Head of Mining Operations

MatchaTalent; West Coast Division; On-site; MYR 440,000 - 596,000; Full time

Job summary

MatchaTalent seeks a Head of Mining Operations to lead underground mining across a remote FIFO site in Papua New Guinea, delivering safe and productive production that aligns with business objectives.

The role works with Technical Services, Geology, and Executive Management to optimize plans, manage multi-disciplinary teams, and uphold strict safety and regulatory standards in a challenging environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or closely related engineering discipline.
• Must hold PNG Metalliferous Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (CoC) or be eligible to obtain one.
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for underground mining operations, including development, production, ground support, ventilation, and mine services.
• Collaborate with Technical Services and Geology to develop short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans.
• Ensure compliance with mining legislation, safety requirements, and Mine Safety Management System.
• Manage departmental budgets, OPEX, CAPEX, and cost optimization.
• Oversee contractor performance to meet targets and standards.
• Lead and develop Mining Superintendents, Supervisors, and engineers.
• Monitor production performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster collaboration across mine operations, maintenance, processing, and support functions.

Skills

Leadership

Safety management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related

Job description

This role requires the candidate to work in Central Province, Papua New Guinea.

Client Overview

Our client is a rapidly growing mining and natural resources company focused on the exploration, development, and production of gold and base metal assets across Papua New Guinea. Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), the company is leading the redevelopment of a historic underground gold mining operation while expanding its portfolio of high-potential exploration licenses within one of the world's most prospective mineral regions.

Operating in a highly remote and logistically complex environment, the organization manages underground mining infrastructure, mineral processing facilities, transportation networks, and site support operations to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable production. With a strong commitment to operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, the company continues to invest in modern mining practices, workforce capability, and long-term resource development.

Job Role

The Head of Mining Operations is the senior site leadership role responsible for directing all underground mining activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and commercially successful production across the operation. This position provides strategic leadership for mine development, production planning, contractor management, operational performance, and workforce capability while maintaining strict compliance with statutory mining regulations and international safety standards.

Working closely with Technical Services, Geology, Processing, and Executive Management, the successful candidate will drive production performance, optimize operational efficiency, manage large multidisciplinary teams, and foster a high-performance safety culture within a challenging remote FIFO mining environment.

Key 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.

Candidate Requirements

• Open to all nationalities with eligibility to obtain the necessary work permits and travel authorization for Papua New Guinea.
• 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.

Job Code: #787