McCallum ends a lifetime of mining

Augetto Graig

Percy McCallum has announced his retirement, effective from 21 June 2019.

The vice-president of human resources and business support at Swakop Uranium’s massive Husab uranium mine will say his farewells after 30 years in the mining industry.

“Mining is in my blood,” he said.

About his time in the industry he said: “There has not been one dull moment.”

“I am very passionate about mining and people. It is more than 30 years now and I have had the most enjoyable time, both globally and nationally. Now that the mine has been built, it is time to move on.

“I have not actually thought about what’s next; the mine keeps me so busy. Definitely I will be doing something, there are still opportunities,” he said.

He will continue is his chairmanship of the Namibian Uranium Association (NUA).

The organisation serves the interests of the various uranium mines in the country, as well as those of specialised prospectors and exploration companies.

It also serves as a watchdog to ensure adherence to stringent, applicable international standards for the industry.

McCallum says another responsibility is the protection of the image of the industry.

When not protecting the reputation of uranium miners, McCallum intends to catch up on his fishing.

He has previously landed a 48-centimetre galjoen, known locally as a ‘botterkop’ for its fatness.

Spending time with his kids at the gym or watching cricket, soccer or rugby is also high on his agenda.

McCallum is a son of the south, having schooled at Suiderlig High School in Keetmanshoop, before attending the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. He also did stints at Wits and Stellenbosch University.

Shortly after graduating, he started working for Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM), which later transformed into the public-private partnership between the Namibian government and mining giant De Beers, known today as Namdeb.

He started as a graduate trainee and eventually worked himself up through the ranks to become the group human resource manager for both Namdeb and the partnership between Namibia and De Beers Marine, which became known as Debmarine Namibia.

From there he was head-hunted by international miner, Rio Tinto, where his exposure to the rest of the world really started.

With Rio Tinto, McCallum spent some five years in South Africa before travelling to Botswana and Tanzania to look after the group’s Africa interests. He was also exposed to working on mines in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, before returning to the Land of the Brave.

About six years ago, McCallum embarked on his biggest project yet - Husab - which would become his legacy to mining in Namibia.

“Building this mine has been an experience,” he said.

Swakop Uranium’s massive Husab mine is for McCallum the culmination of a lifetime of work and a great source of personal pride.

“This is a true investment. When we completed the building of the mine we started on the recruitment policies and procedures, as well as the salary grading systems.

“It took time but now it is all in place, and approved,” he said.

The time it took to complete the employment structure caused some consternation, and particularly the unions have taken issue with McCallum in the past.

In 2017, in particular, members of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) crowded his on-site office with placards, while shouting: “Down Percy, down.”

McCallum confronted the situation with his usual aplomb and received the petition in person, albeit accompanied by the police.

“I have years of experience with the unions in a variety of countries and I knew it was my duty to receive their demands. We have since started building a very good relationship,” he said.

“I knew they had a point, so I went to listen and see what they had to say. In the end it was no obstacle,” he said.

At Husab, McCallum has instituted a veritable pipeline of talent for the future of the Namibia’s mining industry.

In particular, women are being groomed to fill future management positions - an initiative which he says is high on the recruitment agenda of the mine.

The intake of graduates is regulated to 50/50 males and females, feeding this leadership pipeline for the future, he said.

“Swakop Uranium is a Namibian company which operates under Namibian laws and in line with the customs and beliefs of Namibia,” he insisted. “This is a big mine and it has a big impact on employment in the Erongo Region, although we recruit from all over the country.”

Currently 96% of more than 1 650 mineworkers at Husab are Namibians. He describes Husab as a huge job-creation development, which is of real help to the government’s efforts to alleviate unemployment.

“In Namibia, Namibians are often of outstandingly good-quality people, who can talk with the world and its mining leadership,” he said.

His advice to young Namibians considering a career in mining is to work hard and qualify as top students at their graduations.

“Then come and learn how a mine works and how the processes work, in order to improve on them. Remain focused on making successes and getting seen. Keep calm and don’t stumble to the sides, but walk the straight and narrow,” he said.

Hard work, good values, respect, loyalty, discipline and making contributions towards the success of the project are key, he said.

“The mining industry will develop you and the opportunities are here. Just grab them.”