Chief Ventilation Engineer

At Valterra Platinum, we reimagine mining to improve people’s lives. As the world’s leading primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), our success is built on innovation, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to health, safety, and environmental stewardship. We are currently seeking an experienced Chief Ventilation Engineer to lead our ventilation and occupational hygiene function across a large, complex conventional underground mining operation.

Role Purpose

The Chief Ventilation Engineer is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the mine's ventilation, refrigeration, and occupational hygiene systems. The role ensures legal compliance, risk reduction, and the maintenance of a healthy and safe working environment in alignment with Section 7(2) and oversight of multiple Section 12.1 appointees as per the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).

Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic direction and legal oversight for ventilation and hygiene across multiple shafts and disciplines.
• Lead a team of Section 12.1 legal appointees, ensuring execution of statutory duties, compliance with MHSA, and alignment with Group Standards.
• Ensure disaster preparedness through development, implementation, and review of emergency response plans and fire risk mitigation strategies.
• Represent the mine at internal and external forums, audits, and inspections, including DMRE engagements.
• Ensure accurate budgeting and management of CAPEX and OPEX for VOHE Departmental requirements. Manages resources to deliver section business targets.
• Ensure the department is adequately resourced to meet regulatory requirements.
• Develop and execute strategies to optimise main VOHE infrastructure and departmental system
• Develop and execute strategies to improve departmental efficiency
• Develop, implement and review VOHE related risk assessments (baseline risk assessment, bowtie’s, issue-based risk assessment, and other forms of relevant risk assessment)

• Develop, implement, review and drive compliance with mandatory Codes of Practice for thermal stress, noise, airborne pollutants, prevention of mine fires, emergency preparedness, confined spaces, prevention of flammable gas explosions, QAQC and self-contained self-rescuers. This includes new MCOPs that are published from time to time.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant legal, environmental, occupational health and safety and risk management standards and leading practices.
• Demonstrates safety leadership, sustainable development and Valterra Platinum values.
• Interpret corporate strategy & guideline into systems, procedures, and standards

Technical and Operational Excellence

• Design and review mine ventilation and refrigeration layouts that are assessed and aligned to Life-of-Mine planning, production targets, and sustainability goals.
• Oversee advanced ventilation and heat modelling using VUMA, VentSim, and similar software.
• Conduct airflow and thermal requirement calculations, and drive airflow optimisation.
• Ensure system monitoring and continuous performance analysis, including lamproom management, early warning systems, auxiliary fan control, and gas detection infrastructure.
• Lead investigations of ventilation-related incidents and ensure implementation of remedial controls.
• Contribute to strategic technical input for mining layouts, ventilation construction planning, and critical infrastructure optimisation.

Occupational Hygiene Oversight

• Ensure implementation of occupational hygiene systems to identify, assess, respond to and control health risks that cause illness or adverse effects to people.
• Supervise hygiene surveys, baseline risk assessments, legal reporting, and system linkage to medical surveillance.

Mentorship and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coach and mentor Section 12.1 appointees and VOHE teams to enhance capability and legal compliance.
• Promote an inclusive, safety-first culture aligned with Valterra Platinum values of Care and Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Develop and drive training strategies that uplift the skill competency of the VOHE Department.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Represent mine on relevant VOHE forums (Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa, Minerals Council of South Africa and DMRE workshops)

• Legal requirement: Chamber of Mines (COM) Certificate in Mine Environmental Control
• Training, via courses, formal training or practical experience in:

•  Occupational Health legislation
• Management system formulation and implementation
• Safety, Health and Environmental integration
• Hazard identification and risk assessment
• Extensive computer literacy in MS Office, SAP,
• Specialised technical programs (VUMA/VentSim/Deswik/Microstation)
• Mines Rescue Services Manager in Control

• Practical experience of at least 10 years + in the Ventilation field and at least 5 years as legally MHSA 12.1 appointee
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of management systems and database formulation
• Member of Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa
• Sound knowledge pertaining to people management
• Working knowledge of specialist Ventilation and Refrigeration computer simulation program
• Building and maintaining a healthy relationship with the DMRE
• Staying abreast in potential changes to legislation and inputs to new legislation.

Our GBV Stand

Platinum takes a stand against gender-based: “We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch”

What We Offer



When you join Valterra Platinum, you can expect to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package. But more than this, you’ll find yourself in an environment where the opportunities for learning and growth are second to none. From technical training to leadership programmes, we bring out the best in our people. There are plenty of opportunities to move onwards and upwards too. We’re a large, successful multinational company – and we’re still growing all the time.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.

Closing date: 03 June 2025