EKOW MUNKO MENDS MINTAH
Nsawam
Summary
Mining professional with proven expertise in optimizing extraction processes and ensuring operational efficiency. Skilled in mine planning and operations management, geological analysis, safety management, and project planning. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving operational goals. Adaptable to changing needs and highly reliable in dynamic environments.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Mine Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
Akyem Operations
06.2021 - Current
- Coordination and supervision of mine engineering, geotechnical and hydrological engineering and survey works
- Supervision of production accounting
- Leading the generation of forecast mining and process physicals whilst ensuring inputs from key stakeholders are incorporated and timelines are met
- Mentoring and training team to increase bench strength of the department
- Acting technical services manager with oversight responsibility of Mine Geology and Operations Services (Tailings Storage Facility and Mine Water Treatment Plant management to ensure their operations meet environmental and regulatory requirements)
Senior Medium Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
Akyem Operations
03.2015 - 05.2021
- Responsible for the generation of Life of Mine (LOM) plans and two-year rolling forecasts whilst ensuring strict adherence to all corporate requirements
- Responsible for the planning and scheduling of long and short term designs of the open pit
- Responsible for Life of Mine Operations cost generation and management of cost generation tools
- Conduct Life of mine truck requirements and forecasting
- Collaborate on special projects with other mine departments and corporate consultants
- Conduct specialized projects aimed towards optimizing the whole mining operation
- Produce, document and communicate medium term mine plans that optimize the extraction of the resource taking into consideration safety
- Responsible for Life of Mine Waste Rock Dump scheduling
- Pit and Waste Rock Dump designs
- Supporting pit optimization efforts for growth projects and cut-off grade calculations for end of year reserves and resources reporting
- Responsible for providing cut-off grade guidance to the site, aligned to regional strategies
- Responsible for monthly and quarterly cost review analysis and providing variance explanations to Mine leadership
- Stockpile strategy updates in alignment with budget physicals
- Closure and post-closure designs and costing with emphasis on EIS commitments
- Mentoring of junior engineer in mine planning and project activities
Senior Short Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
Akyem Operations
03.2014 - 02.2015
- Manage a team of seven (5) mining engineers and lead the team in all aspects of mine planning
- Supervise short term planning as well drill and blast engineering activities
- Conduct haulage studies and truck forecasting on weekly and monthly basis
- Pit, Waste Dump, Haul Road, Ramp, Drainage, Diversion Channels designs and management
- Mentor and train junior mining engineers
- Provide continuous day to day engineering advice and guidance to the operations group
- Manage and provide technical advice to contractors engaged by department to carry out various technical projects such as diversion channels, clearing/stripping projects
- Stockpile Management and Mill Feed optimization using Minesight Material Manager
Short Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
Akyem Operations
10.2012 - 02.2014
- Provide weekly, monthly and quarterly mining plans for Mine Operations with emphasis on stripping ratio and average grade to ensure budget plan achievement
- Generation of weekly, monthly & quarterly dumping plans
- Generation of weekly, monthly and quarterly mill feed blending plans to achieve budgeted ounces
- Stockpile and road designs
- Short range pit design modifications to mitigate geotechnical instability and improve pit access
- Assist in the implementation of complex mining engineering plans for mine development
- Develop and evaluate mine plans (designs and schedules of pits, dumps and projects) in accordance with geotechnical, environmental and operational requirements
- Generate end of month maps that compare budget/forecast face positions with actual EOM face positions, and report out at monthly planning meetings
- Coordinate planning tasks with other departmental groups – Operations, Geology, Processing etc
- Coordinate and provide technical support to other groups with respect to operational issues noted in the field
Acting Senior Mining Engineer, Drill and Blast
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
Ahafo Operations
06.2012 - 09.2012
- Life of Mine explosives and accessories budgeting based on mine production forecast
- Bench master planning for pits detailing, pattern sizes, sump locations, type of blast and direction of drilling and blasting of various sections to produce safe working pits
- Life of Mine drill fleet requirement studies and justification to match life of mine production requirements
- Drilling and Blasting cost analysis; identifying areas that increase cost of the operation and finding means to ensure that these escalated costs are minimized
- Blast Movement studies implementation to minimize ore loss and dilution during blasting
- Fragmentation analysis and studies of subsequent implication on dig rates of excavating equipment through the blasted muck
- Mentoring and supervising junior engineers through daily tasks
Mining Engineer, Drill and Blast
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
Ahafo Operations
09.2010 - 06.2012
- Producing monthly plans based on budget plans and reconciling against actual at end-of-month
- Producing weekly blast maps and reconciling against actual at end-of-week
- Producing blast simulations (tie-up plans) using ShotPlus-I for implementation by operations crew
- Producing bench plans for pits detailing pattern sizes, sump locations and type of blast for various sections to produce safe working pits
- Producing drill pattern designs and corresponding drilling and charging plans and monitoring that operations crew adhere to them on the field
- Carrying-out weekly and monthly inspections to ensure regulations are strictly being adhered to
National Service, Drill and Blast Engineering
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
Ahafo Operations
09.2009 - 08.2010
- Preparing daily and monthly drill reports
- Explosives and accessories usage reporting
- Updating the blast hole status on daily basis to know how far work on blasts has gone
- Carrying-out fragmentation analysis on blasted muck and producing reports detailing improvements and areas in need of improvement
- Assisting on specialized projects such as blast movement studies
Acting Technical Services Manager
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
Akyem Operations
- Upholding safety practices and processes within the team
- Work closely with Mining team and ensured plans to implement Short, Medium and Long-term Production were realistic and achievable
- Leadership of the technical service team through coaching, mentoring, and supporting professional development to foster a workplace that reflects team Values
- Ensure grade control and polygon compliance
- Actively participated in MRMR reporting and sign-off process
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas for process improvement, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
- Foster an active culture of continuous improvement where every member of the team is encouraged to challenge the current practice and seek improvement.
