Job Summary
- Employer: Sandfire Motheo
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Ghanzi, Botswana
- Category: Mechanical
- Closing Date: 2026-10-12
Key Responsibilities
- Ensuring the maintenance program aligns with manufacturers’ recommendations, schedules, preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, and inspections.
- Developing and maintaining maintenance planning and scheduling processes, including shutdown planning, ensuring adherence to the work management process, complying with schedules, establishing task criticality, and coordinating with production teams.
- Maintaining accurate equipment maintenance history and job records, compiling and submitting monthly planning reports, analysing key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring compliance with statutory and reporting requirements.
- Collaborating on improvements in planning, scheduling, data management, and job reporting systems, and participating in initiatives to enhance planning effectiveness and efficiency.
- Coordinating labour and resources for planned maintenance work, liaising with purchasing departments to ensure timely delivery of parts, and managing contractor engagements for specialized tasks.
- Rationalizing spare parts stock holdings (e.g., Min/Max, ANSI) and ensuring the Bill of Materials (BOM) and master data list remain updated.
- Conducting cost reporting, budget planning, forecasting, and lifecycle costing of equipment, and periodically reviewing and amending cost and time estimations for maintenance tasks.
- Interpreting technical drawings, managing technical documents, and providing quality attachments for work packs (e.g., Job Hazard Analyses (JHA), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)).
- Maintaining accurate historical maintenance records, updating computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and managing and filing vendor manuals and project documents for future reference.
- Conducting weekly backlog review meetings with operational stakeholders, developing work programs, and managing contractors during site tasks, including reviewing costs and invoices.
- Incorporating safety into maintenance procedures and work orders, collaborating with the Health and Safety Department to educate employees about workplace hazards, and providing relevant training.
- Auditing and reviewing maintenance strategies to prioritize safety, regulatory compliance, and criticality.
- Tracking and monitoring maintenance compliance with health, safety, environmental (HSE), quality, and financial procedures, conducting audits to align maintenance programs with industry best practices, and reporting compliance status with variance analysis.
- Investigating accidents, incidents, and near-misses involving fleet operations, and implementing corrective actions for immediate and long-term remediation to prevent recurrence.
Requirements
- Mechanical Engineering degree or Equivalent: or Diploma
- Higher qualifications or additional certifications in relevant fields will be an added advantage.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in the maintenance planning field of which at least 3 years as supervisor or Senior planner.
How to Apply
REF Code: Ref 342
About the Company
Sandfire Motheo is a copper mining company operating in Botswana, specifically developing the Motheo Copper Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt near Ghanzi. The company is a subsidiary of Sandfire Resources, an Australian-listed mining group, and focuses on bringing the Motheo mine into production as a significant new copper operation in the country. The project represents a major investment in Botswana's mining sector, with the potential to become a substantial employer and contributor to the national economy through copper concentrate exports. Sandfire Motheo's operations in Botswana include open-pit mining and processing facilities designed to extract copper and silver from the region's sediment-hosted mineral deposits.
Developing Botswana's next generation of copper production
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Senior Maintenance Planner role in Botswana's mining sector?
Employers usually require a diploma or degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a professional registration with ERB (Engineers Registration Board) being highly advantageous. Certifications in maintenance planning software, CMMS systems, and relevant trade certificates strengthen your application. Experience with SAP PM or similar enterprise systems is often expected at senior level.
What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Senior Maintenance Planner in Botswana?
You will develop and schedule preventive and corrective maintenance plans for mechanical equipment, coordinate with operations and procurement teams, and ensure compliance with mine safety regulations. Daily tasks include reviewing work orders, forecasting spare parts requirements, and optimizing shutdown schedules to minimize production losses. Reporting on maintenance KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives is also standard.
How does the work culture and employer expectations differ in Botswana's mining industry compared to other regions?
Botswana's mining sector emphasizes strong safety compliance aligned with Mine Safety Act requirements and community engagement obligations under local employment policies. Employers expect respect for hierarchical structures, punctuality, and clear communication given the remote location of many operations. Understanding Setswana workplace etiquette and participating in company social responsibility activities can enhance your integration.
What career progression opportunities exist for Senior Maintenance Planners in Botswana?
Progression typically moves toward Maintenance Superintendent, Engineering Manager, or Reliability Manager roles depending on your specialization and leadership development. Some professionals transition into project management or consulting within Botswana's growing mining services sector. Further studies through BIUST or international institutions can accelerate advancement into executive technical positions.
What benefits are commonly offered to senior technical roles in Botswana's mining industry?
Standard packages include medical aid coverage, pension or provident fund contributions, and annual leave typically ranging from 21-30 days depending on seniority. Remote site roles often provide camp accommodation, transport allowances, and rotational leave schedules. Performance bonuses and professional development allowances are increasingly common for critical technical positions.
How should I apply for a Senior Maintenance Planner position in Botswana, and what do employers prioritize in candidates?
Submit applications through company career portals, local recruitment agencies, or professional networks like the Botswana Institution of Engineers. Employers prioritize demonstrated CMMS proficiency, local mining experience, and a track record of reducing equipment downtime through effective planning. Strong references from previous supervisors and evidence of safety leadership will distinguish your application.
