Gerson Robert Shipena
Mining Profesional
Windhoek,Khomas
Summary
Seasoned Operations Manager and talented leader with 25 years of experience applying exceptional planning and problem-solving abilities toward enhancing business plans and day-to-day activities. Results-driven and resilient in developing teams while improving processes and increasing productivity. Bringing solid understanding of industry trends, excellent communication skills, talent for spotting areas in need of improvement and implementing changes with strategic approach. Self-starting Operations Manager offering high-level experience in supervision of workover and completion operations. Adept at directing work of completion consultants and completion supervisors. Successful introducing lean manufacturing to increase productivity and cut costs of completion. Well organized, attentive to detail and vigilant in achieving safety and environmental impact reduction objectives. Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager of Operations
Northern Graphite Namibia
Otjiwarongo
07.2022 - 08.2023
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to executive leadership
- Directed initiatives to improve work environment, company culture or overall business strategy
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Developed and maintained relationships with external stakeholders and suppliers
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Chaired weekly meetings with executive leadership to identify opportunities for improvement, establish milestones, and tailor project construction activities focus.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications, and missed deadlines
Manager of Major Capital Projects
B2Gold Fekola Mine
Bamako
01.2020 - 08.2022
- Worked with construction managers to execute mill expansion from 7Mtpa to 10Mtpa, safely, on schedule and within budget.
- Led mine fleet expansion to increase pit production to 74Mtpa, and implemented Mine Fleet Management System (WENCO).
- Managed TSF raise construction project to increase storage capacity by 64Mtpa.
- Led expansion study, design and permitting activities for construction of new TSF for mine life.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to executive leadership.
- Directed initiatives to improve work environment, company culture or overall business strategy.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external stakeholders and suppliers
Assistant General Manager of Operations
B2Gold Namibia, Otjikoto Mine
Otjiwarongo
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Provide leadership and direct the operation teams in safely and efficiently meeting the mine's goals.
- Controlled spending on overhead and equipment by devising and executing cost-management procedures
- Engaged team members and improved performance by delivering daily updates and conducting regular meetings to obtain feedback and convey new policies
- Monitored employee productivity and optimized procedures to reduce costs
- Supervised operations team to support operational excellence and excellent customer service
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
- Monitored key performance metrics to identify areas for improvement
- Implemented process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimize procedures for higher efficiency and help company evolve and grow
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages
- Stayed up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to improve skills and organizational operations.
- Controlled and optimized performance of service contracts, and assessed value improvements including in-sourcing where applicable.
- Provided guidance and leadership in operational safety, contributing to design and development of frameworks and governance/policy setting to ensure effective application.
Mining Manager
B2Gold Namibia, Otjikoto Mine
Otjiwarongo
03.2013 - 02.2016
- Analyze operating information and identify areas for potential improvements. Create/communicate/implement plan and measure performance against targets.
- Create 2 year operations budget incorporating Business Improvement initiatives.
- Provided leadership and managerial skills to coordinate all production operations, including hiring and training workers, purchasing supplies, and maintaining equipment.
- Provided support to departmental managers (HODs) to achieve production targets safely and efficiently.
- Conducting training sessions to educate employees on mine safety procedures and protocols to ensure their safety during work hours.
- Conducting inspections of equipment and facilities to ensure that safety standards are being met.
- Establishing safety protocols for all employees in accordance with Government of Namibia regulations regarding mine safety, and industry best practices.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members
- Monitored and analyzed business performance to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability
- Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones
Mining Production Manager
AGA Navachab Gold Mine
Karibib
04.2008 - 02.2013
- Responsible for communication and execution of mine plan in operations.
- Provide daily direction to Production Supervisors, supervise pump/utility crew, and oversee scoria crushing contractor.
- Provide input to Engineering on short-range mining sequence and dump plans.
- Oversee drilling, blasting, and hauling operations to ensure delivery of safe and efficient production.
- Controlled budget and expenditures for pit operations.
- Prepared production reports on status of pit operations for senior management.
- Investigated mine accidents and incidents, and implemented corrective action as necessary.
- Managed teams of employees, including supervisors and foremen who oversee workers at the mine site.
- Conducted training sessions to educate employees on mine safety procedures and protocols to ensure their safety during work hours.
- Conducted inspections of equipment and facilities to ensure that safety standards are being met.
Senior Mine Planning Engineer
Rio Tinto Rossing Uranium
Swakopmund
01.2005 - 03.2008
- Supervise and direct work of five Engineering personnel, manage short and medium-range mine planning of two pits.
- Liaised with contractors and stakeholders on technical presentations, reports and presentations.
- Prepared reports and attended meetings with other colleagues to receive current information on pending legislation and environmental regulations.
- Performed thorough risk assessments on long-term and short-term mine plans and designs.
- Developed estimates to determine comprehensive project costs and financial reports to monitor ongoing costs at sites.
- Established and implemented safety protocols for mining operations to prevent work-related incidents.
- Championed development of new technologies and tools to improve accuracy of data collection and analysis.
- Created plans and strategies to facilitate safe extraction of mineral and energy resources.
- Planned operations, developed schedules and communicated status to aptly manage complex mining projects.
- Conducted surveys and devised drawings of mine layouts to prepare for mining operations.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Management Practice
University of Cape Town
09.2013
Bachelor of Technology - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa04.2005
National Diploma - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Afirca04.2004
Skills
- Risk analysis and management
- Project development and life cycle
- Cost reduction strategies
- Work flow planning
- Supply Chain Management
- Management information systems
- Supply chain distribution
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Risk management
- Superb time management skills
- Fluent in English and Afrikaans
- Business Development
- Business administration
- Expense reports
- Contract Negotiation
- Vendor sourcing
- Negotiation
- Strategic planning
- Employee relations and conflict resolution
- Report generation
- Cross-functional communications
- Project planning and development
- Contract Management
- Staff Management
- Operations management
- Financial Management
- Complex problems analysis
- Performance Evaluations
- Business planning
- Natural leader
- Budgeting
Affiliations
- Blasting Certification
- Advanced Mine Incident Investigation
- SAMTRAC Safety
- Labour Conflict Resolution
Accomplishments
- 20 years experience at senior management level.
- Managed mine development and successful transition to operations for B2Gold Namibia Otjikoto mine.
- Coordinated mill expansion construction project to increased throughput of 10Mtpa safely, on schedule and budget for B2Gold Mali Fekola mine.
- Managed successful TSF raise construction project to increased capacity of 64Mt safely, on schedule and budget for B2Gold Mali Fekola mine.
- Managed successful fleet expansion from 24 haul trucks to 56 haul trucks and increased annual production to 74Mt.
- Managed successful implementation of Wenco Fleet Management System on schedule and within budget.
- Implemented a continuous operating shift system at AGA Navachab Gold mine, increasing pit production output by 40%.
- Modular Mining System
- Short and long range mine planning
Timeline
General Manager of Operations
Northern Graphite Namibia
07.2022 - 08.2023
Manager of Major Capital Projects
B2Gold Fekola Mine
01.2020 - 08.2022
Assistant General Manager of Operations
B2Gold Namibia, Otjikoto Mine
01.2016 - 12.2019
Mining Manager
B2Gold Namibia, Otjikoto Mine
03.2013 - 02.2016
Mining Production Manager
AGA Navachab Gold Mine
04.2008 - 02.2013
Senior Mine Planning Engineer
Rio Tinto Rossing Uranium
01.2005 - 03.2008
Post Graduate Diploma - Management Practice
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Technology - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
National Diploma - Mining Engineering
University of Johannesburg
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