Case studies
Clients and results
Three engagements, described by the clients who commissioned them — and the operations we have worked in since.
A first Mine Overseer Course
Copper operation, Democratic Republic of Congo
The operation launched its first Mine Overseer Course as part of a commitment to advancement from within. Through comprehensive psychometric assessment, nine individuals with the drive, aptitude and passion to excel in leadership roles were identified.
Led by Comodex, the course ran for six weeks at the client’s centre of excellence, focused on technical expertise, practical exercises, problem-solving and leadership. The learning covered planning, forecasting, setting objectives, prioritising, scheduling, budgeting, procedures and policies — theory blended with hands-on application.
On completion, graduates were evaluated by a senior management panel. Successful candidates received a certificate validating their readiness for appointment at Mine Overseer level.
June 2024
Horseman Leadership Course
Platinum producer, South Africa
The Horseman Leadership course showed us how to get results through taking control. It explains the different types of power that you as a leader have to obtain preferred outcomes. It is unbelievable that such a big animal can be submissive to you merely by winning his trust — giving clear instructions, communicating clearly, being assertive and showing him that you know exactly what you are doing.
I can clearly recommend this course to all people in leadership positions, so that we can develop a culture in our organisation where people have respect, self-motivation and willingness to learn by changing their mindset and their behaviour.
Horseman Leadership Engagement Programme
Coal producer, South Africa
Horses are the coaches in what the client called its most compelling supervisory development programme to date — a departure from classroom learning that helps supervisors identify limiting behaviours through their interactions with horses.
Taking the incorrect approach, you will get absolutely nothing out of a horse and it will immediately mirror how you feel. If leaders display uncertainty, fear or anger, they can expect their team members to feel exactly the same way.
This is a programme where the penny really drops, and our people are loving it.
Seventy of more than 300 supervisors were taken through the programme, with the remainder to follow.
Who we work with
Where the work happens
Comodex works with mining houses, contractors and industrial operations — from single-shaft operators to listed groups — across South Africa, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Botswana. Clients range from platinum, coal and copper producers to financial services, agriculture and logistics.
We do not publish client names without their written permission. Ask us and we will put you in touch directly with the people who ran the programme you are considering.
The programmes behind this work
Every engagement above was built from the same catalogue. If one of them resembles your situation, the underlying programme is set out here:
- Mining Operations Management (MOM) Programme — supervisory and middle-management development, the basis of the first two case studies above
- Mine Captain Development Programme — front-line leadership, delivered on the mine inside the shift cycle
- SHEQ and risk courses — hazard identification, legal liability and incident analysis
- How we work — the needs analysis, design, delivery and review cycle behind all of it
Ask us for references
We are happy to put you in touch with clients who have run the programme you are considering.