Hermanus Taute
$7/hr
I am an Environmental Scientist with a M.Sc. I have a large, varying skill set.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Information
Name
Date of birth
Gender
Citizenship
Marital status
Address
Contact details
E-mail
Hermanus Taute
16 January 1989
Male
South African
Unmarried
11 Amajuba street, Potchefstroom, 2531
+27 --
Academic Background
M.Sc Environmental Science-
North-West University – Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa.
I have completed and graduated (M.Sc in Environmental Science) with specific focus on mine rehabilitation and
vegetation Ecology. My research involved the testing and analysis of coated and non-coated seed types for the
rehabilitation of gold and platinum mine tailings storage facilities in South Africa. This research will equip the mining
and rehabilitation industry with additional knowledge regarding sustainable rehabilitation and land management
practices towards successful closure. During my study I used scientific monitoring and data analysis techniques to
establish the success of species germination, establishment, growth and re-growth, whilst incorporating principles
of Soil Science and Vegetation Ecology.
Title of MSc study - The evaluation of five coated and non-coated grass species for the rehabilitation of gold and
platinum mine tailings in South Africa.
B.Sc. Honors
2011
Environmental Management
North-West University – Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa.
Main Subjects: Hydrology | Applied Geographic Information Systems | Environmental legislation | Introduction to
Environmental Management | Environmental Analysis
Title of research project: Do the 2006 NEMA Regulations Improve Environmental Impact Assessment Review
quality?
B.Sc. Degree
2010
Geography and Botany
North-West University – Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa.
Main Subjects: Geography |Botany |Chemistry |Zoology |Industrial psychology| Biodiversity and Environmental
Botany| Geographic Information Systems |Plant physiology
1
Professional background
Environmental Scientist
April 2017 – current
Sebata Environmental Science – Potchefstroom
SES specializes in the production of specialist fertilizer products for application in agriculture as well as
ecological rehabilitation/restoration.
The work entails project management for a range of companies including major mining houses. Professional
soil sampling and analysis, fertilizer recommendations as well as rehabilitation plans and specifications for
mined, impacted and contaminated land, implementation of rehabilitation practices, environmental
compliance and closure are part of the suite of services employed by SESS. As an Environmental Scientist it is
my responsibility to ensure all these functions are carried out according to time, specification and budget. I
am also part of the product research and development team where I research trials for the improvement of
current and future fertilizer and/or microbial solutions for challenging chemical/biological remediation.
Some of the projects currently being managed includes:
Discard coal spills;
Wetland remediation;
Discard coal tailings rehabilitation (with and without topsoil);
Farmland rehabilitation ( explosive manufacturing plant pollution); and
Microbiological product implementation.
Project manager/ecologist
October 2016 – March 2017
North-West University (NWU) – Potchefstroom
The NWU was appointed by the South African - Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to implement
bush clearing and rehabilitation strategies in the North-West and Limpopo Provinces. I was responsible for
project management, scientific surveys and monitoring (vegetation and soil), implementation of bush clearing
methods and rehabilitation technologies, meeting with stakeholders, municipalities, local managers, land
users and tribal leaders to establish a working group for this project.
The project aim was to create a national, digital platform with scientifically based research for the successful
clearing of woody species, and guidelines for the successful management of natural grazing.
During my time at the NWU I was exposed to varying stakeholder engagements and represented the project
on platforms such as the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
During my time at the NWU I also formed part of a team using UAV technology to map vegetation growth and
re-growth in areas impacted by woody species. The work was carried out in conjunction with teams from
Greece and stakeholders from the South African DEA – working first hand with UAV’s developed my interest
in the applications thereof in environmental scoping and monitoring and I feel that this is technology that can
be used for the benefit of any environmental team and company.
Technical Environmental Assistant
April 2016
Anglo American, Greenside Colliery – Witbank
During this fixed term contract I supervised and assisted in the rehabilitation of a contaminated wetland
(discard coal spill) on the Greenside colliery through the use of soil remediation, fertilization, re-vegetation
and landscaping of impacted areas. Work included management of a six man team and planning of work
activity related to time and budget requirements. I gained valuable experience in the use of alternative
methods for rehabilitation using newly developed fertilizers as well as practical applications on a logistically
difficult site.
2
Field work Assistant
March 2016
North-West University, Potchefstroom.
Assisted with fieldwork in the Kalahari - specifically the Molopo Nature Reserve and surrounding farms,
regarding the impact of bush encroachment on field carrying capacity. Vegetation and soil surveys were
completed using the Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) method, as well as line transects to establish species
composition, size, occurrence, diversity and the impact of chemical and veld fire control in the selected study
areas.
Botany Assistant/Facilitator
2015 & 2016
North-West University, Potchefstroom.
Assisted with University of South Africa (Unisa) and first year NWU Botany student’s practicals – this involved
the setup of scientific experiments and guidance of students during laboratory and field work sessions.
Environmental Specialist
January 2014 – February 2015
Planning and Sustainability - Transnet Capital Projects, Johannesburg, South Africa
Environmental Planning for major programmes such as the Durban Dig out Port, Overvaal tunnel and
Waterberg Rail upgrade. Project management of consultants - including scheduling, budget compilation and
contract management.
Involvement in specialist studies (Fauna and Flora) as well as identification of suitable sites for geotechnical
investigations.
