Donovan De Ponte
BEng (Mining), Mine Managers Cert of Comp

Donavan is a highly experienced mining engineer with over 8 years of experience in production, technical services, and consulting across coal and mineral sands in Australia and Africa.
He specialises in optimising operation efficiency, risk management, and strategic planning with a strong understanding of both the technical and business facets of mining operations. Committed to delivering value and excellence in every project, Donovan is proficient in a wide range of software, including MinePlanner, AutoCAD, Surpac, and VentSim. His interests also extend to technology, valuations, and economics, driving his innovative approach to mining solutions.
Expertise
- Mine Planning & Scheduling
- Mine Optimisation
- Mine Financial Analysis
- Mine Engineering
- WHS Auditing & Risk Management
Track Record
- At Mornabah North underground longwall mine, Donovan successfully rescheduled and reprioritised development units increasing operational float and reducing equipment flitting all with the reduction of a Continuous Miner unit, while accurate data analysis led to a 96% alignment between scheduled and actual production outcomes.
- He successfully led the first and third best Continuous Miner bord and pillar production sections in South Africa, achieving over a million scratch-free tonnes each. He broke records for daily, weekly and monthly tonnage outputs by optimising shift planning, equipment utilisation and operational processes.
- Donavan spearheaded a resource optimisation project in Madagascar mineral sands operation, identifying opportunities to re-mine old tailings facilities. He developed and implemented a mine plan that increased production output by an additional 100kt of final product, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
- He was responsible for leading the Marsh Advisory Mining Teams in the delivery of high-quality property risk solutions to clients within the mining industry. This included conducting research, analysing data, developing and presenting recommendations, and working closely with clients to ensure successful implementation and improvement of their risk profiles.
- At the Greedside Colliery, Anglo American in South Africia, he was appointed under Minerals Act Regulation 2.15.1 which required Donavan to inspecting sections daily to identify and respond to risks and hazards related to SHE. Planning and tracking weekly and monthly production activities.