We have experience in various commodities including coal, copper, heavy mineral deposits, iron ore, industrial minerals, diamonds, manganese, rare earth deposits, platinum, gold and tungsten all over the African continent. We offer a wide variety of technical and consulting geological services to exploration companies, investors, as well the broader mining industry.
Our team combines the strengths of a wide base of practical operational experience with extensive mine planning skills in virtually all the industry leading software packages along with expert scripting and programming skills. As a result, VBKOM can offer innovative, tailor-made yet trusted mining engineering solutions for Junior Miners to listed corporate entities.
VBKOM’s metallurgical consulting services focus on optimising the extraction of minerals, identifying niche markets and supplying independent, fit for purpose solutions to maximise value for the client.
We are driven by our goal to optimise complex processes and systems. We are focused on improving and integrating people, processes, technology and infrastructure on capital intensive projects to brown fields operations across all levels and formats: plant infrastructure and logistic channels including air, rail, road, seaborne, warehouse, stock yard, and even data and information-flow.
Our range for field-tested, yet practical project management and support services and toolsets coupled with our internationally accredited staff will ensure that your project or feasibility study is scoped and planned correctly, that process controls are in place, and that critical documentation is on hand to support you in your efforts to achieve project delivery success.
VBKOM and ProjectPro©, part of the VBKOM Group of Companies, aim to promote excellence in engineering and project management by providing high quality consulting services and training.
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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.
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.
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.