Managing of contractors for hazardous material sites (Chrome VI) cleanup.
Application and management of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s), Water use license applications,
Environmental Management Plans, Stakeholder engagement.
Research, review and approval of multi-disciplinary reporting.
Full project lifecycle involvement – planning to operation.
Auditing of Transnet projects countrywide regarding environmental legislation, company policy and
standards.
Project support through Environmental pre-feasibility studies, fatal flaw analysis, risk assessment.
Training of construction staff with regard to Environmental induction/awareness.
Reporting for various programmes into all levels of organisation.
Coordination of disciplines and engagement with National Environmental Authorities on a monthly basis.
Mentoring of graduates in training – guidance through training plan development, review of work completed
according to these individual training plans, ensuring experience was gained in a practical manner.
Environmental Specialist
June 2013 – December 2013
Planning and Sustainability at Transnet Capital Projects, Durban, South Africa
Environmental Planning for major programmes such as the Durban Dig out Port, Overvaal tunnel and
Waterberg Rail upgrade. Project management of consultants - including scheduling, budget compilation and
contract management.
Application and management of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA’s), Water use license applications,
Environmental Management Plans, Stakeholder engagement.
Environmental officer duties including auditing, setup of contractor method statements, policies.
Set up of Environmental criteria for potential tenderers.
Tender evaluation of major programme environmental components.
3
Compliance monitoring at various sites and indication of sensitive/critical environmental areas.
Management of contractors’ with regard to sensitive environmental areas and approvals from Authorities to
conduct studies for the protection thereof.
Management of EIA processes, consultants and stakeholders.
Internal environmental policy generation and compliance.
Internal Governance structures implementation and coordination (ISO 14001).
Involvement in fieldwork specialist studies for fauna and flora biodiversity surveys.
Auditing of Transnet projects countrywide regarding environmental legislation, company policy and
standards.
Environmental Graduate in Training
January 2012 – June 2013
Transnet Capital Projects, Durban, South Africa
Followed a structured 18 month training plan with formal assessments before a panel of peers to establish my
improvement/leadership development/initiative and technical knowledge whilst gaining experience in a
variety of technical and academic situations.
Environmental Officer Duties at various sites (From Pre-feasibility to Closure).
Training included but was not limited to the following: Strategic Environmental Assessments, Environmental
Impact Assessment Management and Permitting, Environmental Sensitivity and Planning, Biodiversity Offsets,
Engagement with Environmental Authorities, Tender evaluation, Environmental Legislation – review and
implementation, Environmental reporting, Ad hoc assignments.
Environmental Management Related Training Courses
Courses and conferences
2016: Land Rehabilitation Society of South Africa (LaRSSA) annual conference attendance in Kimberley,
Northern Cape:
Poster presentation. Title of poster: “The evaluation of five coated and non-coated grass species for the
rehabilitation of gold and platinum mine tailings in South Africa”.
2016: Department of Environmental Affairs Annual National Management, Research and Planning Forum,
Pretoria Botanical Gardens.
2016: Representation of NWU at UNCCD.
2016: DuPont Plant Sciences symposium, Potchefstroom. Poster presentation of Master’s result. Title of
poster: “The evaluation of five coated and non-coated grass species for the rehabilitation of gold and
platinum mine tailings in South Africa”.
2016: SAGIC Invasive Species Training Course. Module 1 – Introduction to Legislation and Module 2 –
Introduction to Herbicides and Control Methods.
2015: Basic Principles of Ecological rehabilitation and mine closure
Centre for Environmental Management, Potchefstroom.
2015: Land Rehabilitation Society of South Africa (LaRSSA) annual conference in Muldersdrift, South Africa.
Poster presentation. Title of poster: “The evaluation of five coated and non-coated grass species for the
rehabilitation of gold and platinum mine tailings in South Africa – Preliminary results”.
2013: Environmental Law for Environmental Managers,
Centre for Environmental Management, Potchefstroom.
2013: Workshop for the compilation of a Biodiversity Management Plan for the critically endangered
4
Pickersgill’s Reed Frog. Ballito, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
2013: Department of Environmental Affairs workshop regarding emergency incidents regulation.
Johannesburg.
2012: Environmental Risk Assessment and Management Based on ISO 31000, Centre for Environmental
Management, Potchefstroom.
2012: Implementing Integrated Management Systems: ISO 14001, Centre for Environmental Management,
Potchefstroom.
Additional courses
2013: Technical report writing, Human Mirror Coaching, Durban.
2013: Effective presentation skills, Human Mirror Coaching, Durban.
2012: Project lifecycle process - Transnet Capital projects internal training, Johannesburg.
2012: Time Management BYTES technology, Durban.
Computer Software efficiency
Word, PowerPoint, Excel, GIS, PAST, CANOCO, Global Mapper
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Portuguese
Excellent
Excellent
Fair
Awards
Awarded Academic Merit bursary from the North West University.
Member of the Golden Key International Honorary Society.
References
Mr Joseph McMahon.
Environmental Manager – Environmental and Planning Unit,
Transnet Capital Projects, Durban
Contact details:
+27 --Mr Piet van Deventer.
Soil Science
North-West University. Potchefstroom
Contact details:
+27 --Professor Klaus Kellner.
Environmental Science – Ecology,
North-West University, Potchefstroom
Contact details:
+27 --
5
6
