In May 2009 Obed Nkweni Letsholo was appointed as the first black president of the Association of Mine Resident Engineers (AMRE).

Born in 1957 in Rustenburg, Letsholo has over 26 years engineering experience in the mining sector. After matriculating in 1979 he started his career at Rustenburg Platinum Mines, firstly as a learner official in surveying and later as a learner official in engineering. He completed his National Higher Diploma Electrical (T4) at Vaal Triangle Technikon in 1986, after which he worked as a junior engineer in Rustenburg. He completed his GCC in 1991.

Spells at Atok Mine in Pietersburg, Joel Mine, Tshepong Mine and finally at Anglogold’s Tau Lekoa Mine in Orkney followed where he steadily made his way up the career ladder to become an engineering manager.

In 2005, Letsholo joined Read, Swatman & Voigt (RSV) as discipline projects engineer and worked on the Lebowa projects of Middlepunt and Brakfontein at Atok Mine.

In 2006, he was promoted to project manager on the Anglo Platinum project – Turffontein Decline Cluster and in 2007 joined the Kopano JV, a 50/50 Joint Venture on the Frank Shaft UG2 pre-feasibility study, as the project manager. He is currently working with the feasibility study for Frank UG2.

“Being appointed as the first black president of the Association is something which has been a long time coming,” Letsholo says. “During my one-year term of office I will direct my energies into representing and advancing the interests of appointed engineers on the mines and strengthening the voice of appointed and operating engineers.”