A heart for coal processing
Khanye Plant Manager, Patrick Mkhatshwa
Patrick Mkhatshwa, Plant Manager at Khanye Colliery, has over 15 years of coal processing experience and a deep commitment to developing people. Born in Nelspruit’s Nkomazi area, he completed his schooling in Hendrina before pursuing his studies in electrical and mechanical engineering up to N4 level. He also holds an Advanced Coal Preparation certificate and Management Development certificate.
His responsibilities include overseeing functions like plant performance, slurry dam control and the filter press at Khanye. “The key is to keep the plant stable and meet our targets,” he remarks. Currently, his team has about 78 people working at the plant on a four-shift system. His leadership style is built on discipline, accountability, and team development. “That’s how I motivate people to show interest, and lead by example,” he says.
Patrick entered the mining industry as a lab sampler 17 years ago and then moved into an analyst role. By March 2010, he joined Ingwenya Mineral Processing as a plant assistant. He was eventually promoted to team leader, then operator. After obtaining his Coal Prep certificate, he advanced to shift supervisor and plant foreman in 2017.
By 2020, Patrick had secured his first role as a plant manager. After the operation where he was stationed closed in 2023, he briefly worked at another site before being appointed at Khanye. “One thing I appreciate about coal processing is that it is a vibrant industry, and the results are instant,” Patrick says.
