Rynier Shields graduated at the University of Pretoria with a BEng (Civil) in 2012. He started his civil engineering career in the Environmental Engineering department of Jones & Wagener in 2013, mainly focussing on water management and mining infrastructure related design projects. Rynier joined J&W’s Tailings department in 2017 and completed his Beng Honours degree in Geotechnical Engineering in 2018. He was promoted to Associate in 2021 and Technical Director in 2024. As of 2025, Rynier serves as head of the Tailings Department. Rynier is also appointed as a Director of Jones & Wagener UK.

Rynier has gained significant experience with TSF performance monitoring through continuous surveillance where he is currently appointed as the EoR for TSFs with varying consequence of failure classifications. He has led major TSF related design projects, together with various smaller design projects to support continued operation of TSF deposition in line with relevant guidelines, standards and legislation. Rynier has authored and co-authored two conference papers related to Tailings management.

Rynier is a professional engineer registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). He is also a member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), where he serves on the Geotechnical Division’s Tailings Sub-Committee.