Senior Mining Engineer

MRC Recruiting; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Senior Mine Planning Engineer role based in Elko, NV, supporting underground mine planning, design, and optimization. You will partner with Technical Services, Operations, and Geology to deliver safe, cost-effective mining plans aligning with near-term execution and long-term strategy.

You will lead technical studies, optimize drill and blast design, sequencing, and scheduling, driving continuous improvement while upholding safety and environmental standards across sites.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10+ years in underground mining, with planning, design and operations experience.
• Experience in hard rock mining and gold operations is preferred.
• Strong proficiency in mine planning, scheduling, and economic evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead underground mine planning activities including design, sequencing, scheduling, and optimization.
• Develop integrated mine plans with operations and geology aligned to targets.
• Provide technical leadership in drill and blast design and sequencing.
• Support life-of-mine, long- and short-term planning, including forecasting and budgeting.
• Lead technical studies and capital project evaluations.
• Analyze practices and implement improvements for efficiency and cost control.
• Develop systems and processes to improve planning accuracy and reporting.
• Communicate plans and recommendations to site leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Mine planning

3D visualization

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Mine planning software

Optimization software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our client is entering a new phase of evaluation and planning after suspending operations to prioritize exploration and technical studies. They're looking for a Senior Mine Planning Engineer to take on a key technical leadership role supporting underground mine planning, design, and operational optimization.

You’ll partner closely with Technical Services, Operations, and Geology to deliver safe, efficient, and cost effective mining plans that support both near term execution and longer term strategic goals. This role calls for a strong safety mindset, advanced technical expertise, and the ability to influence cross functional teams while driving continuous improvement in a fast moving operational environment.

What You’ll Do

• Mine Planning & Design Lead and support underground mine planning activities, including design, sequencing, scheduling, and optimization of mining operations
• Partner with Operations and Geology to develop integrated mine plans aligned with production targets and business objectives
• Provide technical leadership in drill and blast design, stope design, and underground sequencing to optimize safety, productivity, and cost performance
• Support life of mine, long term, and short term planning processes, including forecasting, budgeting, and progress tracking
• Technical Studies & Continuous Improvement Maintain and actively manage a register of mine planning risks and opportunities, identifying mitigation strategies and value improvement initiatives
• Lead or contribute to technical studies and projects, including AFE development, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and capital project evaluations
• Analyze current mining practices and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and cost effectiveness
• Develop and implement systems, processes, and best practices to improve planning accuracy, reporting, and operational execution
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities across mine planning, design, and execution
• Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement Support budget development and tracking, including cost forecasting and variance analysis
• Prepare and present technical reports, plans, and recommendations to site leadership and stakeholders
• Ensure all engineering deliverables meet required standards and are fit for purpose to support safe and effective operations
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including operations personnel and contractors

What You Bring

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience

• 5-10+ years of progressive experience in underground mining engineering, with strong exposure to mine planning, design, and operations
• Experience in conventional underground hard rock mining, preferably in gold operations
• Demonstrated experience in mine design, production scheduling (strategic and tactical), equipment selection, and economic evaluation
• Proficiency in mine planning and design software, with experience applying optimization techniques
• Knowledge of resource estimation, mineral inventory, and exploration methods is considered an asset
• Experience working in complex, multi mine or multi process environments preferred
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and 3D visualization skills, with the ability to evaluate technical data and develop sound recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• A strong commitment to safety, health, and environmental standards

A Note on Fit

We understand no candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!