Engineering Specialist

Kinross Gold Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinross Gold Corporation seeks an Engineer Specialist to support mine planning, drill pattern design, blast scheduling and production reporting on site in the United States. You will collaborate with Geology, Geotechnics, Maintenance and Operations to optimize plans and ensure safe, efficient execution.

The role requires 1–5 years of open pit planning experience, proficiency with Deswik/AutoCAD/Vulcan/MineSite, and strong teamwork and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 1-5 years of planning and/or drill & blast experience in hard-rock, open pit operations.
• Proficiency with mining software packages (Deswik, AutoCAD, Vulcan, MineSite).
• Working knowledge of mine operations and drill & blast principles.
• Collaborative team player with strong technical attention to detail.
• Motivated to learn and improve mine planning practices.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate engineering plans, technical reports and sequences to Mine Operations and other stakeholders on site.
• Lead pit tours with mine operations and support daily production meetings.
• Optimize and improve short-range planning processes.
• Develop weekly mine plan and mill feed strategy; monitor adherence.
• Plan and schedule Drill and Blast activities.
• Use geological data and survey information to design blast patterns and timing.
• Collaborate with Geotechnical Engineer to optimize pit wall stability.
• Design pits, dumps, and infrastructure; assess risks to plans.
• Identify production and safety risks affecting mine plans and seek solutions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Strong communication

Tools

Deswik

AutoCAD

Vulcan

MineSite

Job description

The Engineer Specialist reports to the Senior Mine Engineer and is responsible for carrying out a full range of engineering functions including, but not limited to: mine planning, leach stacking plans, drill pattern design, drill and blast scheduling, blast pattern design, pit designs, stockpile, road and dump designs, mine analysis and production reporting. Will have direct involvement and communication with staff from other departments (Geology, Geotechnics, Maintenance and Operations).

Essential Functions

• 1. Develop and communicate engineering plans, technical reports and presentations, sequences, dumping priorities, etc. to Mine Operations and other stakeholders on site and ensure plans are carried out safely and efficiently
• 2. Leading pit tour with mine operations, supporting mine operations on the daily production meeting.
• 3. Working on optimizing and improving the short-range planning processes
• 4. Develop weekly mine plan, weekly mill feed strategy and perform a weekly mine plan adherence.
• 5. Drill and Blast Planning and Scheduling
• 6. Utilize geological data, mine plans and survey information to develop blast designs and shot timing, and release patterns as required for execution.
• 7. Consult and develop a close working relationship with the Geotechnical Engineer in order to optimize pit wall stability.
• 8. Perform accurate Drill/Blast pattern design duties on time - Preparation and Implementation of a Weekly Drill and Blast Plan.
• 9. Perform pit design, dump design and infrastructure/road design.
• 10. Identify risks (production and mine movement, equipment priorities, geotech, dewatering, grade, manpower, etc.) and opportunities that may impact the mine plans.
• 11. Ensure information flow and buy-in to the mine plan process from various departments (load and haul, drill and blast, processing, etc).
• 12. Collect and interpret technical data such as blast-induced vibration and utilize findings to inform pattern design decisions and improvements, with specific focus on high-risk sectors of the open pit.
• 13. Safety Performance & Record, perform field engagement and risk identifications.
• 14. Ensure drill & blast planning complies with applicable safety regulations, environmental standards, standard operating procedures and company best practices.
• 15. Promote and engage strongly with a pro-active safety culture.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• 1. 1-5 years of planning and/or drill & blast experience in hard-rock, open pit mine operations is strongly preferred.
• 2. Proficiency with mining software packages (Deswik, AutoCAD, Vulcan, MineSite) is strongly preferred.
• 3. Working knowledge of mine operations and drill & blast principles.
• 4. Comfortable working collaboratively in a team environment.
• 5. Strong engagement with technical details, self-motivated to learn and continuously improve our mine planning and drill & blast practices.
• 6. Must be presently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• 7. Valid driver’s license is required.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

• Adheres to all safety and environmental regulations.
• Has a strong commitment to safe working practices.
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment.
• Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions.
• Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements.