Senior Strategic Mine Planning Engineer, Copper SA - Adelaide

BHP Group; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Strategic Mine Planning Engineer for Copper SA at BHP Group in Adelaide leads long-term strategic planning across copper assets, partnering with site teams to optimise ore reserves and design solutions. You will develop mine plans, run schedules, and drive continuous improvement using industry methods and advanced scheduling tools.

Based in Adelaide with occasional site travel, you will influence across multiple projects, ensure safety and productivity, and support Ore Reserve

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Mining Engineering (or equivalent), with a strategic mindset.
• Extensive experience in underground mine planning and operations across various operations/projects.
• Expertise in underground hard rock mining methods including block caving.
• Demonstrated successful communication of complex issues and influencing positive change.
• Adept at leading and influencing diverse groups in a large organisation.
• Deep technical knowledge of mine planning as an integrated activity with all other technical disciplines.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in delivering studies through to operations readiness and execution.
• Previous experience as a Competent Person for Ore Reserves Reporting is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Deswik and/or Cave mining method production scheduling software.

Responsibilities

• Develop mine planning strategies to support growth opportunities within the Copper SA province.
• Produce underground mine designs and schedules across multiple mining methods to optimise long-term value
• Support the integration and optimisation of Copper SA.
• Utilise industry experience to develop continuous improvement initiatives
• Leverage your expertise and industry connections to bring new technologies and ways of working to the business to improve safety and productivity.
• Promote mine planning as the vehicle that supports, collates, and drives forward all technical disciplines and asset optionality.
• Support the annual Ore Reserve estimation and declaration.
• Provide technical support for significant mine planning projects, studies, and reviews.
• Apply divergent thought to value optimisation for the operations.
• Communicate and collaborate with other Planning and Execution teams.
• Develop scopes of work to engage additional external stakeholders as required to support business needs.
• Project management of packages of work as required to support studies.
• Monitor and maintain progress for all design work, using the relevant team tools.

Skills

Strategic mindset

Underground mine planning

Stakeholder communication

Leadership

Technical integration

Education

Mining Engineering degree

Tools

Deswik

Cave mining scheduling

Job description

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Senior Strategic Mine Planning Engineer, Copper SA - Adelaide

Date: 7 Sept 2026

Job Posting End Date:

Job Country: Australia

Job State/Province: South Australia

About Copper SA Operations at BHP

BHP is a global resources company operating across more than 90 locations worldwide. Through Copper South Australia (Copper SA), we are building a leading copper portfolio that supports the global energy transition, supplying materials essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure.

BHP’s copper province in South Australia (Copper SA) comprises the Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena underground mines, with smelter and refinery complex at Olympic Dam. The company is also progressing the Oak Dam exploration prospect.

For you, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading copper businesses.

About the Role

Reporting to the Superintendent Strategic Mine Planning, you will be part of a team supporting growth studies, Life of Asset planning and Ore Reserve reporting for the Copper SA assets.

Through insight and innovation, you will play a critical role in long-term strategic mine planning to support and align with business priorities.

This unique role can influence and inform strategic mine planning outcomes across multiple sites using various underground mining methods while interfacing with project teams to deliver value.

Your extensive industry experience will enable you to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide stakeholder group with the ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation.

This role is based in Adelaide with occasional site travel required.

In this role you will:

• Develop mine planning strategies to support growth opportunities within the Copper SA province.
• Produce underground mine designs and schedules across multiple mining methods to optimise long-term value
• Support the integration and optimisation of Copper SA.
• Utilise industry experience to develop continuous improvement initiatives
• Leverage your expertise and industry connections to bring new technologies and ways of working to the business to improve safety and productivity.
• Promote mine planning as the vehicle that supports, collates, and drives forward all technical disciplines and asset optionality.
• Support the annual Ore Reserve estimation and declaration.
• Provide technical support for significant mine planning projects, studies, and reviews.
• Apply divergent thought to value optimisation for the operations.
• Communicate and collaborate with other Planning and Execution teams.
• Develop scopes of work to engage additional external stakeholders as required to support business needs.
• Project management of packages of work as required to support studies.
• Monitor and maintain progress for all design work, using the relevant team tools.

About You

• Degree qualified in Mining Engineering (or equivalent), with a strategic mindset.
• Extensive experience in underground mine planning and operations across various operations/projects.
• Expertise in underground hard rock mining methods including block caving.
• Demonstrated successful communication of complex issues and influencing positive change.
• Adept at leading and influencing diverse groups in a large organisation.
• Deep technical knowledge of mine planning as an integrated activity with all other technical disciplines.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in delivering studies through to operations readiness and execution
• Previous experience as a Competent Person for Ore Reserves Reporting is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Deswik and/or Cave mining method production scheduling software.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

At BHP, you’ll do meaningful work in an environment that supports you to perform at your best; on site and at home. That’s why our benefits are designed to support your health, your growth, and your personal balance:

• Grow your career your way, with opportunities to develop and move across BHP
• Be rewarded with competitive pay, performance bonuses and our BHP employee share plan
• Work in an inclusive team where people support each other every day
• Enjoy flexibility and family-friendly options that help you balance work and life
• Access wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance for you and your family
• Build your future with benefits like paid parental leave, recognition programs, etc.

About Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.

We Support a Diverse Workforce

At BHP, we believe diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and can thrive. Our workforce reflects the communities where we operate, and we value all aspects of identity; gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education, and more.

We ensure that our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and equitable. If you have a disability and need adjustments, please contact us at [e-mail].