Strata Control Officer at Sasol

Sasol Mining operates six coal mines that supply feedstock for our Southern African integrated value chain. The coal supplied to Secunda Synfuels Operations (SSO) is mainly used as gasification feedstock and some is used to generate electricity. The coal supplied to Sasolburg Operations (SO) is used to generate electricity and steam. We also export coal from the Twistdraai Export Plant to international power generation customers via the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.  

ABOUT THE ROLE / PURPOSE OF THE JOB

• Strata Control Officer (SCO) assess the underground mining workings for stable excavations and roof and sidewall skin management
•  Evaluate the effectiveness of recommended support and do compliance audits of controls implementation in supported areas
• Complete reports of audits and assessments and report yellow and red strata triggers to applicable supervisory levels to ensure safe working environment    

FUNCTIONAL OUTPUTS 

• Apply the Rock Engineering systems and tools
• Conduct routine, ad-hoc or requested inspections to assess rock mass condition and control plan effectiveness
• Monitor compliance to support and excavation standards
• Participate in short term planning and production meetings
• Provide coaching to mining personnel during routine inspections
• Respond to red triggers and report to Rock Engineer by quickest means available
• Assist with the proactive identification of significant ground-related hazards; and
• Provide appropriate participation in or assistance with the investigation of fall of ground incidents and reportable falls of ground including the completion of the rock engineering aspects of the official accident report and inputs into the SAMRASS 3 report

LEADERSHIP AND VALUES 

• Qualified as Strata Control officer and found competent by Chamber of Mines
• Develop self in obtaining Rock engineer certificate of Competency
• Be able to work independently within the safety framework of the mine
• Safety mindset as top priority
• Report writing to Rock Engineer Services department and Operations
• Compliance and corrective actions must be issued and followed up
• Integrity to be demonstrated

WORK RELATIONSHIPS, TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION 

• Facilitation skills and training capability to coach operation teams
• Communication skills and assertiveness to discuss findings and report on deviations and control effectiveness.
• Contribute and give inputs in the short-term planning meetings and work sessions with individual mine overseers and in team base at meetings"     

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Please note:

The Sasol Group / Sasol Mining will never request you to make any cash deposits/payments as part of the recruitment process.

In addition to a pre-employment medical examination, some positions may require a physical fitness assessment as part of the normal selection criteria. 
 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strata Control certificate of Competency (Coal) issued by Chamber of Mines (Must)
• Applicable driver’s license to operate independently (Must)
• Relevant qualification (B Tech, Degree) in Geology/Mining (Wish)

Specific experience required

• Typically, 2 years underground experience as an Observer or Strata Control Officer
• Experience in Safety systems and risk assessments

 KEY COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Leadership:

• PEOPLE LEADERSHIP 

• Drives accountability by working independently and high performance       
• Fosters teamwork within the Rock Engineer department and collaboration with mine operations
• Customer focus as service to the operations
• Develops self in future in work towards obtaining Rock Engineer certificate of Competency

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Quality and Control Verification of support controls  
• Risk Assessment knowledge and application through documentation of department
• Geological mapping knowledge and application related to Strata Control
• Mine Plan Reading must be applied for planning and documentation completion
• Geological Information interpretation
• On-the-Job Training for operators, miners and artisans
• Aware of the Mine Planning actions
• Proficient in Roof and Sidewall strata control as specified in COP
• Proficient in the Bolting Cycle following the cutting cycle

• SHE COMPETENCIES
• Aware of the SHE Policies applicable           
• Take part in individual and team SHE Audit
• Risk Assessment applications as guided through Rock Engineer department ground management processes
             

 Operating environment:

• Sasol Mining consists of 6 underground coal mines in Secunda and Sasolburg
• Strata Control officer will be linked to one of the mines but must also work interdependently with other Strata Control officers
• Work in collaboration with the appointed Rock Engineers in the operations
• Primary reporting to the Rock Engineer department and secondary to the Operation
• The operations mainly consist of board and pillar CM sections as well as Stonework blasting sections for mining through structures
• Assessing extended back areas as part of responsibilities
• Strata control officers will assist with training of operators, miners and artisans and service providers where applicable