WEZI DARFY BANDA
Solwezi
Summary
Accomplished Shift Manager with 17 years of expertise in the copper smelting industry, dedicated to maintaining cost efficiency, driving employee productivity, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Recognized for a professional, results-oriented approach that leverages exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills to enhance operational management. Proven track record in streamlining processes and optimizing performance through strategic implementation aligned with organizational objectives. Renowned for adaptability and reliability in dynamic environments, fostering collaborative workspaces that ensure seamless team operations and successful goal attainment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Officer, DBF Control Room
Kamoa Copper Smelter, Kamoa SARL
07.2024 - Current
- Daily operation of Direct-to-Blister Furnace, Waste Heat Recovery Boiler, Electrostatic Precipitator, Drying and Feeding and associated Equipment
- Trained Local staff/personnel on DCS operations regarding Direct to-Blister Furnace smelting technology.
- Daily entry and maintenance of DBF log sheet.
- Interpretation and control of Critical parameters including Slag chemistry Control, Tapping co-ordination, Bath Temperature Control, Furnace hygiene etc whilst directly reporting to the DBF Foreman
- Maintained liaisons with personnel from Raw Material Handling Plant, Slag Cleaning Furnace, Sulphuric Acid Plant, Oxygen Plant/Utilities, Operations Control Centre and personnel from other sections on matters relating to plant operations
- Ensured Blister, Slag and Waste Heat Boiler water samples were collected and delivered to Site Laboratory.
- Daily supervision of Manpower
- Ensured production targets were met by reducing Plant downtime
- Ensured safety standards were maintained at zero Lost time injuries.
- Gave input and feedback on programme development and design.
- Operated CCTV system in line with legislation regarding use of CCTV to keep activities compliant with regulations.
- Calmly responded to issues as they arose on the site, escalating incidents where necessary.
- Offered advice and guidance to Server room team, dealing efficiently with difficult nuisance alarms, revision of operational interlocks.
- Supported Clients and team through gathering information, making clear and appropriate decisions on behalf of the team.
- Implemented Standard operational procedures and protocols.
- Identified and recommended changes needed to improve plant operations.
- Carried out daily equipment checks and reported all faults and failures to personnel responsible for maintenance.
Shift Controller
Kansanshi Mining PLC
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Daily operation of Isasmelt Furnace, Matte Settling Electric Furnace, Waste Heat Recovery Boiler, Electrostatic Precipitator, Slag handling and Dump Areas, Matte Cars and Ladle handling, Furnace Feeding System and other associated Areas
- Maintained Safety, housekeeping and discipline at Primary Smelting Section.
- Preparation, issuing closing and cancelation of work, permits in Primary Smelting Area.
- Ensured all jobs were done as per Standard operating Procedure.
- Daily entry and maintenance of Government Logbook and Daily Supervisors' Report.
- Daily entry and maintenance of Isasmelt log sheet.
- Interpretation and control of Critical parameters including Slag chemistry Control, Tapping co-ordination, Bath Temperature Control, Furnace hygiene etc With usage of PI historian software whilst directly reporting to the Process Controller and Primary Smelting Production Supervisor.
- Maintained liaisons with personnel from Raw Material Handling Plant, Matte Settling Electric Furnace, Sulphuric Acid Plant, Oxygen Plant/Utilities and personnel from other sections on matters relating to plant operations
- Ensured Matte, slag and Waste Heat Boiler water samples were collected and delivered to Site Laboratory.
- Daily supervision of Manpower
- Ensured production targets were met by reducing Plant downtime
- Ensured safety standards were maintained at zero Lost time injuries.
- Gave input and feedback on programme development and design.
- Operated CCTV system in line with legislation regarding use of CCTV to keep activities compliant with regulations.
- Calmly responded to issues as they arose on the site, escalating incidents where necessary.
- Offered advice and guidance to Server room team, dealing efficiently with difficult nuisance alarms, revision of operational interlocks.
- Supported Clients and team through gathering information, making clear and appropriate decisions on behalf of the team.
- Implemented Standard operational procedures and protocols.
- Notified line manager before leaving control room for breaks to get coverage.
- Identified and recommended changes needed to improve plant operations.
- Carried out daily equipment checks and reported all faults and failures to personnel responsible for maintenance.
Shift Supervisor
Konkola Copper Mines PLC
Chingola, Copperbelt province
08.2011 - 07.2014
- Daily operation of Flash Smelting Furnace, Furnace Feeding System, Daily Heavy Fuel Oil Storage Area, Hearth Cooling Fans Area and other associated Areas
- Maintained Safety, housekeeping and discipline at Flash Smelting Section.
- Preparation, issuing closing and cancelation of work permits in Flash Smelting Area.
- Ensured all jobs were done as per Standard operating Procedure.
- Daily entry and maintenance of Government Logbook and Daily Supervisors' Report.
- Interpretation and control of Critical parameters including Slag chemistry Control, Tapping co-ordination, Bath Temperature Control, Furnace hygiene etc
- Maintained liaisons with personnel from Technical (Metallurgists), Raw Material Handling Section, Slag Cleaning Electric Furnace, Sulphuric Acid Plant, Waste Heat Boiler/ Electrostatic Precipitator, Anode Furnaces, Oxygen Plant/Utilities and personnel from other sections on matters relating to plant operations.
- Maintained liaison with Shift maintenance crew Supervisors on plant equipment status.
- Prepared, adhered to, reviewed and communicated Daily production plan to all upstream and downstream customers
- Ensured Slag and Blister Copper samples are collected and delivered to Site Laboratory
- Daily supervision of Shift Manpower i.e Control Room Operator, Field Operators, Tappers etc and identification of individual Training and Development needs of personnel.
