Due to VBKOM’s diverse pool of expertise, we can offer our clients specialised skills within a one-stop-shop culture. Our engineering, risk and project management capabilities as well as simulation and decision support expertise, makes us an ideal partner to the mining, petro-chemical, agricultural and construction industries.
Our focus on long-term client relationships combined with our technical skills ensures that our clients can fully optimise their value chain.
VBKOM delivers value-creating projects through the utilization of internationally accredited Project Managers with cross-disciplinary (technical and industry) experience backed by industry accreditation, participation, and affiliation.
The VBKOM Risk Management team understands and manages uncertainties by systematically identifying possible hazards in a work process.
We evaluate the options and scenarios for optimal decision-making. Project and operational situations typically present multiple potential options and decision alternatives, each with varying degrees of probability, associated risk or potential success.
We live in a world where data is abundant in the project environment, and it is key to extract intelligence from the project that serves the various forums and stakeholders of the project.
Operational readiness is the function within a project that represents the project owner's interests.
We offer a wide variety of services to the mining industry, ranging from specific equipment to overall mining system requirements.
The VBKOM Geological Consulting Services focus on high-quality geological input in all aspects of Mineral Resource definition.
Our metallurgical consulting services focus on optimising the extraction of minerals, identifying niche markets and supplying fit-for-purpose solutions to maximise value for the client.
We are well versed in the Reporting requirements and terminologies for all major Reporting Codes, including SAMREC (2016), JORC (2012) and NI 43-101.
The need for raw minerals worldwide is vast, and with the drive within the energy transition, the need for what is deemed as vital for world economies.
We focus on improving and integrating people, processes, technology, and infrastructure on mining- and capital-intensive projects and operations.
Critical minerals are metallic and non-metallic mineral resources that are deemed to be vital to world economies, and South Africa has a part to play.
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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.
Namibian-born Jani grew up all over Namibia, and by the age of 11, her family moved to Potchefstroom, and finally to Pretoria. When Jani was younger, she dreamed of becoming a Rally Driver, and shares “I might still become one!”
Jani started at VBKOM in the Project Management department in 2011 and shares, “Providing project management services within the mining industry, has taught me that a can-do attitude, excellence, and innovative solutions make all the difference in our delivery to our clients.”
With the organizational redesign that VBKOM went through and Jani’s great passion for seeing the VBKOM clients’ successes being realised, she made the big decision to pursue the challenges of a Business Development role. She will harness her project management knowledge and skills to identify the possibilities and craft solutions to the benefit of not only the VBKOM clients’ but of the whole of VBKOM.
Outside of the work environment, Jani’s hobbies include crafts, do-it-yourself projects, being outside and extensive gardening, she shares that she has about 200 plants in her greenhouse, of which her orchids are her favourite.
Tiaan visited the University of Pretoria during an open day, knowing he wanted to venture into engineering, but not yet sure in which field. A presentation on Statistics and Business by Professor Paul Kruger was the final tip of the scale for Tiaan to pursue a career in Industrial Engineering.
He joined the VBKOM-family in 2014, and shares, “I am utterly euphoric about the work I do as an Industrial Engineer because it allows me to support and improve businesses.” One of the most satisfying aspects of Tiaan’s career is being able to work with inspirational people using simplistic tools, like Excel, to solve complex problems.
Apart from being a solution finder, Tiaan loves the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. He has the ability to rally excitement and enthusiasm in others with the ideas he has for a better future.
At home, Tiaan is husband to his lovely wife, Andrea, and father to his precious little girl, Adeleine. Becoming a father has been one of the most joyous moments in his life. Tiaan’s family welcomed another bundle of joy, a son Edrich, in 2020.
Tiaan is a self-confessed ‘Foodie’ who enjoys tasting the cuisines from places he travels to and appreciates events where food and wine are paired that enhance the dining experience.
An accomplished business leader and a dynamic business development manager with a total of over 18 years' work experience. My experience in leading, coaching, mentoring and coordinating technical; administrative; customer service; sales teams; account management and business development - spearheading effective sales, customer service and market penetration strategies positions me to bring great impact and move organizations forward. I excel at connecting with key decision-makers and quickly building profitable, lasting partnerships and relationships which sustain revenue growth.
For as long as the Pretoria-born Chantelle can remember, she has always found joy in being creative in any way possible. She comes from a family that has found a very fine balance between technical and creative ability, and from a young age, she has always been encouraged to find creative solutions to anything that she might face.
Chantelle has an excellent memory, and she likes making associations with every piece of new information. Growing up, she wanted to become a software developer, but the coding languages felt too restricted to her, she then wanted to venture into graphic designing but did not like the fact that she had to stay ‘within’ the lines. Chantelle opted to study Communication at the North West University, where the diversity within the discipline left the door wide open to channel her creativity going forward in her career.
After completing her studies, Chantelle worked as a technical sales representative for a renewable energy firm but needed to find a greater creative release in her work life. When reflecting on the progression of her career path, Chantelle shares, “I just know that I always wanted to be able to create. I always wanted to be in the background where I can help someone else shine. At VBKOM I have the opportunity to do just exactly that within marketing.”
After hours, she likes to relax at home with her husband, Jaco, and their two Yorkies. They enjoy cooking together and spending time with a few great friends.