.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities:

Production Planning & Control

Execute short-, medium- and long-term mine production plans in line with business objectives
Deliver planned ore tonnage and grade to meet processing requirements
Monitor and track daily, weekly and monthly production performance
Adjust schedules based on operational constraints, geotechnical conditions and equipment availability
Coordinate loading, hauling and ore control activities
Ensure alignment between mining output and plant demands (tonnage, grade and blending)

Safety, Health & Environment (SHE)

Promote and maintain a strong zero-harm safety culture
Ensure full compliance with MHSA, site policies and legal requirements
Lead risk assessments, incident investigations and corrective actions
Enforce adherence to SOPs and safe work practices
Oversee environmental compliance, including dust control, waste management and water use

Operational Leadership

Lead, coach and develop supervisors and production teams
Set clear performance expectations and drive accountability across shifts
Ensure effective communication and handover between shifts
Foster a culture of ownership, discipline and continuous improvement
Implement short interval control to manage real-time production performance

Equipment & Resource Management

Maximise equipment utilisation and availability
Collaborate with maintenance teams to optimise equipment performance
Manage workforce deployment to achieve productivity targets
Identify and address operational bottlenecks

Cost & Budget Control

Manage and control production costs against budget (cost per tonne)
Monitor usage of key consumables (e.g. fuel, ground support)
Support budgeting and forecasting processes
Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or output

Quality & Grade Control

Ensure compliance with grade control and mine design parameters
Work closely with geology and survey teams to minimise dilution and ore loss
Maintain strict ore/waste separation and stockpile management
Support blending strategies to ensure consistent plant feed quality

Reporting & Compliance

Compile and present production reports (daily, weekly, monthly)
Track and report on key KPIs (safety, production, quality, cost)
Ensure compliance with mine plans, permits and statutory requirements
Participate in audits and regulatory inspections

Continuous Improvement

Identify and implement productivity and efficiency enhancements
Drive adherence to operational standards and discipline
Support initiatives to improve mine-to-mill integration and overall performance

Job Experience & Skills Required (Ideal Candidate Profile):

Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering or a related field
7–10 years’ mining experience, including 3–5 years in a leadership role
Proven experience in base metals mining (open pit or underground)

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly.
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If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles/positions.

For more information contact:
Dione du Toit