- Ensured production targets were met by reducing Plant downtime.
- Ensured safety standards were maintained at zero Lost time injuries.
- Effective and efficient management of financial and other resources.
- Giving input and feedback on programme development and design.
- Kept the Superintendent, and other upper-level management teams apprised of daily operations.
- Supervised employees to ensure assigned tasks were completed on time.
- Trained several new employees successfully, raising the company's overall performance.
- Helped Operators organise and clean their work environment thoroughly.
- Responded decisively to emergencies and provided first-aid when necessary.
- Assigned daily stock-counting tasks to Furnace Operators and Tappers to keep them engaged.
- Organised and scheduled employee shifts.
- Completed opening checklists to create pristine service areas.
- Upheld company standards and compliance requirements for operations and cleanliness of all areas.
- Delegated tasks effectively amongst large teams, ensuring continued success against daily KPI targets.
- Successfully managed up to 17 employees per shift by monitoring workload, assessing performance and assigning duties.
- Briefed teams on daily operational requirements, motivating and incentivising staff to work tirelessly to achieve them.
- Tracked daily expenses and income, assessing against targets to ensure business met performance standards.
- Mentored and supported new employees to maximise team performance.
- Used coaching and mentoring talents to develop junior staff members, increasing competent, confident team performance.
- Led by example in completing all tasks with energy and enthusiasm, aiding a positive team mentality.
- Worked with management team to share ideas and improve operation and improve quality of products.
- Utilised lean manufacturing techniques such as 5S to meet company targets in productivity, efficiency and quality.
- Contributed to improvement of working procedures to give best productivity results.
- Raised tool reports for faulty equipment and suggested ideas to improve for next production run.
Metallurgical Process Associate/ Control Room Operator
Konkola Copper Mines PLC
Chingola, Copperbelt province
08.2008 - 07.2011
- Daily operation of Flash Smelting Furnace, Furnace Feeding System, Daily Heavy Fuel Oil Storage Area, Hearth Cooling Fans Area and other associated Areas
- Maintained Safety, housekeeping and discipline at Flash Smelting Section.
- Ensured all jobs were done as per Standard operating Procedure.
- Preparation and distribution of daily reports
- Interpretation and control of Critical parameters including Slag chemistry Control, Tapping co-ordination, Bath Temperature Control, Furnace hygiene etc Whilst reporting to Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of the Flash Smelting Furnace
- Maintained liaisons with personnel from Technical (Metallurgists), Raw Material Handling Section, Slag Cleaning Electric Furnace, Sulphuric Acid Plant, Waste Heat Boiler/ Electrostatic Precipitator, Anode Furnaces, Oxygen Plant/Utilities and personnel from other sections on matters relating to plant operations
- Maintained liaison with Shift maintenance crew Supervisors on plant equipment
- Prepared, adhered to, reviewed and communicated Daily production plan to all upstream and downstream customers
- Ensured Slag and Blister Copper samples were collected.
Tutor
University Zambia
Lusaka
01.2008 - 07.2008
- With guidance of Senior Lecturers, conducted tutorials for first and sophomore year mathematics students.
- Assisted as an test invigilator.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics and Statistics
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Lusaka province01.2007
Examinations Council of Zambia Grade Twelve Certificate - undefined
Hillcrest Technical Secondary School
Livingstone, Southern province01.2000
Examinations Council of Zambia Grade 9 Certificate - undefined
Kabulonga Secondary School for Boys
Lusaka, Lusaka province01.1997
Examinations Council of Zambia - Grade 7 Certificate - undefined
Nkhwazi Primary School
Lusaka, Lusaka province01.1995
Skills
- Microsoft Office suite Applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher
- PI (Process book) software operation
- Training and mentoring
- Schedule oversight
- Project and task delegation
- Team development
- Opening and closing procedures
- Staff motivation
- Production oversight
- Workforce training and development
- Strategic execution
- Continuous improvement
- Health and safety compliance
- Quality assurance standards
- Strong work ethic
- Professional manner
- Polite and friendly
Accomplishments
- Commissioned Direct- to- Blister Flash Smelting Furnace at Nchanga Copper Smelter in Chingola, Zambia in 2008.
- Commissioned Isasmelt Furnace at Kansanshi Copper Smelter in Solwezi, Zambia in 2015.
- Commissioned Direct- to- Blister Flash Smelting Furnace at Kamoa Copper Smelter at Kamoa Mining Complex, Musokantanda, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo in 2026.
LANGUAGES
English: First language
Timeline
Senior Officer, DBF Control Room
Kamoa Copper Smelter, Kamoa SARL
07.2024 - Current
Shift Controller
Kansanshi Mining PLC
05.2023 - 07.2024
Shift Supervisor
Konkola Copper Mines PLC
08.2011 - 07.2014
Metallurgical Process Associate/ Control Room Operator
Konkola Copper Mines PLC
08.2008 - 07.2011
Tutor
University Zambia
01.2008 - 07.2008
Examinations Council of Zambia Grade Twelve Certificate - undefined
Hillcrest Technical Secondary School
Examinations Council of Zambia Grade 9 Certificate - undefined
Kabulonga Secondary School for Boys
Examinations Council of Zambia - Grade 7 Certificate - undefined
Nkhwazi Primary School
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics and Statistics
University of Zambia
INTERESTS
Reading novels, Swimming, Soccer, Gaming, Racing.
OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Date of Birth: 27th October, 1983.
- Marital status: Married.
- Driving License: SADC Class B.