Job Purpose To lead and supervise all crushing operations during the shift, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance of the primary crushing plant. The Senior Shift Supervisor coordinates control room and field operators, manages process stability, ensures equipment integrity, and supports production goals for downstream zinc processing. Key Responsibilities Shift Leadership & Coordination Take full operational responsibility for the crushing plant during shift. Lead a team of operators (Control Room Operators, Field Operators, ROM/APRON Feeder Operators, Senior Plant Operators). Conduct pre‑shift briefings, safety discussions, and task allocations. Ensure effective shift handovers and communication between crews. Crushing Plant Operational Oversight Oversee operation of Primary gyratory crusher, ROM bin, dump pocket, rock breaker (if applicable), apron feeders, scalping equipment, primary conveyors, and transfer chutes. Ensure stable ore flow, optimal crusher loading, and consistent product size. Adjust operational parameters in coordination with control room. Safety Management Enforce compliance with Mine Health & Safety Act (MHSA), LOTO procedures, permit‑to‑work systems, safe dumping, mobile equipment protocols, machine guarding, and access control. Conduct workplace inspections and identify hazards. Lead incident response and ensure proper reporting and escalation. Process Monitoring & Optimisation Monitor metallurgical performance indicators such as feed rate, crusher power draw, and product size. Identify bottlenecks and proactively correct process upsets. Assist with ore blending and ore type management. Work closely with metallurgists to optimise plant performance. Equipment Condition Monitoring Ensure operators conduct routine inspections of crusher lubrication & hydraulic systems, feeder chains, pans, wear components, conveyor belts, rollers, skirting, spillage, chute blockages, spill points, and screen health. Report abnormalities and follow up on maintenance actions. Breakdown Response & Troubleshooting Take leadership during breakdowns and stoppages. Coordinate safe isolation and restart with electrical and mechanical teams. Assist with root cause identification of recurring issues. Minimise downtime and ensure structured recovery. Reporting & Administration Complete shift production reports, downtime logs, safety reports, checklists, and inspection forms. Record shift events, deviations, and corrective actions with accuracy. Required Skills & Competencies Technical Competencies Strong understanding of gyratory crusher mechanics, ROM bin and apron feeder behaviour, conveyor operation & protection systems, and process control (SCADA/DCS). Knowledge of crushing metallurgy (ore size, hardness, throughput control). Ability to diagnose operational issues. Leadership Competencies Strong communication and authority in managing plant operations. Able to lead teams and work under pressure. Excellent planning and decision‑making skills. High safety awareness and operational discipline. Qualifications & Experience Minimum Requirements Grade 12 (Matric). 5–7 years experience in crushing or mineral processing operations. 2+ years in a senior operator or leadership role. Knowledge of MHSA and crushing safety standards. Able to work shifts, overtime, and callouts. Preferred NQF Level 4 or higher in Mineral Processing / Plant Operations. Experience in zinc, lead, or base metals mining. Supervisory or leadership training (e.g., First Line Management). Experience with major OEM gyratory crushers (Metso, Sandvik, FLSmidth). #J-18808-Ljbffr