Open to opportunities

Nico Koch

@nicokoch

Control systems expert maintaining and programming PLC, SCADA, and plant instrumentation across mining and diamond operations.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I want to keep working on plant-wide control systems—PLC/SCADA maintenance, programming changes, and new instrumentation designs—ideally in operations where I can coordinate loop/P&ID readiness and support critical commissioning.

I’ve worked across South Africa’s mining plants maintaining and programming PLC and SCADA systems, from Wes Driefontein Goldmine and Northam Platinum to Merensky Metallurgical Plant and Waterval Smelter.

At Tharisa Minerals, I moved from Instrument Technician into Instrumentation Superintendent and Instrumentation Manager—handling PLC program changes, WinCC SCADA package maintenance, and installation of plant instrumentation across crushers, mills, flotation cells, and belt weighers.

Now at Pink Diamonds Limited (Williamson Mine) in Tanzania, I work as a DPO – Control Systems Expert: maintaining Siemens PLCs (S1200/1500), building and maintaining WinCC SCADA packages, and setting up control networks (including SimoCode and VSDs on Profinet).

When projects call for it, I design and build new instrumentation add-ons and equipment—like a Recovery Safe level probe and a Recovery Cooker Timer—and I’ve also supported remote recovery and contingency work during Covid-19.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

DPO – Control Systems Expert

Pink Diamonds Limited, Williamson Mine

Oct 2019 - Jun 2026 (6 years 8 months)

Maintenance on Plant PLC equipment and networks. Program changes on Siemens S1200/1500 PLCs and WinCC SCADA packages. Design and built Recovery Safe level probe and Recovery Cooker Timer.

Siemens S1200 Siemens S1500 SIMOCODE Profinet FlowSort X Ray

Instrumentation Manager

Tharisa Minerals

Sep 2018 - Oct 2019 (1 year 1 month)

Managed instrumentation department. Oversaw maintenance, projects, and PLC/SCADA systems.

SIMOCODE Profibus

Instrumentation Superintendent

Tharisa Minerals

Jul 2017 - Aug 2018 (1 year 1 month)

Supervised instrumentation maintenance and projects. Continued PLC programming and SCADA design.

SIMOCODE Profibus

Instrument Technician

Tharisa Minerals

Sep 2012 - Jun 2017 (4 years 9 months)

Maintenance on Plant PLC equipment and networks. Program changes on Siemens S7 PLCs and WinCC SCADA packages.

SIMOCODE Profibus

Senior Instrument Coordinator

IEC2

Sep 2011 - Sep 2012 (1 year)

Auditing of Loop diagrams and P&ID drawings. Data collection and setup of database files. Training of subordinates.

Senior Instrument Technician

Waterval Smelter (Anglo Platinum)

Jul 2008 - Jul 2011 (3 years)

Maintenance on Plant PLC equipment and networks. Program changes on Siemens S7 and S5 PLCs. Maintenance of iFix SCADA and furnace control systems.

Profibus DEMAG

Senior Instrument Technician

Merensky Metallurgical Plant (Lonmin)

Mar 2005 - Jun 2008 (3 years 3 months)

Maintenance on Plant Instrumentation, installations, and programming of Allen Bradley and Siemens TI PLCs. Promoted to Senior Instrument Technician in February 2007.

Allen Bradley

Instrument Technician

Eastern Platinum Mine (Lonmin)

Feb 2001 - Mar 2005 (4 years 1 month)

Maintenance and repair of DEMAG and CENTAC Compressors, telephone exchange, and ABB Winders. Involved with commissioning of Winders and automation projects.

DEMAG CENTAC PLC Direct

Instrument Technician

Idwala Lime

Apr 1998 - Feb 2001 (2 years 10 months)

Maintenance and installation of plant and quarry instrumentation. Faultfinding and programming of ABB DCS, Siemens S5 PLCs, and Wonderware InTouch SCADA.

TI 505 Struthers and Dunn

Instrument Technician

Hartebeestfontein Goldmine

Aug 1995 - Apr 1998 (2 years 8 months)

Maintenance and repair of Plant Instrumentation. Installation and programming of Modicon and Allen Bradley PLCs.

Allen Bradley DEMAG Compressor

Winder Technician

West Driefontein Goldmine

Jul 1993 - Aug 1995 (2 years 1 month)

Maintenance and repair of Mine Winding Machines, Power Control System, and private railway control rooms with Siemens PLCs.

Siemens

Winder Technician

Northam Platinum Mine

Jan 1992 - Jun 1993 (1 year 5 months)

Maintenance and repair of Mine Winding Machines, telephones, fridge plant, two-way radios, and other equipment. Relieved as Snr. Technician for 2.5 months.

GEC MWS 2000

Winder Technician

Wes Driefontein Goldmine

Sep 1988 - Jan 1992 (3 years 4 months)

Maintenance and repair of Mine Winding Machines. Installation of CCTV systems and design of Power Control System using Conlog Teleterm units.

CCTV Conlog Teleterm

Technician

Dept. Post & Telecommunication

May 1986 - Sep 1988 (2 years 4 months)

Maintenance of M.U. and Two Motion type exchanges. Relieved as Snr. Technician for 1 month.

Apprentice Technician

Dept. Post & Telecommunication

Jan 1983 - May 1986 (3 years 4 months)

Maintenance of M.U. and Two Motion type exchanges whilst doing apprenticeship.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Transvalia High School

National Senior Certificate, General

1979 - 1982

Completed Standard 10 (Grade 12) with subjects including Afrikaans, English, Mathematics, Science, Biology, and Art.

Unknown

National N Diploma, Telecommunications

Completed N6 National N Diploma in Telecommunications with subjects including Principles of Electricity, Digital Electronics, and Telecommunication Principles.