Backfill Engineer

Endura Mining; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Bus transport for Greymouth and Reeftn

Professional growth opportunities

West Coast NZ project exposure

Job summary

Endura Mining seeks a Backfill Engineer (Paste/CRF) to lead the design, coordination and optimisation of backfilling for LHOS and CAF stopes. You will ensure paste fill strength, quality and timing to maintain ground stability and ore recovery, while coordinating with paste plant, process plant and IWL facility.

You will work with Mining and Geotechnical Engineers, Paste Plant Operators and Underground Operations to deliver efficient backfill on schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• Experience in underground mining with LHOS/CAF.
• Understanding of paste fill, CRF, and stope sequencing.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate backfilling for LHOS/CAF.
• Ensure paste fill and CRF meet strength, timing, and quality specs.
• Coordinate interface between underground paste demand and surface tailings.
• Support commissioning and operability of paste plant and underground reticulation.

Skills

Underground mining

LHOS & CAF design

Ground control principles

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering

Geotechnical or Civil Engineering related field

Tools

Deswik

Job description

• Competitive Salary Package with Health Care

This is a rare opportunity to join Endura Mining at a foundational stage and help shape its future from the ground up. With active site operations in New Zealand and a growing Sydney-based corporate team, we are entering an exciting phase of rapid growth and transformation.

With production targeted within the next six months, our strategy is to grow into a multi-asset business operating three to five gold and copper projects. The stage is set for you to be part of this journey from the very beginning, where your contribution will directly influence how we scale and succeed.

We are seeking aBackfill Engineer (Paste/CRF)to join our team based onsite near Reefton on the West Coast of New Zealand.

As Backfill Engineer (Paste/CRF), you will be responsible for:

• The design, coordination, and optimisation of all backfilling activities supporting long-hole open stoping and cut-and-fill mining methods


• Ensures that paste fill and cemented rock fill systems deliver the required strength, quality, and timing to maintain ground stability, maximise ore recovery, and support safe extraction sequences


• Managing the operational interface between underground backfill demand and surface tailings disposal, ensuring effective coordination between the paste plant, process plant, underground operations, and the Integrated Waste Landform (IWL) Facility to maintain continuous and balanced tailings management


• Working closely with Mining Engineers, Geotechnical Engineers, Paste Plant Operators, and Underground Operations to ensure backfill is delivered efficiently and in accordance with geotechnical and operational requirements

Technical & Operational

• Stope-specific fill design — Develop fill designs for LHOS and CAF stopes, including binder content, fill heights, barricade requirements, and curing times


• Paste fill optimisation — Manage paste fill rheology, binder blends, slump targets, and delivery rates to meet strength and scheduling requirements


• CRF design & placement — Specify CRF mix designs, rock size distribution, cement dosage, and placement methods for CAF and secondary stopes


• Backfill sequencing — Integrate fill cycles into the mine plan, ensuring timely availability of filled stopes for drilling, blasting, and mucking, while coordinating the interface between underground paste demand and IWL tailings deposition sequencing. Coordinate curing times, re-entry requirements, and exposure sequencing to ensure safe and efficient return to mining activities following filling operations


• Barricade engineering — Design and approve barricades for LHOS and CAF stopes, ensuring structural integrity under expected fill pressures


• Pipeline & reticulation management — Oversee paste and CRF delivery systems, including boreholes, valves, reticulation lines, and instrumentation


• QA/QC testing — Implement slump tests, UCS sampling, binder tracking, and fill strength verification for both PF and CRF


• Fill performance review — Analyse fill curing, strength results, stope stability, and dilution performance to refine future designs


• Operational procedures & readiness — Develop and maintain paste filling procedures covering filling sequences, flushing, startup/shutdown protocols, line changeovers, diverter operation, and contingency response for blocked lines or plant interruptions


• Commissioning support — Support commissioning, ramp-up, and operational handover of the paste plant and underground reticulation systems, including procedure development, field validation, and operator training

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field.


• Experience in underground mining with exposure to long-hole open stoping, cut-and-fill, paste fill, and/or CRF.


• Understanding of:
  Paste fill rheology and binder chemistry
  CRF production and placement
  Stope design and sequencing for LHOS and CAF
  Mine planning software (Deswik)
  Ground control and geotechnical principles


• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.


• Ability to work underground and conduct field inspections.

What we offer:

• A unique project on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand


• Opportunity for professional growth


• Private health insurance with discounts for family members


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Bus transport for Greymouth and Reefton

Why Endura?

At Endura, your impact will be felt every day. You will have the autonomy to make the role your own, the opportunity to shape how we operate, and the chance to grow alongside a business that is scaling fast.

This is your chance to be part of something exciting, meaningful, and full of possibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Endura Mining is committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to equal employment opportunities.

What Happens Next?

Once we’ve received your application, our team will review it carefully.

If your skills and experience match the role, we’ll be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Thank you for your interest in joining Endura Mining.