Senior Mine Planner - Open Pit

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mine Planner for open-pit operations in Welkom, Free State. You will develop short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans using Deswik, Vulcan, and MinePlan to optimize production and resource recovery.

With 7+ years in mine planning and a Mining Engineering degree, you will collaborate with geology and surveying teams, assess feasibility studies, and ensure safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory standards in a hybrid on-site/remote setup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years in mine planning, open-pit focus.
• Proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan, and MinePlan suites.
• Knowledge of resource modeling and reserve estimation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan) to generate optimal designs and schedules.
• Perform strategic planning activities, including pit shell optimization, production scheduling, and equipment utilization analysis.
• Collaborate with geology and surveying teams to integrate resource models and survey data into mine plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mine developments and expansions.
• Monitor mine performance against plan and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with mining regulations, safety standards, and environmental policies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for mine management and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Hybrid work readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Mine Plan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the South African mining sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mine Planner specializing in open-pit operations. This role is based in the vibrant mining district of Welkom, Free State. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and executing short-term, medium-term, and long-term mine plans to maximize resource recovery and operational efficiency while ensuring safety and environmental compliance. You will work with a dedicated team of mining engineers, geologists, and surveyors, utilizing advanced mine planning software to create realistic and achievable production schedules. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to strategic mine development and operational improvements within a dynamic and resource-rich environment. The company is committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in all aspects of its mining activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Mine kế hoạch) to generate optimal designs and schedules.
• Perform strategic planning activities, including pit shell optimization, production scheduling, and equipment utilization analysis.
• Collaborate with geology and surveying teams to integrate resource models and survey data into mine plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mine developments and expansions.
• Monitor mine performance against plan and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant mining regulations, safety standards, and environmental policies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for mine management and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a strong focus on open-pit operations.
• Proven proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software packages.
• Solid understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment, and operational constraints.
• Experience with resource modeling and reserve estimation principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work model, balancing on-site collaboration in Welkom, Free State with remote analysis.
• Professional registration with ECSA is preferred.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits such as medical aid and a provident fund. Opportunities for professional development and career advancement are actively supported. The role is situated in the historically significant mining region of Welkom, Free State, providing a stable operational base. Our client is dedicated to ensuring a safe and productive work environment, with a strong emphasis on health, safety, and employee well-being. Hybrid work arrangements offer flexibility while ensuring essential on-site collaboration.