RAFAEL LUIS ABELA
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in extraction metallurgy and process evaluation, specialising in gravity concentration and mineral processing equipment evaluation. Demonstrates a strong track record in business development and operational management, with significant experience in handling chromite ore, gold ore, tin, and gold tailings. Adept at leading teams and driving new business development initiatives, aiming to leverage skills in minerals experience to enhance organisational growth and efficiency.
Loyal employee with solid understanding of training and mentoring employees. Dedicated team player, proactive and hands-on in task completion.
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Middle East Regional Manager
DRA Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
01.2018 - 02.2025
- Client interaction
- Evaluating client needs for plant, operations, and maintenance
- Interaction with Engineering design company to develop O&M requirements as well as plant requirements
- Contract maintenance of current O&M contracts
- Preparation and submission of business proposals and tenders to clients and engineering companies
- Preparation of Marketing Plan and business development for DRA Saudi Arabia
- Procuring operations and maintenance contracts for Minopex to achieve determined growth goal for the company
- Development of contract operations operational structures and personnel requirements
- Preparation and execution plan for Mineral Assay laboratory in KSA for QLS (Minopex Group)
- Complete laboratory execution
- Plant operational Audits for Saudi Arabian Mining Company - Gold and Base metal plants and Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate
- Plant operational Audit for ERG - Kazchrome plants in Kazakhstan
- Fostered a positive work environment, boosting employee morale.
- Developed targeted marketing campaigns tailored to regional demographics.
- Provided crucial input into strategic planning, shaping company direction and focus.
- Enhanced team's performance with regular coaching and feedback.
- Liaised regularly with head office to ensure alignment of regional goals with overall company objectives.
- Built strong relationships with stakeholders, improving customer satisfaction rates.
Marketing and business development director
Minerals Operations Executive - Minopex
Johannesburg , South Africa
01.2007 - 12.2017
- Client interaction
- Evaluating client needs for operations and maintenance
- Interaction with Engineering design company to develop O&M requirements
- Client interaction for development of business
- Interaction with Area managers and Operations directors for tender compilation
- Contract maintenance
- Preparation of Marketing and business development plan
- Procuring operations and maintenance contracts for Minopex to achieve determined growth goal
- Preparation of Marketing material, advertising, website, functions, and conferences
- Preparation and submission of business proposals and tenders to clients and engineering companies - (Contracts won)
- Phola Coal, Riversdale Coal, Jindal Coal, Vangaatsfontein Coal, Liketh Coal, Pilanesberg Platinum, Blue Ridge Platinum, Baobab Platinum, Booysendal Platinum, Shanta Gold, Ad' Duwayhi Gold mine, Karowe Diamond mine, SAOB magnetite plant, LIO magnetite plant
- Drafted fully-fledged proposals to recommend senior management on different courses of action.
- Closed complex, lucrative deals with new customers using strategic sales and negotiation tactics.
- Prepared and delivered winning client proposals, business presentations and sales pitches to C-level executives.
- Consistently exceeded revenue targets through new account development.
- Coached team to build client relationships and exceed sales targets.
- Influenced key decision-making and established trust with stakeholders.
- Generated leads to bring in new client revenue and improve bottom-line profitability.
- Negotiated contracts with key stakeholders, solidifying long-term relationships.
- Devised strategic plans for business expansion, securing new territories.
- Represented organisation to public at trade exhibitions and conventions, driving awareness of Contract Operations and Maintenance
- Audit and consult for Sibanye Platinum on the Chromite recovery plants
- Developed marketing plans to support department strategies.
Senior product manager
Multotec Process Equipment (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg , South Africa
01.1991 - 12.2007
- Setting up the mineral R&D division at Multotec
- Development of spiral concentrator flow sheets for clients in Chrome, Coal, Iron ore and heavy mineral sands a total of 237 reports for clients over the working time at Multotec
- Spiral product development - MX7 Coal spiral with various patents registered as inventor
- Introduction of MX7 spiral to the South African coal industry, Optimum Colliery, Kleinkopje Colliery, and about 97% of the coal mines in RSA - Industry standard product
- Column flotation test work at Foskor Mine
- R&D work on spirals and ancillary equipment for the cone replacement project at Mining Pond B at Richards Bay Minerals
- Column flotation test work at Black Mountain Mine for equipment upgrade
- Development testwork of Oxygen injection systems in the leach circuit at ERGO gold mine for Anglo American Gold
- Column Flotation test work at Phalaborwa Copper mine
- Hillendale mineral sands flowsheet development project for Ticor
- Sierra Rutile minerals sands project Spiral concentrator flowsheet development and equipment supply - Sierra Leone and Malaysia
- Column Flotation test work at O'Kiep Copper mines project for column flotation design and implementation - RSA
- CSN spiral project testwork and equipment development for iron ore project - Brazil
- Kroondal 1 spiral project - DRA - flowsheet development and equipment supply
- Marikana Spiral project - DRA - Flowsheet development and equipment supply
- Incorporated customer feedback into product enhancements, resulting in improved usability.
- Achieved operational efficiency by introducing lean manufacturing techniques in production process.
- Trained and mentored junior product teams to deliver on stringent timelines and exceptional quality standards.
- Aligned comprehensive product roadmap with market trends to drive established objectives.
- Identified growth opportunities through expert competitor analysis and market research.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to address engineering and manufacturing requirements.
- Evaluated research findings to provide key development insight.
- Implemented research findings into product development through design team collaboration.
- Spearheaded rigorous competitor analysis to inform strategic decision making.
