Operations Controller - Shovels

We have an exciting opportunity for Operations Controller - Shovels. The purpose of this role is to Ensure safe and efficient coordination of operational and loading activities, optimise cycle performance and fleet utilisation, and uphold required safety and production standards — while operating Ultra-class and smaller shovels as part of delivering these outcomes.

We’re the best in the industry.

You’ll make us better.

Guided by our purpose and our values, we enable both high performance and purposeful action as we aim to “re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives", delivering the metals and minerals that make modern life possible – from mobile phones to medicines.

Kumba Iron Ore               

We produce high-grade iron ore, the key component in steel, widely used in construction and manufacturing across the world. Our activities include all aspects – exploration; mining; processing and blending; shipping; marketing and selling. In South Africa, we have mining operations in the Northern Cape province, as well as a head office in Gauteng, and a port operation in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape.

As our Operations Controller - Shovels your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Safety. Health, and Environment

• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with safety, health, and environmental standards when operating Ultra and smaller shovels.
• Apply SLAM, HIRA, and Mini-HIRA when assessing workplace risks across shovel sizes and operating conditions.
• Prevent vehicle and equipment interactions through strict adherence to site procedures and proactive situational awareness.
• Participate in safety meetings, raise hazards early, and ensure correct PPE usage at all times.
• Perform safety inspections at the site and issue safety declarations as part of operational oversight duties.
• Escalate potential risks and operational challenges to the supervisor promptly.

Performance and Delivery

Equipment Operation and Inspection:

• Operate designated equipment in accordance with competency certification, licence requirements, and OEM specifications to support safe and efficient operational delivery.
• Safely and efficiently operate the Ultra Shovel to deliver precise, high-volume loading aligned with production requirements and operate smaller shovels when required to support operational continuity.
• Conduct pre-shift inspections and walkarounds, ensuring all critical systems—collision avoidance, cameras, fire suppression, fatigue systems, and hydraulic controls—are fully functional.
• Ensure shovel operation remains within OEM and supplier specifications, adjusting technique when transitioning between Ultra and smaller shovels.
• Report equipment defects immediately and support maintenance teams during breakdowns or scheduled servicing.
• Ensure electric cables and mast poles are positioned according to operational procedures.
• Conduct regular inspections to identify and resolve potential issues before they affect productivity.

Loading and Production Execution:

• Ensure the loading area is made safe before and during shovel operations, identifying and mitigating hazards.
• Perform multiskilling tasks as required to support operational continuity and maintain safe working conditions in the loading area.
• Execute accurate and consistent loading to achieve payload targets, optimise pass counts, and minimise misloads or hang-ups for all truck types.
• Optimise truck–shovel cycles by maintaining smooth truck flow, reducing delays, and adjusting loading techniques based on face conditions and shovel size.
• Visually assess loading areas for hazards, face stability, and conditions affecting efficiency, adapting approach for Ultra and smaller shovels.
• Maintain clear communication with truck operators, dispatch, supervisors, and other mining personnel to ensure coordinated and safe loading operations.
• Manage loading in challenging conditions—including reduced visibility, adverse weather, guided spotting, and double-sided loading—to maintain cycle performance.
• Identify procedural deviations early and contribute to improvement initiatives that enhance cycle efficiency and equipment performance.

Incident Reporting and Operational Support:

• Immediately report equipment failures, safety concerns, and procedural deviations encountered while operating Ultra or smaller shovels.
• Participate in incident investigations, including fires, equipment failures, and high-potential events.
• Provide operational support as needed to maintain production continuity, including stepping into smaller equipment operation where necessary.
• Ensure proper shift handovers to minimise operational impact and downtime.

Housekeeping and Environment Care:

• Maintain cleanliness in and around the shovel cab, steps, windows, cameras, and work areas to ensure optimal visibility and safe operation.
• Uphold high housekeeping standards across all assigned areas and equipment types.                                                                 

This role is in the Mining (MIN) department on a band P4 reporting to the Shift Supervisor.

• Grade 12 / N3
• SA Drivers Licence
• Red Permit
• Valid Dover Certificate
• Relevant HME Licences (Shovel related)
• Competency A (advantageous)
• Legal Liability A2 (advantageous)

Technical Knowledge

• Current technical understanding, with three years of relevant operational experience in mining.
• Operational knowledge of shovel systems, including loading controls, collision prevention, and fire suppression systems.
• Understanding of pit layout, bench conditions, and the logistical flow of the hauling network.
• A thorough knowledge of technical proficiency, such as:

• Advanced hydraulic system behaviour under heavy-duty cycles.
• Accurate bucket loading control for high-volume passes.
• Understanding dig patterns and face conditions for high-capacity buckets.
• Telemetry interpretation (payload monitors, cycle-time dashboards, system alerts).
• Fuel-efficiency optimisation techniques.
• Multi-pass precision for Ultra class (>40m³ bucket).

Who we are?

Anglo American is a global diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine.

We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate and for society at large. Anglo American is re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives.

How we are committed to your safety

Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry. Not only that, we’re also continually investing in new technologies – from drones to data analytics – that are helping to make mining safer.

Inclusion and Diversity

Anglo American 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.