Senior Mine Planning Engineer

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based incentives

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mine Planning Engineer for an on-site Queenstown role in NZ. You will develop comprehensive short- and long-term mine plans, design pits, and optimize production schedules to maximize value while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

The role requires 7+ years in mine planning and design, strong software proficiency, and collaboration with geology and operations teams to ensure execution aligns with project goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years progressive experience in mine planning and design.
• Proficiency with mine planning software and scheduling tools.
• Strong knowledge of geological modeling, resource estimation, geostatistics.
• Experience in economic evaluations and feasibility studies.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize.
• Commitment to safety and environmental best practices.
• Experience in the Eastern Cape mining sector is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed mine plans, including pit designs and schedules.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Surpac, Vulcan, Deswik) to optimize mine layouts, drill and blast patterns, and equipment utilization.
• Conduct economic evaluations and sensitivity analyses to support decision-making for mine development and optimization projects.
• Collaborate with the geology team to interpret geological models and ensure accurate resource definition is incorporated into mine plans.
• Work closely with operations personnel to ensure the effective implementation of mine plans and to provide necessary adjustments based on site conditions.
• Monitor mining progress against planned targets, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and cost estimates related to mine planning activities.
• Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers.

Skills

Mine planning

Open-pit design

Scheduling tools

Geological modeling

Resource estimation

Geostatistics

Economic evaluations

Feasibility studies

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Safety and environment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

7+ years experience in mine planning and design

Tools

Surpac

Vulcan

Deswik

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic mining company with significant operations in South Africa, is seeking a proficient Senior Mine Planning Engineer to join their team in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA . This role is essential for the strategic development and execution of mining plans, focusing on optimizing resource extraction for both short-term and long-term horizons. The ideal candidate will possess a robust understanding of mine design software, production scheduling, and economic analysis, coupled with strong leadership capabilities. You will work closely with geology, operations, and engineering teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective mining practices. This is a hands-on, on-site position, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on the operational success within the resource-rich Eastern Cape province.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed short-term and long-term mine plans, including pit designs, production schedules, and waste disposal strategies.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Surpac, Vulcan, Deswik) to optimize mine layouts, drill and blast patterns, and equipment utilization.
• Conduct economic evaluations and sensitivity analyses to support decision-making for mine development and optimization projects.
• Collaborate with the geology team to interpret geological models and ensure accurate resource definition is incorporated into mine plans.
• Work closely with operations personnel to ensure the effective implementation of mine plans and to provide necessary adjustments based on site conditions.
• Monitor mining progress against planned targets, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and cost estimates related to mine planning activities.
• Ensure adherence to all health, safety, and environmental regulations and company policies.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mine planning and design, preferably in open-pit operations.
• Proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software and scheduling tools.
• Strong understanding of geological modeling, resource estimation, and geostatistics.
• Experience in conducting economic evaluations and feasibility studies related to mining projects.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• A commitment to safety and environmental best practices.
• Experience within the Eastern Cape mining sector is considered a strong asset.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, provident fund, and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression are available within the organization.
• This on-site role in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA , provides a challenging yet rewarding work environment where you can contribute directly to the success of key mining projects.
• Join a dedicated team committed to operational excellence and responsible resource development.