Wilhelm Warschkuhl

Principal Mining Engineer

Wilhelm, better known as “Willie” to his friends and colleagues, was born and raised in Pretoria.  Growing up, Willie was set on becoming a Wildlife Guide, but seeing the career growth of his father at Exxaro, started getting interested in Mechanical Engineering.

He enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study Mechanical Engineering, but Mining Engineering became something he started showing more interest in.  He says, “Mining spoke to me.  The close relationship between the earth and geography, and then add in the technical processes going into extracting the minerals…”

In his third year as a Mechanical Engineering student, the interest in Mining Engineering was just too great, and he changed his major.  A fantastic decision on his part, because he was able to channel his interest into a passion and a career.

Willie started his career in Mining as a graduate in BECSA – BHP Billiton Energy Coal.  He moved into consulting after that, and one of the most satisfying aspects of being a mining engineering consultant is to complete projects and seeing the contribution he makes towards the client’s success.

Outside of work, Willie is a family man, and he and his wife, Debbie, have a beautiful baby daughter, who is the absolute apple of his eye.  He sees this as his greatest personal achievement, and shares, “Becoming a father and seeing how I can influence her and seeing her grow into a person is one of the greatest treats.”  As a family, they regularly go on holiday to his favourite destination, Mozambique, where he can enjoy fresh seafood and a cold 2M.

Ruben Els

Principal Mining Engineer

Ruben moved to Pretoria from Ohrigstad to study Mining Engineering at the University of Pretoria.  Growing up, he was an avid rugby player at school, and he wanted to become a professional in the sport.

As he got older, his focus changed to Mining Engineering, and he says, “The diversity of the mining industry, the unlimited opportunities to always learn and experience something new” influenced his career decision the most. 

After Varsity, Ruben started his career with BHP Billiton Energy Coal at Khutala Colliery as a learner official in an underground coal continuous miner production section.  During this time, he obtained vast experience in underground and surface coal mining.  It was during this time that he passed his Mine Managers Certificate on the first attempt. 

After working in the coal environment, he moved into mining engineering consulting at VBKOM.  The most gratifying part of Ruben’s career is creating mine designs and mine plans, and then seeing the implementation in practice.  To grow in his mine engineering skills, he wishes to master various software tools in order to generate an optimum solution for the Client.

When Ruben is not working, he loves lighting up a braai, hunting, fishing, and watching sport.  He is a fitness fanatic and part of the Crossfit community and likes to keep in shape this way.  He is also quite the entertainer, and can handstand walk for a few meters.

Ruben is one of the most loyal and humble people you will cross paths with. 

Brandon Okhuis

Senior Mining Engineer

Brandon is a Mining Engineer with 6 years experience in geotechnical engineering, mining engineering, research, lecturing and mentoring. Brandon is knowledgeable of current major mining and geotechnical software and has spent the first part of his career practicing geotechnical engineering with focus on surface and underground geotechnics across various commodities including: coal, chrome, copper, platinum and gold.

Brandon has thereafter progressed into consulting mining engineering where he has gained experience in block caving and sublevel caving of which his technical ability include: mine design, massive mining trade-offs, development ends and stoping blast designs, First principle cycle time estimation and realistic mining rates estimation, mine productivity analysis, underground support designs, peak and staged ventilation determinations, mining equipment trade-off and selection and accurate direct mining operating cost estimation.

Armand van Wyngaardt

Senior Mining Engineer

Armand, better known as “Arrie” to his friends and colleagues, was born and raised in Pretoria.  Growing up, Armand dreamt of becoming a professional Rugby player, but his close family members inspired him to pursue a career in engineering.

He enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study Mining Engineering.  He shares, “the most satisfying part of my work is starting a new project where, in most cases, you start with a simple two-dimensional line which you develop into a fully designed pit and production schedule.”

He started his career as a graduate mining engineer at BHP Billiton at the Khutala Colliery. Throughout Armand’s career he believes that each position he filled taught him valuable lessons, and he refers to the skills he has gained as his “toolbox of success.”

When Armand is not working, he is a very active person and enjoys jogging, mountain biking and spending time with his family in is off time. He married his best friend, Bianca, and they have a beautiful little girl together. He and his wife like to try new foods and tastes.

More than just a hobby, Armand is an avid Formula 1 and Ferrari fan, and he has sparked a bit of a F1 revival amongst his peers at the VBKOM office, with a buzz on Mondays after a race weekend.

Christiaan Botha

Senior Underground Mining Engineer

Christiaan has a passion for people and enjoys working with them, in a team environment. He is passionate about sports and is still competing in multiple sports, individual and team sports. Throughout his life, he's been in many leadership positions, from sports team captains to being part of sports clubs and university committees. His enthusiasm for engineering is based on problem-solving through logical thinking and the want to make a difference in a challenging environment.

Adriaan Kramer

Senior Mining Engineer

Growing up in Welkom in the Free State, Adriaan Kramer dreamt of becoming an engineer, an astronaut, a neurosurgeon, and even a pilot. He ultimately decided to venture into the engineering field, and shares, “I have always had a passion for the engineering field. I have always enjoyed watching the different disciplines work together in mining, and I was attracted to the mining industry based on the sheer scale of operations.”

