Featured mine managers

Frans Agenbag - Anglogold Ashanti

Your mining background?: I grew up in the most beautiful part of the country, Namaqualand, and started studying education science at Stellenbosch University. I joined the mining industry in 1981 at the then Anglo Vaal, worked up through the ranks, and was appointed general manager in 2002. I now work for AngloGold Ashanti Limited.
Your major achievements?: Personally, my two beautiful daughters, and professionally the overall contribution I could make to the South African mining industry over the last 28 years.
View on SA mining in a year's time?: Not much different to the current situation. We as a company already live our motto,'Safety is Our First Value'. We may all be a bit more restricted by legislation by next year.
Your secrets of success?: People, people and again people, and having fun among people.
If you had to choose another job?: A farmer or anything to do with animals and nature conservation.

Background: Started in the Mining Industry in 1986, as a Rand Mines Learner Official. I worked for Durban Roodepoort Deep, ERPM, Harmony Gold. Also spent time at Durban Navigation Collieries and joined Anglo Platinum in 2001.
Major achievement: 7 Million FFS – New SA industry record and possible world record.
View on SA mining in a year's time: The safest it has ever been, but financially under pressure.
Your secrets of success: To learn from others what you can and to invent or do what needs to be done.
If you had to choose another job: Teacher.

Your background?: I grew up on the West Rand, and entered gold mining as a learner official. After 11 years in gold, I moved to platinum where I have been for nine years. I was appointed senior manager (GM) at Lonmin on Mine 5 in 2008.
Your major achievement thus far?: I was part of a series of safety turnarounds where many millions of fatality free and lost time injury free shifts were achieved. The latest millions were made at Saffy Shaft, which had been fatality free since inception nearly 10 years ago. I have been one half of a great marriage for 17 years.
Where do you see SA mining in a year's time?: I see a positive shift in safety awareness and safety performance in the platinum sector.
What is your secret for success?: I strive to keep on developing my leadership and technical skills, in order to continuously invest in the development of other people.
If you had to choose another job?: I may have become a medical practitioner specialising in sports injuries.

Your background?: I started my mining career in 1989 at Goldfields as a learner official. I worked on various Goldfields mines including Kloof, Northam Platinum and mostly Driefontein. I joined AngloGold Ashanti's Mponeng Mine in 2004 and was appointed GM in 2007.
Your major achievement thus far?: Mponeng Mine had for the second time in its history of 25 years achieved a million fatality free shifts, on 18 June 2008. An excellent team produced 600 332 ounces of gold in a year, for the first time ever in the mine's history, at an exceptionally low cost of $222 per ounce. On 4 February 2009 Mponeng Mine became the deepest mine in the world at 3778m below datum.
Where do you see SA mining in a year's time?: Safety has become part of our business in recent times, but it will remain a challenge to mine incident free. Financing growth will also remain a constraint.
What is your secret for success?: Our success depends on people. People are the business, and our business is people.
If you had to choose another job?: Veterinarian.