Chief, Underground Mining Operations (Remote FIFO)

MatchaTalent; Makassar; On-site; IDR 1,677,584,000 - 2,556,319,000; Full time

Job summary

MatchaTalent is recruiting a Head of Mining Operations for a remote FIFO operation in Papua New Guinea. The role leads all underground mining activities, develops mine plans, ensures safety, and drives production to meet commercial objectives.

You will manage large multidisciplinary teams, collaborate with Technical Services, Geology, and Executive Management, and uphold statutory mining regulations and international safety standards in a challenging remote environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Must hold a valid PNG Metalliferous Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (CoC), or demonstrate immediate eligibility to obtain one.
• Valid driver's license.
• Minimum 10 years of underground mining experience with at least 5 years in senior mining leadership roles such as Mine Manager, Underground Manager, Head of Mining, or equivalent.
• Proven experience leading underground mining operations within remote FIFO environments.
• Strong operational experience in narrow-vein underground mining methods.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mine planning, production scheduling, ground support systems, mine ventilation, contractor management, and mine management technologies.
• Strong leadership, decision‑making, stakeholder management, and operational planning capabilities.
• Excellent understanding of mining safety systems, statutory compliance, and operational risk management.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for underground mining operations, ensuring safe, productive, and efficient execution of mine development, production, ground support, ventilation, and mine services.
• Collaborate with Technical Services and Geology teams to develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans aligned with production targets and business objectives.
• Champion safety leadership by ensuring full compliance with mining legislation, statutory requirements, and the Mine Safety Management System.
• Manage departmental budgets, operational costs, capital expenditure planning, and continuous cost optimization initiatives.
• Oversee contractor performance to ensure compliance with productivity targets, contractual obligations, operational standards, and safety requirements.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Mining Superintendents, Shift Bosses, Supervisors, Engineers, and operational personnel while supporting succession planning and leadership development.
• Monitor production performance, identify operational risks, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to maximize mine productivity and operational reliability.
• Foster strong collaboration across mine operations, technical services, maintenance, processing, and support functions to achieve overall site performance objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Operations planning

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

PNG Metalliferous Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (CoC)

Job description

MatchaTalent is recruiting a Head of Mining Operations for a remote FIFO operation in Papua New Guinea. The role leads all underground mining activities, develops mine plans, ensures safety, and drives production to meet commercial objectives.

You will manage large multidisciplinary teams, collaborate with Technical Services, Geology, and Executive Management, and uphold statutory mining regulations and international safety standards in a challenging remote environment.