Senior Mining Engineer

ASARCO; Marana (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ASARCO invites a Senior Mining Engineer to join our open-pit copper operation in Marana, AZ. You will develop short-, mid-, and long-range mine plans, optimize sequences, haulage routes, and leach pad placements to support heap leach operations.

You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate with geology, metallurgy, and operations teams, and actively promote safety and environmental stewardship across mine planning activities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in open-pit mining with short-, mid-, and long-range planning.
• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering.
• Experience in large-scale copper heap or dump leach operations desirable.
• Proficiency with Hexagon Mine Plan Activity Scheduler and pit optimization tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage daily to long-range mine plans for open-pit copper operation.
• Design drill & blast sequences, haulage, and leach pad placements.
• Monitor performance, reconcile against short-range plans, and adjust as needed.
• Coordinate with geology, metallurgy, and operations teams for daily execution.
• Mentor junior staff and support technical teams.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance in planning activities.

Skills

Mine scheduling

Cost optimization

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering

Tools

Hexagon Mine Plan Activity Scheduler

MPSO

Pit optimization tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

Job description

The Senior Mining Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing short-, mid-, and long-range mine plans for an open-pit copper operation mining approximately 65,000 tons per day to support leaching operations.

This role ensures optimized mining sequences, haulage, and leach cycle placements, cost-effective operations, safe working conditions, and efficient leach pad utilization, while mentoring junior staff and coordinating with operational and technical teams.

Requirements:

• Develop and manage daily and weekly mine plans for material extraction, including designing, drill & blast sequence, haulage, and leach pad placements.
• Monitor and reconcile operational performance against short-range plans; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Coordinate closely with operational teams (mining, drilling/blasting, pad stacking, metallurgy) to ensure smooth execution of daily plans.
• Prepare rolling monthly and quarterly forecasts, and annual mining budgets (tonnage, grade, stripping ratios, equipment utilization, and reagent usage).
• Optimize pit sequencing, leach pad lift designs, haulage routes, and waste management strategies.
• Identify and recommend operational improvements to increase productivity and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with Geotechnical Engineering on slope and dump stability
• Generate and regularly update life-of-mine plans based on evolving pit designs, geologic models, and economic parameters.
• Conduct pit optimization studies using industry-standard software.
• Provide technical analysis for strategic projects, expansions, and regulatory filings
• Mentor and support junior mine planning engineers, facilitating their professional growth.
• Interface effectively with cross-functional teams, including geology, metallurgy, Mine Operations, environmental, and safety.
• Promote and enforce high standards of safety and environmental responsibility across mine planning activities.

Job Requirements:

• Education & Certification: Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering
• Minimum 7 years' experience in open-pit mining engineering with direct experience or responsibility for short-, mid-, and long-range mine planning.
• Specific experience in large-scale copper operations utilizing heap or dump leach processes is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in mine planning software: Hexagon, including Mine Plan Activity Scheduler, MPSO and pit optimization tools.
• Proficiency with fleet-management/dispatch systems and data analytics tools (SQL, Python, Power BI)
• Strong knowledge of haulage modeling software
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with expertise in mine scheduling and cost optimization.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills; capable of clearly presenting technical data to various stakeholders.
• Comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance
• Commitment to a strong safety culture and responsible environmental management practices.

ASARCO LLC provides equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, actual or perceived disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by local, state, or federal law(s).

Candidates must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and pre-employment physical including a drug screen.