PG Van Zyl​

PG holds a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and a number of National Diplomas in Coal mining and Surface Mining from different South African Technicon’s.  He also obtained a Diploma in Project Management and has successfully completed the Advanced Executive Program through the University of South Africa. He has attended a number of technical and managerial courses throughout his career, honing his knowledge, experience and technical skills in the mining industry.

PG, a second generation miner, started in the coal mining industry in 1983 as a Learner Mining Official and has advanced through all the different facets of a modern mechanised mine, from being a production miner to a Mine Overseer on a dragline strip mine. In 1992, he was transferred to the Projects and Research Services department of one of South Africa’s largest coal mining operations as a Senior Project Engineer, focusing on research and development of mechanised mining operations and equipment.  With a number of inventions patented and pioneering research work done on coal cutting, he has distinguished himself as an expert on continuous miner cutter drum designs for optimised productivity. 

PG was then promoted in 2002 to Strategic Sourcing Manager where his knowledge of the coal mining process was essential for a comprehensive project on value chain management to drastically cut costs and increase profits for the company.

As a Senior Mining Engineering Consultant at JPMCSA, PG is frequently consulted on production improvement by mining companies and OEMs alike.  He also runs training courses for engineering companies and as a visiting fellow of the Centre for Mechanised Mining Systems, lectures on Soft Rock Mining to post graduate students at Wits University.

PG has the unique skillset of assessing almost any mining operation, developing operational strategies that will lead to productivity enhancement and formulate a range of procedures to ensure continuous improvement. He then prefers being involved in all process implementations in order to reach the expected goals.