Sr. Engineer Mine

Asarco Llc; Marana (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ASARCO LLC in Arizona seeks a Senior Mining Engineer to develop and manage mine plans for an open-pit copper operation averaging about 65,000 tons per day to support leaching activities.

You will optimize sequences, haulage, and leach pad placement, enforce safety and environmental standards, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with geology, metallurgy, operations, and environmental teams to deliver cost-efficient results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering.
• 7+ years' experience in open-pit mining with short-, mid-, and long-range mine planning.
• Experience in large-scale copper heap/dump leach operations is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Hexagon Mine Plan, Mine Plan Activity Scheduler, MPSO, and pit optimization tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage daily and weekly mine plans for material extraction, including drill & blast sequencing, haulage, and leach pad placements.
• Monitor and reconcile performance against short-range plans; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Coordinate with mining, drilling/blasting, pad stacking, and metallurgy teams for smooth daily plan execution.
• Prepare rolling monthly/quarterly forecasts and annual mining budgets (tonnage, grade, stripping ratios, equipment utilization).
• Optimize pit sequencing, leach pad lift designs, haulage routes, and waste management strategies.
• Mentor junior mine planning engineers and collaborate with geology, metallurgy, operations, environmental, and safety teams.

Skills

Mine scheduling

Cost optimization

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Hexagon Mine Plan

Mine Plan Activity Scheduler

MPSO

Pit optimization tools

SQL

Python

PowerBI

Fleet-management systems

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, PowerBI)
• 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.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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, disability, military status, veteran status, familial status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by local, state, or federal law(s).