Rhulani Maluleke

Having worked in the minerals industry for the last 26 years, my passion remains in the development of strategies for extraction, and value creation up to trading of various commodities including Gold, Copper, Zinc, Other Basemetals, Precious Metals and critical metals. 

Rhulani’s working experience started at BHP Billiton in June 1998 as a Trainee Metallurgist, where he was responsible for bacteria leaching pilot plant commissioning, operation sampling and control, and Electrolytic Manganese at MMC in Krugersdorp also gained experience at Samancor in 1999 as part of his practical requirements whilst completing his B.Tech.

He then joined Anglo Research in January 2000 where he worked as a Metallurgist Lab Technician, conducting tests on atmospheric leaching and solvent extraction. In January 2002 Rhulani was promoted to Senior Metallurgist where he was a project leader in several projects and was involved in the day to day running of conceptual research studies. Projects including Pilot Plant and commissioning of Skorpion Zinc, Mantos Blancos, RBMR, Zincor 777, Konkola.

Rhulani was based in Namibia for two years and two months (May 2006 – July 2008). In 2006 he was promoted to Technical Metallurgist and joined Anglo Platinum Base where he was responsible for managing projects, designing units for the plant,commissioning of HCL Plant at SX, Commissioning of Carbon Column (SX, EW), troubleshooting, problem solving and the optimisation of the plant.He was later promoted to Production Manager (Process department) in June 2007.

From Namibia, he joined the Rustenburg Angloplatinum Basemetal Refineries (Another division of Anglo American) as the Technical Superintendent at the MC Plant, involved in the commissioning of the New Matte Plant and Rhodium circuit. Currently he is working as managing director in a company he established in 2008 (HAPE), developed a Lab and lab systems (ISO 17025 accreditation). Rhulani was approached by Kuyasa Mining executives to run their operation as plant manager for their Delmas Coal Operation in 2013 – 2014. Development of SASOL Twistdraai Export Plant Coal Lab ISO 17025 processes.

As the founder and owner of HAPE, Rhulani in recently between 2015 – 2017, has been involved in projects for the development of flowsheets to retreat ilmenite tailings at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM, Rio Tinto); Skorpion Zinc (Namibia – Vedanta Group) Metallurgical Optimization Project; Gekko Imerys JV (Namibia) for the development of a lab for testing graphite; Barrick Gold Nevada (USA) Management Consulting in Metallurgy; Technical Consulting (COO role) for a Junior Mining Group La Brie Mining.

He also occupied a position as a Principal Strategic Metallurgical Consulting at Global Mining Corporation a company based in the USA on optimization of Cu hydrometallurgical plants in Chile BHP Billiton Copper mines (Leaching, Concentrators, SX & EW) at Spence, Cerro Colorado and Escondida in 2011 - 2012.

Rhulani became one of the alternate directors at DTE, and assists in Business Development and as well as in Process Engineering, as and when required by the team. Involved in the design work for the Whole Ore Leach Project for KCC in Sep – Oct 2015.

In 2018 till 2023–todate, Anglo Gold Ashanti requested four Commissioning Metallurgists for their USD 2.1 Billion expansion combination Plant. As the lead commissioning met team, Rhulani assumed the role of commissioning manager, which included the 990tph 3 stage Crusher Plant, a 837tph Ball Mill, a Trash removal linear screening unit and the conversion of then first 4Leach Tanks to CIL. The project evolved and 3 more CIL Tanks were converted. The ramp up and further upscaling and integration of the circuit were necessitate with Rhulani assuming roles including Engineering Metallurgist, setting up roles of Superintendent Leach and Recovery, including the Elution circuit optimization process. Rhulani is currently the specialist Metallurgical Engineer, and Line Manager in the Processing Plant, assisting in the Production and Improvement Projects.

In his career he has worked on several process engineering projects and has a proven trackrecord. Rhulani comes across as confident person and communicates well. He describes himself as principle based and a fast learner. He works well under pressure, has strong problem solving abilities and works well with people.

Rhulani is an M Tech Chemical Engineering graduate from the Cape Technikon and also is a MBA graduate from Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria, as well as Production Management certificate from UNISA.