Forging success: Ayan’s commitment to safety and teamwork at Kazzinc

Ayan started his career at Glencore’s Kazzinc as an operator, studying alongside his work to learn more about metallurgy.

Today he is a shift supervisor at Kazzinc’s zinc smelter roasting plant, where he is responsible for a team of operators and their equipment, as well as monitoring and implementing safety standards.

Kazzinc is a large-scale producer of metals including zinc and lead. The smelter was the very first plant at the Kazzinc facility and converts zinc sulphide into zinc oxide, which is mainly used in the production of rubber.

“Metals like zinc play an important role in everyday life. I’m reminded of what I do when I use a kitchen appliance or a plane flies overhead. It gives meaning to the work we do at Kazzinc,” Ayan says. 

As a supervisor, one of Ayan’s main responsibilities is providing a safe environment for his team.

“It’s my job to make sure my colleagues are safe,” he explains. “Safety is our top priority, and I know my work is important because we want people to safely go home to their families at the end of each day.”

Each morning his team comes together to decide which jobs in the roasting plant are the priority and how to tackle them during the upcoming shift – from organising equipment repairs to aligning on feed composition for the furnace.

“My team works together as a unit and often comes to me for knowledge and advice while on the job. We treat each other with respect and share our expertise, and it’s up to me to make sure they can grow their skills,” says Ayan.

Outside of his work, Ayan is passionate about exercise. He tries to work out every day and finds the time to play sport with his colleagues.

“These interests outside of work help us to build trust – whether on the football field, at the gym or at the plant,” he explains.