Extraction Manager

Iluka Resources; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Parental leave

Shares matching scheme

Training & development

Bonus structure

Job summary

Iluka Resources is seeking a senior operational leader to set and deliver the strategic direction of Balranald's extraction operations. You will ensure ore delivery specs are met, drills are effectively utilised, and the ore body is recovered, with autonomy and high-level decision-making.

The role reports to the Operations Manager and demands experience in mining leadership, vendor management, and driving safe, productive outcomes in a challenging industrial environment.

Qualifications

• Well-rounded operational leader with experience delivering safe and productive outcomes in mining, resources, or medium to heavy industrial environments.
• Proven ability to lead through others, building capability, accountability, and high-performing teams.
• Tertiary qualification in Mining, Engineering, Construction, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Exposure/experience in the management of mining, fabrication, engineering or other operational vendors and personnel.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching leaders, managing performance, and fostering team engagement.
• Experience or exposure to drilling operations is a preference but not a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Optimise and track mineral extraction operations.
• Ensure optimal utilisation of drills, mud plant, fixed surface support plant, drilling and pipe workshops and equipment such that utilisation, throughput, meters, and availability metrics are realised for each drill.
• Manage underground mining extraction operations contingent with contracts and industry best practice.
• Ensure maximum reserve recovery is achieved through utilising, promoting, and improving plant standard operations practices and systems as well as efficient techniques.
• Deploy infrastructure and resources (capital, people, operating etc.) effectively through consulting with internal stakeholders to ensure extraction operations are appropriately planned scheduled and executed.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Drilling operations (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining/Engineering or related field

Job description

8 days on, 6 days off roster FIFO from Melbourne

Join Iluka's new Balranald Operation that deploys a novel, remotely operated, underground mining technology based on Horizontal Direction Drilling platforms to extract ore. Balranald deposit is one of the highest-grade mineral sands deposits in the world, containing significant quantities of titanium minerals rutile and zircon, as well as smaller but material quantities of rare earths.

About The Location

Iluka's Balranald operation is located just outside of Balranald township in regional south-western NSW. You can choose to reside locally, drive-in drive-out from towns within the regional area, or fly-in fly-out from a capital city.

About the Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you are accountable for setting and delivering the strategic direction of the extraction operations team at Balranald, ensuring ore delivery specifications are met, drills are effectively utilised, and the ore body recovered.

This is a senior leadership role managing a dynamic and complex business unit and therefore requires an individual who demonstrates an elevated level of autonomy, critical thinking, and decision-making ability.

You can find out about our Balranald operation through the following link:

https://www.iluka.com/operations-resource-development/operations/balranald/

Your accountabilities will include:

Optimise and track mineral extraction operations

Ensure optimal utilisation of drills, mud plant, fixed surface support plant, drilling and pipe workshops and equipment such that utilisation, throughput, meters, and availability metrics are realised for each drill

Manage underground mining extraction operations contingent with contracts and industry best practice

Ensure maximum reserve recovery is achieved through utilising, promoting, and improving plant standard operations practices and systems as well as efficient techniques

Deploy infrastructure and resources (capital, people, operating etc.) effectively through consulting with internal stakeholders to ensure extraction operations are appropriately planned scheduled and executed

About you:

Well-rounded operational leader with experience delivering safe and productive outcomes in mining, resources, or medium to heavy industrial environments

Proven ability to lead through others, building capability, accountability, and high-performing teams

Tertiary qualification in Mining, Engineering, Construction, or a related discipline is preferred

Exposure/experience in the management of mining, fabrication, engineering or other operational vendors and personnel

Strong people leadership skills, including coaching leaders, managing performance, and fostering team engagement

Experience or exposure to drilling operations is a preference but not a requirement

Our Offer to You:

Be involved in the ongoing development of a new mine with new mining methods

Family friendly 8:6 roster FIFO/DIDO/Residential

Opportunities for training and professional development

Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave

Competitive remuneration package including allowances and bonus structure

Company shares matching scheme

Attractive relocation assistance packages for those interested

If you share our values of Integrity, Respect, Courage, Accountability and Collaboration; and you have the skills and experience to help us to succeed and deliver sustainable value,

Full working rights in Australia are required for you to be eligible to apply for this role.

Applications Close: 06 October 2026

"We respect and encourage diversity in a workforce that reflects our communities."