I’m sharing some of the knowledge I’ve recently gained from my studies at Wits Business School in the Strategy module. Mining is one of the most complex industries, where technical precision must align with strong leadership to achieve sustainable outcomes. The framework of Strategic Leadership, built on four pillars; Strategy, Culture, Operations, and People, offers a powerful way to think about leadership in mining (Timothy Tiryaki’s 4 Focus Areas of Strategic Leadership). For mine planning engineers, these pillars provide a guide for turning designs into practical results. Strategy: Shaping the Mine’s Future For mine planning engineers, strategy means more than hitting monthly tonnage. It’s about aligning short-term schedules with the mine’s long-term vision. For example, sequencing blocks today must not only feed the plant consistently but also create space for future drilling and development. Culture: The Glue That Holds It Together As my lecture Mzoxolo Gulwa like to say: “Culture will eat strategy for breakfast.” In mining, culture defines how teams respond when conditions change. A planning engineer who fosters collaboration between geologists, drill & blast teams, geotechnical engineers and operators ensures challenges are tackled collectively, maintaining both safety and production momentum. Operations: Turning Plans into Action A great plan means nothing without disciplined execution. Operations leadership for a planner is about ensuring schedule compliance, monitoring equipment utilization, and optimizing designs for efficiency. For example, when longer haul distances slow down trucks, redesigning routes or adjusting cut layouts or even running Load and Haul Simulations that ensure effective truck allocation and route selection can immediately restore productivity and reduce costs. People: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow Mining is powered by people, not machines. Strategic leaders invest in developing their teams. A planner who mentors juniors in software like Deswik, Datamine or Alastri builds capability that strengthens not just today’s schedule, but the mine’s long-term resilience and talent pipeline. The North Star in Mining The intersection of these four pillars is the North Star, the balance between thinking and feeling, macro and micro perspectives. A mine planning engineer who applies this balance doesn’t just deliver schedules; they create value, foster innovation, and ensure the mine thrives sustainably.