Instrument Technician

SUMMARY:
Role Purpose:
To maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation and control systems within a coal wash plant,
ensuring optimal plant performance, accuracy of measurement systems, and compliance with safety and operational
standards.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities: a. Instrumentation Maintenance & Calibration - Maintain and calibrate plant instrumentation, including: - Belt scales and weighbridges - Density meters, flow meters, level and pressure instruments - Ensure accurate measurement and reporting of production data - Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance b. Control Systems & Automation - Maintain and troubleshoot: - PLC systems (Programmable Logic Controllers) - HMI systems (Human Machine Interfaces) - SCADA interfaces (where applicable) - Assist with control logic fault finding and system optimisation - Support plant automation and process improvements c. Electrical & Electronic Systems - Maintain and repair: - Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) - Motor control circuits - Plant electronic control panels - Diagnose faults in electrical and electronic systems d. Communication & Safety Systems - Install, maintain, and troubleshoot: - Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) - Two-way radio communication systems - GPS and telemetry systems (if applicable) - Ensure all safety systems are fully operational and compliant e. Fault Finding & Breakdown Support - Perform advanced fault finding on plant instrumentation and control systems - Respond to breakdowns and minimise plant downtime - Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions f. Valves & Pneumatics - Maintain and repair: - Solenoid valves - Pneumatic control systems - Ensure proper operation of actuated valves and control loops g. Compliance & Safety - Ensure compliance with mining regulations and safety standards - Adhere to lock-out and isolation procedures - Maintain high housekeeping and safety standards h. Reporting & Documentation - Complete maintenance reports, job cards, and calibration records - Maintain asset registers and instrument databases - Track and report recurring faults and system performance Minimum Requirements Education - National Diploma \/ N6 \/ Trade Test in: - Instrumentation OR - Electrical Engineering (Process Control \/ Light Current preferred) - Experience Minimum 4-6 years' experience in: - Coal processing \/ wash plant environment - Instrumentation and control systems - Proven experience with: - Belt scales and weighbridges - PLCs and HMIs - VSDs and plant electronics - PDS and radio systems - Solenoids and pneumatic systems Technical Skills - Strong fault-finding and diagnostic capability - Knowledge of: - PLC programming (advantageous) - Instrument calibration procedures - Process control systems - Electrical schematics and loop diagrams - Familiar with test equipment (multimeters, calibrators, communicators) Additional Requirements - Valid driver's license - Medically fit for mining environment