Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
CAREER OBJECTIVE
References
Timeline
Generic

JOSHUA HAZELL

Lusaka

Summary

Dynamic mining professional with extensive experience at First Quantum Minerals, excelling in strategic mine planning and operational turnarounds. Proven track record in enhancing productivity and efficiency, including a 28% cost reduction through innovative scheduling. Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills drive successful project execution and team development in high-stakes environments.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

GROUP TECHNICAL SERVICES & BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

RABOTEC GHANA LTD – GHANA & GUINEA
01.2023 - Current
  • Leading technical services and business improvement across Rabotec’s mining operations in Ghana and Guinea.
  • Supporting strategic mine planning, equipment optimisation, and operational readiness across multiple sites.
  • Driving continuous improvement initiatives, cost efficiency, and productivity enhancements aligned with the company’s growth strategy.
  • Advising senior management on technical risk, operational KPIs, and long-term planning initiatives.
  • Coordinating cross-border operational strategies, contract mining models, and team development across engineering functions.

Mine Operations Strategic Planning Superintendent

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS – KALUMBILA MINE, NICKEL ENTERPRISE PROJECT
04.2022 - Current
  • Spearheaded the start-up and full-scale operations of the Enterprise Nickel Project, overseeing strategic planning, load & haul, and mine infrastructure development.
  • Implemented Smart Fleet Management Systems, improving fleet efficiency and real-time data integration.
  • Led a team of 250+ personnel to deliver production targets, infrastructure development, and overburden removal.
  • Guided short- and medium-term mine planning and resource scheduling in alignment with safety and productivity goals.

Business Improvement / Operations Manager

KAVS EQUIPMENT LIMITED – KITWE
09.2021 - 04.2022
  • Directed start-up of Nama Gold-Cobalt Project and conducted feasibility studies at Bwana Mkubwa Mine.
  • Secured new mining contracts at Lonshi (Jubilee Metals) and Lumwana Mine (Lubwe Pit).
  • Re-engineered operational workflows and advised project leads on risk, cost, and contract performance.

Various Roles

BARRICK GOLD – LUMWANA MINE
11.2015 - 09.2021
  • Acting Projects & Business Improvement Superintendent: Achieved production increase from 90Mt to 111Mt; reduced truck cycle times by 20%.
  • Strategic Mine Planning Engineer: Oversaw 103Mt annual production, developed Basalt Quarry, mentored junior engineers.
  • Medium-Term Planning Engineer: Achieved 28% cost reduction through pit redesigns and improved scheduling.
  • Short-Term Planning Engineer: Increased mine plan compliance by 22%; transitioned planning software to Deswik OPTS.

Mine Manager

KEREN MOTORS LTD / DAEWOO ENGINEERING
01.2015 - 11.2015
  • Developed and commissioned Kazungula Quarry Project from greenfield to operational stage.
  • Improved equipment efficiency by 40% and reduced injuries by 40% through safety training and operations mentoring.

Mine Operations Superintendent

TEICHMANN AFRICA – KANSANSHI MINE
06.2011 - 01.2015
  • Delivered 27Mt annual production, exceeded targets by 15%, and led workforce optimisation and cost reduction initiatives.

Mining Engineer

TEICHMANN AFRICA – TENKE FUNGURUME MINE (DRC)
05.2013 - 05.2014
  • Led short-term planning and construction of haul roads, dams, and tailings infrastructure in high-volume pit operations.

Mining Engineer

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS – KANSANSHI MINE
01.2010 - 06.2011
  • Designed and executed short-term mine plans; managed drill & blast activities and modular fleet integration.

Mine Planning Engineer

CNMC LUANSHYA COPPER MINES
01.2009 - 01.2010
  • Produced pit designs, development schedules, and operational layouts to guide mine expansion.

Undergraduate Trainee

FQML KANSANSHI MINE – UNDERGRADUATE TRAINEE
10.2007 - 12.2008
  • Assisted in short-term planning, survey work, and safety reporting during academic industrial placement.

Education

MBA - Project Management

07.2025

Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering

The Copperbelt University
Zambia
01.2008

Skills

  • Strategic Mine Planning & Execution
  • Life-of-Mine Scheduling
  • Drill & Blast Optimisation
  • Pit & Dump Design
  • Dewatering & Haul Road Planning
  • Open Pit Mining Operations
  • End-to-End Production Leadership
  • Load & Haul Optimisation
  • Mining Plant Construction
  • Grade Control
  • Project & Business Improvement
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Operational Turnarounds
  • Contract Mining Management
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • KPIs & Process Audits
  • Technology Integration
  • Deswik
  • Vulcan
  • Surpac
  • MineSched
  • SAP
  • Modular
  • Smart Fleet
  • Microsoft Project
  • Leadership & Compliance
  • Team Management
  • Safety Governance
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Mentorship & Training
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Project management
  • Strategic planning
  • Data analysis

Certification

  • Member, Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) – No. 420301152004068
  • Registered Engineer, Engineering Registration Board (ERB) – No. 220301152004068
  • Blasting Licence (All Mining Operations) – Chamber of Mines, Zambia
  • Advanced First Aid Certification – Chamber of Mines Zambia Council
  • Supervisor Competency Certificate – First Quantum Minerals

CAREER OBJECTIVE

To leverage over 16 years of technical and executive experience in mine engineering and operations to contribute strategic leadership and innovation to a forward-thinking mining organisation. I seek to drive operational excellence, optimise resource efficiency, and lead high-impact mining projects across Africa and globally, while fostering safety, compliance, and professional development in multidisciplinary teams.

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

GROUP TECHNICAL SERVICES & BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER

RABOTEC GHANA LTD – GHANA & GUINEA
01.2023 - Current

Mine Operations Strategic Planning Superintendent

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS – KALUMBILA MINE, NICKEL ENTERPRISE PROJECT
04.2022 - Current

Business Improvement / Operations Manager

KAVS EQUIPMENT LIMITED – KITWE
09.2021 - 04.2022

Various Roles

BARRICK GOLD – LUMWANA MINE
11.2015 - 09.2021

Mine Manager

KEREN MOTORS LTD / DAEWOO ENGINEERING
01.2015 - 11.2015

Mining Engineer

TEICHMANN AFRICA – TENKE FUNGURUME MINE (DRC)
05.2013 - 05.2014

Mine Operations Superintendent

TEICHMANN AFRICA – KANSANSHI MINE
06.2011 - 01.2015

Mining Engineer

FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS – KANSANSHI MINE
01.2010 - 06.2011

Mine Planning Engineer

CNMC LUANSHYA COPPER MINES
01.2009 - 01.2010

Undergraduate Trainee

FQML KANSANSHI MINE – UNDERGRADUATE TRAINEE
10.2007 - 12.2008

MBA - Project Management

Bachelor of Science - Mining Engineering

The Copperbelt University
JOSHUA HAZELL