Dr Theunis Otto

Chief Engineer, Mining and Digital Technologies CSIR

Dr Theunis Otto is a professional mining engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in the South African mining industry. He held various operational and technical roles at underground and open cast coal mines and iron ore mines at the start of his career. Then joined SRK Consulting as Principal Mining Engineer; optimising mining operations and conducting various strategic mine planning studies and projects over a wide range of commodities including gold, copper and diamonds. As Head of Mining at Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore, he was accountable for developing and implementing the mining strategy, operational support and technical oversight, strategic business processes (such as mine planning and value chain reconciliation), mining technology deployment and the health of the mining discipline. Theunis joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2024 where he develops and implements relevant technology solutions to address the opportunities and challenges of the mining industry, thereby making a real difference and solving real problems.  He also leads mining related research at the CSIR. He is driven by applying research and innovation and is passionate about the professional development and growth of people around him. Theunis obtained his PhD in Mining Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.  He further holds South African Mine Manager’s Certificates for both metalliferous and coal mines and is a registered professional engineer with ECSA.