Senior Rock Engineering Specialist

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 129,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement benefits

Life insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Rock Engineering Specialist to ensure stability and safety of underground mining near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape region. You will apply rock mechanics to analyze ground conditions, design support systems, and mitigate geotechnical risks while collaborating with planning and operations teams.

The role involves monitoring, interpreting data from extometers and convergence measurements, and developing rock engineering strategies aligned with industry standards and

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in rock engineering for underground mining.
• Experience with rock mass classification, ground support design, and numerical modelling.

Responsibilities

• Characterize rock mass and assess underground excavations.
• Design and optimize rock support systems (bolting, meshing, shotcrete).
• Develop ground monitoring programs and analyze data from monitoring instruments.
• Perform numerical modelling to evaluate stability of excavations and structures.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice to mine planning and production teams.
• Investigate rockbursts and other geotechnical hazards.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Skills

Rock mechanics

Geotechnical engineering

Mining engineering

Numerical modelling

Seismic monitoring

Education

Master's degree in Rock Mechanics/Geotechnical Engineering

Ph.D. in a closely related field

Tools

Rocscience suite

FLAC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant mining operator in the Eastern Cape region, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Rock Engineering Specialist to ensure the stability and safety of their underground mining operations near Queenstown . This critical role involves applying advanced principles of rock mechanics and geomechanics to analyze ground conditions, design support systems, and mitigate geotechnical risks. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and implementing rock engineering strategies, conducting site investigations, and providing expert advice to mine planning and production teams. You will be responsible for monitoring ground conditions, interpreting monitoring data, and ensuring that all rock engineering practices align with industry best standards and regulatory requirements. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to operational safety and efficiency in a demanding mining environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed rock mass characterization and geotechnical assessments for underground excavations.
• Design and optimize rock support systems (e.g., bolting, meshing, shotcrete) for various mining conditions.
• Develop and implement ground monitoring programs, analyzing data from extensometers, piezometers, and convergence measurements.
• Perform numerical modeling (e.g., finite element analysis) to assess the stability of excavations and mine structures.
• Provide expert geotechnical advice and recommendations to mine planning, development, and production departments.
• Investigate and analyze rockbursts, instabilities, and other geotechnical hazards.
• Contribute to the development and updating of rock engineering standards and procedures.
• Collaborate with geologists and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated mine design and safety.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and present findings to management and operational teams.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Rock Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in rock engineering, with a significant focus on underground mining.
• Demonstrated expertise in rock mass classification, ground support design, and numerical modeling techniques.
• Proficiency with industry-standard rock mechanics software (e.g., Rocscience suite, FLAC).
• Strong understanding of seismology and seismic monitoring in mining environments is highly desirable.
• Experience in the Eastern Cape mining context is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information.
• Must be willing to work on-site near Queenstown , with occasional travel requirements.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng, Pr.Sci.Nat) is highly regarded.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive base salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical aid, retirement benefits, and life insurance are provided.
• This is a permanent, full-time position based at the mine site, offering direct involvement in critical operational decisions.
• Opportunities for professional development, attending industry conferences, and advancing your career within a stable mining organization are abundant.
• The company is committed to fostering a safe and supportive work environment in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa .