Juan Villegas

Meet Juan, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent. Since 2022, Juan has built a career here showing how dedication and learning can take you far. He started with the company as a contractor working with the team on the water treatment operations, and after two years he joined full time. Recently, his work was recognized with a promotion to Superintendent.

When asked what he’s most proud of, Juan doesn’t mention his title, instead, he highlights being part of something from the ground up, “I’ve been here since before Water Treatment Plant 2 even existed,” he says, “Being able to watch the operations grow and improve over time is very rewarding.”

For Juan, his journey at South32 is a reminder that career growth is possible when you stay curious and committed. For people that are interested in joining the mining industry, he suggests, “Bring dedication and a strong sense of responsibility. Our goal is not only to keep operations running but also to ensure that everyone goes home safe and well every day.”

As Superintendent, a typical day for him consists in fixing issues, ensuring water treatment plant performance and upgrading current conditions. Every day is a mix of problem solving and coordinating with other departments to keep operations on track.

One of Juan’s favorite parts of his job is collaborating across departments and looking for ways to improve together, “I’m proud of what we’ve built, but I also know there’s always room to grow. My goal is to keep learning, keep improving, and make our work better every day.”

When Juan is not at site, he enjoys spending time with his wife and taking road trips throughout the state. “Along the ride, we stop in any rummage sales or thrift stores to find historical antiques that provide a glimpse of the past.” He says, “It’s a great way to relax and recharge when I’m outside of work.”

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