Making sure that employees are working in a safe environment and that they produce according to the set mining targets and product specifications is key to Eric Vuma’s (52) work responsibilities. He manages a team of around 60 people including ADT operators, diesel attendants, pump assistants, control room personnel, and all others that are critical to the mining process. 

Eric is a Production Foreman at Phalanndwa Extension who has been working at the mine since 2015. When he started working for the mine, he did so as a mining contractor and later that year became a Canyon Coal employee. His first position was as a Mining Supervisor, and he was appointed as Foreman in 2018. “The mining team has collectively ensured that the mine has achieved record production volumes which is very heartening,” he states. 

Eric has been working in the mining sector since 1990 and started his career as a diesel attendant. In 1998 he became an excavator operator and has worked his way up to becoming a foreman today. 

He is the father of 4 children; three boys and a girl.  Eric says that he would encourage young people to join the sector. In fact, one of his sons works for Hlomani Mining Services as an ADT operator at Phalanndwa. 

“Being an ADT Operator is a good profession and offers good growth opportunities. I am proud my son has joined the mining sector. I just want to add that to be in the mining sector one needs discipline and health, and safety are especially important for mining, our collective goal must be to achieve the goal of zero harm,” Eric remarks.