IN THE STOPE
IN THE STOPE
ROBERT HULL’S
WISE STEPS
INTO AFRICA
Automation and digitalisation
bodes well for the future of
mining in Africa, Robert Hull, vice
president mining, minerals &
metals Africa, at Worley tells
Leon Louw.
Robert, please tell us more about your background and
involvement in the mining industry
I was born in a mining town during the boom and mining
was therefore always central – which eventually lead me to
study a BSc Mining Engineering at Wits University. In my early
career I worked as an underground miner and shift overseer
at De Beers. Later, I became involved with strategic business
planning and project development at De Beers. I moved to
the mining consultancy world in 2007 and have been involved
in a multitude of projects for various clients since then.
My expertise is in project management with a mining-focused
background. In 2017 I took over the portfolio of projects for
WorleyParsons, which involved about 80% mining and the
rest were chemical and energy projects. After WorleyParsons’
acquisition of Jacobs Energy, Chemicals and Resources (ECR)
earlier this year, I took over the role of vice president mining,
minerals & metals Africa for Worley. My responsibilities include,
amongst others, the delivery of all projects and building the
mining business for the Worley Group within the continent.
What is your role in African projects?
My role is to drive the mining model throughout Africa.
However, although the focus is on mining in Africa, we also
provide mining-related skills to the global business. Worley’s
Johannesburg office is highly regarded for deep level mining
and shafts expertise and excellence in the Worley group. We
are involved in a large number of projects in various stages of
development around Africa.
Are there any trends in the African mining space that you
have identified over the past year?
We have seen quite a significant increase in both brownfield
and greenfield projects in the last six to 12 months, and
this trend is currently continuing. There is a big drive in
automation and mechanisation and Worley has done
pioneering work in this regard.
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African Mining October 2019
60
African Mining October 2019
www. africanmining.co.za