Malphas moves from nature conservation to mining

General Maintenance Worker, Malphas Tau

As a general maintenance worker at Khanye Colliery, Malphas Tau’s duties include keeping infrastructure in good condition and assisting with breakdowns. Looking after grounds and working with mechanical implements is nothing new to Malphas, who joined the mine in March  2026.  He grew up in the Telperion Nature Reserve, on the border of Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, where he gained skills in infrastructure maintenance and nature conservation management.

In 2016, he finished Grade 12 at Dan Kutumela Secondary School and trained as an aircraft manufacturing artisan through Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) at Wonderboom National Airport. AHRLAC aircrafts are used by countries to conduct border patrols.

Malphas spent five years in the aviation industry before the company he worked for closed operations. Following its closure, he returned to working at the nature reserve until he secured a position at Khanye. Malphas has found the experience of working at the mine to be positive. He wants to expand his knowledge of the industry and is particularly interested in environmental management and sustainability. “The environment is welcoming, and my supervisor, Peet Schoeman is very patient and always willing to provide guidance every step of the way,” says Malphas.