- Developed comprehensive business plans for successful market entry.
- Launched several high-profile products, achieving significant market recognition.
- Improved product quality standards, enhancing customer loyalty and trust.
- Boosted customer satisfaction with continuous improvement of existing products.
- Championed user-centric design principles for superior product experience.
- Led team to achieve strategic objectives by implementing new product development processes.
- Managed end-to-end product lifecycle to meet company's strategic goals.
- Managed strategic research projects and communicated findings to stakeholders.
- Protected intellectual property rights using patents, trademarks and copyrights.
- Sought new business connections to broaden research opportunities.
R&D manager
Golden Dumps Research
Johannesburg , South Africa
12.1990 - 06.1991
- Plant control at Modder B Gold mine, Grind optimization, oxygen injection
- On plant work
- Investigation on the performance of the gravity circuit at Goudini Chrome mine for the group - On plant work
- Investigation on the operation of the Gravelotte Gold plant, leach kinetics, oxygen injection, carbon loading
- Managed complex R and D projects, ensuring timely completion.
- Created comprehensive R and D reports for management review and decision-making.
- Evaluated research findings to provide key development insight.
Senior process technician
Council for Mineral Technology - Mintek
Johannesburg , South Africa
01.1981 - 11.1990
- Development of an extraction process for tin and tungsten for Shell Minerals Co
- Laboratory work and pilot plant work
- Development of a separation process for tungsten - Renosterkop - Northern Cape
- Development of a flotation flowsheet for Cassiterite from Zaaiplaats tin mine, laboratory work and pilot plant work
- Design and construct a pilot plant for recovery of gold from solutions and slurry using different resins and activated carbon in a Mintek patented NIMCIX column for Rand Mines Ltd
- Laboratory and pilot plant work (30-month pilot campaign)
- Characterisation of the different manganese ores at Mamatwan mine for Samancor Co
- To develop a Dense Medium process to separate all manganese minerals, laboratory work
- Crocodile River Mine UG2 Platinum pilot plant operation
- Design, construct and operate a pilot plant for the development of the primary gravity circuit for Namakwa Sands Co
- Laboratory work (3 month) and pilot plant work (8 month) - Thesis for M
- Dip
- Process flow sheet development for the extraction of mineral sands from the Wave Crest Deposit in the Eastern Cape province
- Process flow sheet development for the extraction of mineral sands from the Umtumzini deposit near Richards Bay
- Process flow sheet design and pilot work for Trans Hex Mineral Sands, from sand to saleable mineral products Ilmenite, Zircon, Rutile, using Gravity concentration, magnetic and electrostatic separation
- Determination of physical characteristics of Soderberg electrodes used in submerged arc furnaces for the prevention of electrode breakage during operation - Electrode Manufacturer in South Africa
- Maintained safety standards within the workplace to ensure a hazard-free environment.
- Prepared samples, identified defects in materials.
- Documented test results meticulously for future reference and decision-making.
- Conducted metallurgical investigations for process improvements.
- Provided training sessions to junior technicians to improve their skills set.
- Collected and prepared rock, mineral and metal samples for laboratory testing.
- Offered technical expertise to support planning of exploration, extraction and processing projects.
- Performed sample testing in laboratory environment to gather data on raw materials.
- Investigated properties of sample materials, analysing and reporting test results.
- Recommended changes to improve yield of existing extraction methods.
- Operated range of highly-specialised testing machines to capture reliable results.
Education
National Diploma - Extraction Metallurgy
Witswaterand Technikon
South Africa 01.1982 - 12.1985
National Higher Diploma - Extraction Metallurgy
Witswaterand Technikon
South Africa 01.1985 - 12.1985
Masters Diploma - Minerals Engineering
Witswaterand Technikon
South Africa 01.1988 - 07.1990
Certificate - Industrial Marketing
University of South Africa
South Africa 01.1999 - 08.2000
Skills
- Extraction Metallurgy
- Process evaluation and auditing
- Gravity Concentration
- Minerals experience
- Mineral Processing equipment evaluation
- Chromite ore
- Gold ore
- Tin
- Gold Tailings
- Business development
- Operational management
- Operations
- New business development
- Business development and planning
- Team leadership
- Product launch expertise
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Customer relationship management
- Market research analysis
- Financial reporting
- Contract negotiation
- Technical product knowledge
- Regional marketing strategies
- Profit and loss understanding
- Employee training
- Customer Service
- Workforce management
- International business operations
Languages
English
Beginner
Bilingual
Fluent
Spanish
Fluent
Italian
Intermediate
Custom
- Customizing Motorcycles
- Photography
- Bonsai
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 01/25/61
- Nationality: South African Saudi Arabian Italian
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Middle East Regional Manager
DRA Saudi Arabia
01.2018 - 02.2025
Marketing and business development director
Minerals Operations Executive - Minopex
01.2007 - 12.2017
Certificate - Industrial Marketing
University of South Africa
01.1999 - 08.2000
Senior product manager
Multotec Process Equipment (Pty) Ltd
01.1991 - 12.2007
R&D manager
Golden Dumps Research
12.1990 - 06.1991
Masters Diploma - Minerals Engineering
Witswaterand Technikon
01.1988 - 07.1990
National Higher Diploma - Extraction Metallurgy
Witswaterand Technikon
01.1985 - 12.1985
National Diploma - Extraction Metallurgy
Witswaterand Technikon
01.1982 - 12.1985
Senior process technician
Council for Mineral Technology - Mintek
01.1981 - 11.1990
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