- Championed adherence to industry standards ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Facilitated clear communication between technical services team members and other departments, fostering strong working relationships across the organization.
Education
BSc. - Mining Engineering
University of Mines And Technology
Tarkwa, Ghana06-2009
Senior Secondary Certificate -
St. Augustine’s College
Cape Coast, Ghana08-2004
Skills
- Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint
- GEOVIA Whittle
- MineSight (MS3D, MSHaulage, MPSO)
- ShotPlus-I (Blast Simulation tool)
- Split Desktop and Split Online (Blast Fragmentation Analysis Tools)
- Xeras (Cost Generation Tool)
Accomplishments
- Owner's Technical Services Representative - Akyem Divestiture (April 2024 - Date)
- Patron, Akyem Women and Allies BRG (January 2021 - Date)
- Owner Mining Lead - AKOBEN 2024 Audit
- Principal Mine Engineer for Akyem Layback Study Stages 2B/3 and 4 (August 2019 - June 2021)
- Led the Mine Engineering team to provide mining options for Akyem after the 2022 Rockfall incident (July 2023)
- Explored and Implemented Wall Control Drilling Technology as part of Wall Steepening Effort (December 2023)
- Expert Blasting Engineer - Akyem Blast Movement Trials (July - December 2015)
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/07/1985
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Marital Status: Married
Languages
English, Twi (Asante)
References
- Mr. Alex Kofi Annin, General Manager, Newmont Ghana Ridge Limited, Kenyasi, Ahafo - South, (233) 24 433 4431, alex.annin@newmont.com
- Mr. Robert Owusu-Bempah, Mine Manager, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Yamfo, Ahafo North, (233) 50 132 4722, robert.owusu-bempah@newmont.com
Hobbies and Interests
- Adventure
- Watching football
- Listening to music
Other Relevant Information
- Professional Member, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration
- Graduate Member, Ghana Institute of Engineers
- Member, West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
- Holder of a Valid Ghanaian Driving License (Class C)
- Holder of a valid First Aid Certificate
Certifications
- Mine Manager Certificate (Surface), 1346, Ghana Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, 05/01/23
- Mine Superintendent Certificate (Surface), 1346, Ghana Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, 11/01/21
- Mine Captain Certificate (Surface), 1346, Ghana Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, 03/01/17
- Mine Foreman Certificate (Surface), 1346, Ghana Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, 11/01/14
- Safe and Efficient Blasting Course for Open Pits and Quarries, Orica Mining Services, Sweden, 06/01/12
- Blasting Certificate (Surface), 1346, Ghana Minerals Commission, Mines Inspectorate, 09/01/11
- Blast Design and Assessment for Surface Mines and Quarries, EduMine, Canada, 09/01/10
Timeline
Chief Mine Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
06.2021 - Current
Senior Medium Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
03.2015 - 05.2021
Senior Short Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
03.2014 - 02.2015
Short Term Planning Engineer
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
10.2012 - 02.2014
Acting Senior Mining Engineer, Drill and Blast
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
06.2012 - 09.2012
Mining Engineer, Drill and Blast
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
09.2010 - 06.2012
National Service, Drill and Blast Engineering
Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
09.2009 - 08.2010
Acting Technical Services Manager
Newmont Golden Ridge Limited
BSc. - Mining Engineering
University of Mines And Technology
Senior Secondary Certificate -
St. Augustine’s College