VBKOM’s team of experts have created amazing solutions for each of our clients, which expand over various commodities.
Ferrous metals are generally mined as bulk commodities, which necessitates specialist skills for mine planning, unit cost optimisation and strategy throughout management.
VBKOM focuses on the raw commodities related to the steel and alloys industries such as iron ore, manganese, chrome and vanadium.
South Africa is the world's sixth-largest iron ore producer, and the third-largest iron ore exporter (2019 statistics).
We offer a wide variety of services to the iron ore mining industry, from feasibility studies to closure plans.
We are not your typical engineering consultancy. We rather see ourselves as our clients' strategic partners.
The global Manganese market is projected to register a Compound Annual Growth Rate of more than 4% during the 2022-2027 forecast period.
VBKOM offers a wide variety of services to the Manganese mining industry from turn-around projects to feasibility type studies.
VBKOM is not your typical engineering consultancy. We rather join hands as our clients' strategic partners.
Base metals are widely used in commercial and industrial applications and are more abundant in nature than precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. It is for this reason that base metals trade at lower prices.
Base metals are widely found in Africa, and include aluminium, copper, cobalt, lead, nickel, tin, zinc, mineral sands, and industrial aggregates.
Bauxite is not a mineral, but a rock that is composed of aluminium-bearing minerals, and is the principal ore of aluminium.
Copper has a multitude of uses across the globe, and is such an immense industry that it is often used as the basis for determining global trade.
VBKOM offers a wide variety of services to the Copper mining industry from Mineral Resources to production ramp-up.
Earth holds an estimated total of 6.3 billion tonnes of discovered and undiscovered Copper. We've been delivering a variety of services to our copper mining clients for more than a decade.
Mineral sands and heavy mineral sands form the base of many everyday items used in modern life.
We understand the Heavy Mineral Sands and Mineral Sands Mining Value Chain, and deliver customised solutions to our clients.
Heavy Mineral Sands such as Ilmenite and Rutile are used to produce Titanium, amongst other uses.
Precious metals have a high economic value and their natural occurrence in nature is rare. The VBKOM team is able to provide an experienced, one-stop service within the platinum group of metals, gold, diamonds and gemstones.
Southern Africa is a leading diamond producer, delivering some of the largest and rarest diamonds in the world.
Although all diamonds are precious, not all are equal. There are various factors at play when determining its value.
VBKOM offers a wide variety of services to the diamond mining industry, from pre-feasibility studies to operational support.
The Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are made up of six metals. Approximately 80% of the economically viable platinum-bearing reserves are located in southern Africa.
The precious metals Basket Price in several Southern African mines is referred to as the 4E price, which is comprised of platinum, palladium, rhodium, and gold.
The Hydrogen Economy refers to the decarbonisation of economic sectors by the use of zero-emission production.
PGMs versatility lends itself to various industrial-, technology- and commercial applications.
Rhodium, palladium, and platinum all form part of the Platinum-Group Metals and share similar properties. These metals are typically mined as a collective.
We understand the Platinum Group Metals Mining Value Chain and deliver customised solutions to our clients.
We've been delivering a variety of services to our PGM mining clients for more than a decade. Unearth the opportunities by partnering with VBKOM.
Energy is the life source of human existence. It enables the production of food, fuel transportation, and power communication channels across the world. Energy is the key enabler to progress and development. Without it, infrastructure development and GDP growth will be constrained.
Africa is electricity-starved, but it is blessed with an abundance of natural energy resources, such as coal and uranium.
Despite the global transition to Green Energy, the coal sector remains a significant part of South Africa's future with promising investments for the next generation.
We understand the entire coal Mining Value Chain, and we have been delivering customised solutions to our clients in the coal industry for more than thirteen years.
Critical minerals are metallic and non-metallic mineral resources that are deemed to be vital to world economies. Demand, supply, supply chain risks and technological advancement determine are all factors in how various countries determine which are critical to their economy.
Various minerals could be determined as being critical, herewith an illustration the production share of critical minerals worldwide by majority producing country as at 2021
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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, and carbon-copy son, Edrich.
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.
While holding a qualification in Electrical Engineering, Gobusamang (or "Go busa mang?" as he prefers to write it) discovered his passion for Sales and Business Development early in his career. His journey began as a technician and evolved into a technical consultant. It was during this consulting phase, accompanying sales teams to diverse meetings and providing technical support, that he found a genuine interest in the world of sales.
Over the years, Go busa mang? has embraced various sales, customer service and business development roles within multinational companies. His exposure to different industries, gained while attending expos and road shows, led him to develop a particular fascination with the mining sector. The lure of technology, mechanization, and automation within mining operations captivated him, and he was fortunate to align himself with companies engaged in mining-related ventures.
In his role as a Business Development team member, Go busa mang? is fuelled by his passion for travel, relationship-building, and the establishment of enduring structures that create long-term value. His commitment extends to fostering synergies between the company and its customers, partnering with clients to achieve both companies’ business objectives and growth, and crafting compelling value propositions for strategic associations that foster lasting relationships.
In addition to the Electrical Engineering qualification, Go busa mang? has acquired other qualifications, including in Marketing and Management, as well as in Business Administration.
When not at work, Go busa mang? enjoys a long list of different things – including great moments with family and friends. Name it – he will try it.
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.
Groblersdal-born Koketso Nakana dreamt of becoming a sound engineer or a doctor, but her knack for statistics and numbers saw her pursuing a diploma in Statistics from the University of Dar es Salaam. She held a bursary from Statistics SA. Koketso is currently studying towards obtaining a BCom Economic degree from UNISA.
Straight after matriculating, Koketso Au Paired. She loves to travel and has set a goal to travel to five African counties within 3 years. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Koketso and her husband have a daughter, and she shares, "I spend a lot of time with my daughter and siblings. They are my life.”
Koketso brings unparalleled energy to the work environment. Outside of work, Koketso’s creativity is expressed through make-up artistry, playing the bass guitar, singing, and photography. Her keen eye and passion for capturing images have seen her being nicknamed “Paparazzi” in the office.
Koketso believes in walking with honour, keeping promises, and being straightforward. She looks forward to exploring and learning about her inner strength to grow in her role as Contract Administrator.
Growing up in Mamelodi and Soshanguve, Tsietsi dreamt of becoming a medical doctor, but hearing the late Mr. Roberts, Operations Management Lecturer, speak so passionately about Industrial Engineering, Tsietsi knew he wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Tsietsi has earned the nickname “Superman” from his peers and co-workers because he always gets things done. Tsietsi enrolled for an Industrial Engineering degree at Wits University, went on to complete an Engineering degree in Technology Management at the University of Pretoria, and obtained his Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch. He is currently enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch for a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering.
He is passionate about new technology and coaching others, and has turned around a non-performing team at a previous employer by channeling his knowledge through mentoring. He shares that the best compliment he’s received from a team member is that he is a great leader, he is an inspiration, and he has the ability to change a person’s perspective.
Tsietsi’s hidden talent is cooking and trying out new recipes on his wife and daughter. He admits, “I always try a new recipe, even if most of the time it ends in a disaster.” Tsietsi’s favourite foods include Mala Mogodu (tripe), Chicken Licken’s hot wings, pork ribs, and potjiekos.