Adriaan graduated from the University of Pretoria with an engineering degree in mining in 2010. For Adriaan, the most satisfying part of his career as a Senior Mining Engineer is that he is able to create a vision through planning.

Some of the greatest lessons Adriaan has learned in his career is that he needs to seize the opportunity to communicate, and to trust his gut instinct during difficult times. He is determined to learn, and master, the skill of programming and shares, “I would like to be able to create software tools.”

A family man, Adriaan, and his wife have a two-year-old son and a 4-month-old daughter. He is passionate about brewing, astronomy, hunting, and stock market trading.

He is a firm believer in doing everything with integrity. He shares that integrity is not something you do for others, but for yourself and your own peace of mind. Adriaan shares the VBKOM value of blending different qualities to thrive as a team, and he looks forward to becoming efficient in his new role as Senior Mining Engineer at VBKOM.

Diane Beverley-Poole

Senior Mine Planner

Diane is a SACNSP registered geological consultant providing specialized technical solutions and training. Her multifaceted work experience has afforded herthe opportunity to work on numerous mineral deposits and projects around the world:
-Resource estimation and classification
-Geological exploration, mapping and modelling
-Mine planning and optimization
-Mine design and scheduling
-Grade control
-Drillhole database management
-Skills transfer and software training
-Technical reporting writing

Elaine Ringdahl

Mining Engineer

Elaine joined VBKOM in January 2024 as a Mining Engineering Consultant.

Divine Ile

Mining Engineer

Junior Mining Engineering Consultant, Divine “Diva” Ile, was born and raised in Pretoria. Growing up, she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, and pursue a career in medicine because of how much she admires her father and his peers. After much consideration and research, she rather decided on carving her own path in mining.

Divine is an academic at heart, and she is proud of having obtained her Bachelor’s and Honour’s Degrees in Mining Engineering from the University of Pretoria. One of Divine’s biggest goals to date has been to enroll for her Master’s Degree in Mining Engineering at the University of Pretoria before turning 25 years old. She is currently completing her Master’s and is looking forward to finally attending an in-person graduation ceremony.

When asking Divine what makes her excited about the mining industry, she shares, “I really enjoy encountering the people within the mining industry. They’re always eager to share their knowledge and experiences.”

Outside of her career aspirations, Divine shares that she is an avid baker and photographer. She further enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures. The multi-lingual Divine is proficient in English and French, and she is currently learning Portuguese.

Dr Manie Kriel

Mining Engineer

Starting VBKOM in 2008 with 4 close friends was a dream come true!

I hold a Mining Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria which I obtained in 1994 and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership from UNISA, 2001. I received a Ph.D. Mining from the University of Pretoria in 2024.

I have a passion for business and would describe myself as a streetwise entrepreneur. I dream of building VBKOM into a company that will compete internationally with the best and leave a legacy. I am proud to be African and love this continent and its people. I do not like that our continent is associated with corruption and negativity, and believe that I can contribute to change this perception, through quality outputs and continuous hard work.

I started my career as a Mining Engineer with Anglo Gold at Vaal Reefs in 1995. In 1999 I had a great opportunity to move to Germany where I was privileged to work on a large mechanised open pit mine with a network of bucket wheel excavators. I received training on project management – the “German way”, and returned to South Africa to manage the commissioning of a new processing facility in Delmas, Mpumalanga. My career progressed nicely along the operational- and production management route and I was appointed as General Mine Manager at the age of 35, responsible for four alluvial diamond mines, seven beneficiation plants, and two mining towns in the Northern Cape Province. In 2006 I left production and started a “new” career as a mining consultant, something that I love and will hopefully continue doing way beyond retirement age.   

I was born and raised in Johannesburg. My dad was a blue collar worker until he started his own manufacturing business when I was in high school.  His work ethic and generosity towards others have made a huge impression on my life. I married my varsity sweetheart as soon as I graduated – 26 years of absolute bliss. Our daughter turned 12 in April. I love all things South-African – braai, rugby, nature, and good humour. We enjoy traveling abroad when the Rand exchange rate allows it.

My life philosophy is simple: “Surrounding myself with people with greater potential than myself, will ensure that I continue to grow.”

George Olivier

Mining Engineer

Growing up in Thabazimbi, George wanted to become a fighter pilot, but after meeting Oom Koos Cronje, a previous General Manager of Thabazimbi Iron Ore Mine, decided to venture into mining engineering.

After graduating from the University of Pretoria in 1999, George began his career in the mining industry as an underground coal miner at Tshikondeni Colliery in South Africa’s Limpopo Province.

In 2008, George was part of the team that founded VBKOM.  He says that some of the most satisfying moments of his career is “Experiencing so many different projects and project teams, being able to see many mines in many different parts of South Africa and the African continent.  It is also very satisfying to mentor young colleagues that join VBKOM.”

George would love to meet Patrice Motsepe, and George says “He (Motsepe) has the skill to identify value.”

George is also a family man and has three “incredibly smart and cute children” with his wife, Christel.  Christel has been one of George’s biggest anchors, and one of his greatest influencers in achieving greatness.

George enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to foreign countries, and playing squash.  George is looking forward to supporting the mining industry in identifying value across the African continent to improve lives.