Sr Mine Planning Engineer

Careermine; Butte (MT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana Resources is seeking a Mine Engineer to lead planning, design, scheduling, and optimization of open-pit mining operations at the Butte site. The role collaborates with operations, geology, maintenance, environmental and safety teams to meet production targets and cost objectives.

Responsibilities include developing short-term plans, coordinating drilling and blasting, and providing technical reports. Five+ years of experience and strong software skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field is required.
• Five+ years of progressive mining engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of mine design, planning software, and engineering principles.
• Experience with major mine planning software packages is expected.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-term mine plans and monitor daily activities.
• Coordinate drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling operations.
• Lead or support mine design projects and development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and environmental requirements.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Related engineering discipline

Tools

Hexagon MinePlan 3D

Vulcan

Deswik

Surpac

AutoCAD

Job description

The Mine Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, development, and optimization of mining operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective mineral extraction. This position provides technical leadership for mine planning, production scheduling, drill and blast planning, ore control activities, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Mine Engineer works closely with operations, geology, maintenance, environmental, and safety teams to achieve production and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-term mine plans
• Monitor daily mining activities and equipment productivity
• Coordinate drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling operations
• Improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime
• Track production targets and costs
• Performs other duties as assigned

Mine Planning & Design

• Assist in the development and evaluation of pit phases, pushbacks, haul road layouts, and mining sequences to support short- and long-range mine plans as needed.
• Collaborate with geology, the assay lab, and metallurgical engineering to use reserve models and blasthole models to produce ore control maps and other deliverables.

Project Management

• Lead or support short-range mine design projects and mine development initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering consultants, contractors, and vendors as necessary.
• Monitor short-range project execution to ensure timelines and objectives are achieved.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with MSHA and environmental regulations
• Conduct risk assessments and hazard analyses
• Coordinate with geotechnical engineering to develop ground control and slope stability plans.

Technical Analysis

• Use mine planning software for modeling and scheduling (Hexagon MinePlan 3D preferred).
• Analyze geotechnical and geological data
• Estimate equipment requirements and production rates
• Prepare technical reports and presentations
• Cross-train for proficiency in other mine engineering and geological disciplines
• Assist with other assignments as needed

Required Qualifications for this Position:

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Five plus years of progressive mining engineering experience.
• Strong knowledge of mine design, planning software, and engineering principles.
• Extensive experience with mine planning software such as Hexagon MinePlan 3D, Vulcan, Deswik, Surpac, AutoCAD, or similar systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience in hard rock open pit mining.
• Experience leading major mining projects.

About Us

Montana Resources operates an open pit copper and molybdenum mine in Butte, Montana. The operation comprises the Continental mine, crushers and a concentrator facility where tons of raw ore are processed into high-quality metal concentrates. We serve an international market for these important metals.
Butte grew as an early urban industrial center in the Rocky Mountain West to become legend as The Mining City. Montana Resources, one of The Washington Companies, has operated in Butte since 1985, continuing the mining tradition here. We are proud to be a Montana company and accordingly value our beautiful environment and our friendly communities.