From mining beginnings to mastery

Senior Mine Planner’s graduation marks a personal and professional triumph

Senior Mine Planner and Surveyor, Thabang Matlala

Growing up, Thabang Matlala was surrounded by people who earned a living through mining. His father inspired him to be the professional he is today. Thabang’s early connection to the industry came full circle with his graduation from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in May 2026, where he earned a Master’s degree in Sustainable Mining by dissertation. 

A senior Mine Planner at Menar, in charge of the company’s opencast operations under Canyon Coal, Khanye and Gugulethu Collieries, Thabang spent his formative years living at the Tavistock residential settlement in Witbank, Mpumalanga. “I lived in a community where everyone worked at the mine,” he recalls. Mining was the bread and butter of the community and the language of the day, especially at home, where Thabang’s father, who was a Mine Surveyor, became his son’s hero.

“Because my father was a disciplinarian, I grew up to appreciate that everything is surrounded by logic and numbers.  Essentially, that’s how my brain is wired,” he explains. After finishing his matric at Hoerskool Generaal Hertzog in 2014, Thabang obtained several qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Mine Surveying at UJ, making him a second-generation Mine Surveyor in his family.  He also obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Mineral Resources Management and has accumulated years of experience working for other coal mining companies before joining Menar in 2025.

His Master's thesis focused on sustainability and mine rehabilitation, a topic he is passionate about.  Thabang is also passionate about giving back to the industry and dedicates his spare time to writing academic papers that are published in industry journals. He also serves as Vice Chairman for the Institute of Mine Surveyors Southern Africa, Mpumalanga branch and was recently appointed as the Partnerships Manager for the University of Johannesburg Mining and Survey Alumni Forum (UJMASAF).  He is currently focused on getting his mine surveyors' certificate of competency and looks forward to playing a part in helping the company develop major pipeline projects.