Chairperson Board of director: UJMASAF
Dr Mbalenhle Mpanza is a Senior Lecturer/Researcher who has over 14 years’ experience as a geologist and researcher. She graduated with a BSc Honours (Geology) from the University of the Witwatersrand and worked for Samancor Chrome as a Geologist in Training and was later promoted to Sectional Geologist. In 2013 she was appointed as an Associate lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in the School of Mining Engineering, where her academic career began. While working as an Associate lecturer she enrolled for her Masters in Engineering (Geostatistics), which she completed and graduated in 2015.
Later in 2015, she started resource geology consulting work for various upcoming junior mining companies under Tecoma Strategies consultancy. She continued with resource geology consulting work whilst also working for the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying department as a part time lecturer and researcher. In 2017 she enrolled for an MBA and graduated in 2020, this is also the year she was appointed as a permanent lecturer at UJ where she lectures Geostatistics to third- and fourth-year (Honours)students. Dr Mpanza enrolled for her PhD focusing on developing models of dust dispersion impacts from partially rehabilitated TSFs on surrounding communities in areas of liquidated mining companies and obtained her PhD in July 2022 from Wits.
Dr Mpanza was promoted to Senior Lecturer at UJ in 2023 and was later appointed the Deputy Head of Department in the Mining Engineering and Mine Surveying department in March 2025.
Dr Mpanza also does work in Mineral Resource Evaluation, including developing course material in this field of specialisation for other institutions. She is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with SACNASP, is a member of SAIMM, NACA, Geological Society of South Africa as well the Geostatistical Association of South Africa.
Mbalenhle has experience in Chrome, Gold, Platinum, Phosphate deposits and has conducted work in feasibility studies, due diligence, data analysis, geological report review, geological modeling and mining research within South Africa. She has worked with companies like MGB Mineral Resources, Tecoma Strategies, Geovia, Datamine Africa and Samancor Chrome (WCM). Dr Mpanza is passionate about seeing people improve and unlocking their potential and attributes this to her current interest in using TSFs material for manufacturing bricks and tiles.
Her life’s vision is always to be part of the solution and not the problem.