Daniel Runyowa
Graduate Mining Engineer | Midlands State University
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your background in mining engineering?
I’m a recent Mining Engineering graduate from Midlands State University. My foundation is really a mix of the heavy theory we covered at varsity and the real-world reality check I got during my work-related learning at Mimosa Mining Company. Right now, I’m actively developing my skills with the Datamine Africa team, getting my hands dirty with their software to bridge the gap between textbook engineering and actual, safe and profitable mine planning.
What motivated you to complete technical training with Datamine?
Honestly, I realized pretty quickly that the modern mining industry runs on software. You can know the math, have exposure and the theory, but you need to know the tools. I wanted to train with the Datamine Africa team because their software is an industry standard. I wanted to take the concepts I learned in school and the operational pace I saw at Mimosa, and figure out how to actually map that out digitally. I wanted to see how a pit is designed and scheduled before a single piece of equipment ever moves.
What were the key technical skills you developed during your training?
Working with the Datamine Africa team gave me a very practical, hands-on understanding of the strategic workflow using Studio NPVS+, pit design using Studio OP, and scheduling using the Datamine Task Scheduler. Some of the core things I actually worked on included:
Data Prep & Economic Modeling: It’s not just about clicking “run.” I learned how to import block models, validate the data to make sure it makes geological sense, and apply economic parameters (like commodity prices, mining costs, and processing costs) to build an accurate economic block model.
Pit Optimization: I used the Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm in NPVS+ to generate nested pit shells. This was great because it let me physically see how changing a single variable completely changes the size, shape, and lifespan of the ultimate pit.
Practical Scheduling: To bring the designs to life, I used the Datamine Task Scheduler. I learned how to break the pit down into mineable phases, set up logical task dependencies, allocate resources, and create a realistic sequence of extraction so that the design actually makes sense on a timeline.
How did the training influence your understanding of mine planning?
It honestly made everything click. At university, you often learn geology, economics and scheduling in isolation. Using the software showed me how they are all completely connected. A small tweak in the scheduling sequence or a shift in the economic parameters ripples through the entire project and directly impacts the Net Present Value (NPV). It taught me that mine planning isn’t just drawing lines; it’s an ongoing balancing act between what’s physically possible on the ground and what’s economically viable.
What did you find most valuable about the experience?
The troubleshooting process. The Datamine Africa team didn’t just give me a manual to follow; they challenged me to understand why the software was doing what it was doing. When a schedule clashed or a pit shell looked off, I had to dig back into the parameters and logic to fix it. Connecting the software mechanics back to the underlying engineering principles was definitely the most valuable part of the experience.
How do you plan to apply this knowledge in your career?
As a recent graduate stepping fully into the industry, I want to be an engineer who can back up operational decisions with solid, data-driven planning. By combining my hands-on, underground experience from Mimosa with the technical software skills I’ve built with Datamine, I want to help engineering teams design schedules and pit limits that are realistic, safe and actually deliver their expected value.
Working with the Datamine Africa team really connected the dots for me. It took the theory from my varsity lectures, the operational reality of Mimosa Mining Company, and showed me exactly how to use software to tie them together into a mine plan that actually works.
