Tailings Foreman

Origin Mining Company; Golden Valley (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Origin Mining Company is looking for a Tailings General Foreman to ensure safe and compliant operations of the tailings management facility. This hands-on leadership role includes overseeing contractor activities, dam construction support, and execution of the tailings management plan.

Candidates should have 5-10 years of experience in tailings operations, strong risk management skills, and a proactive approach to compliance. This position is physically demanding and requires effective coordination across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience in tailings operations within a mining environment.
• Strong understanding of tailings operations, slurry management, and operational risk.
• Experience managing contractors and coordinating across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day tailings facility operations.
• Ensure proper classification and routing of tailings material.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Tailings operations experience

Risk management

Contractor management

Communication skills

Job description

Scope

The Tailings General Foreman is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the mine's tailings management facility. As the site's primary owner of tailings operations, this role oversees tailings deposition, contractor activities, dam construction support, and execution of the tailings management plan.

Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, Environmental, Engineering, and the Engineer of Record (EoR), the Tailings General Foreman ensures tailings are produced, classified, and deposited in accordance with design requirements while supporting the ongoing development of the facility.

This is a hands‑on, site‑based leadership role requiring strong operational experience, sound technical judgment, and a proactive approach to risk management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tailings Operations

• Lead day-to-day tailings facility operations.
• Ensure proper classification and routing of tailings material, including coarse material for dam construction and fines for deposition areas.
• Coordinate tailings deposition activities in accordance with approved operating plans and EoR design parameters.
• Support tailings lifts, waste rock relocation, and facility development activities.
• Monitor operational performance and implement improvements where required.

Contractor & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Direct and coordinate contractors performing earthworks, dam raises, and related construction activities.
• Work closely with Mill Operations to ensure suitable tailings material is available for construction and deposition requirements.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to align equipment availability and repairs with operational priorities.
• Partner with Environmental personnel to ensure monitoring and compliance obligations are met.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with company standards, permits, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain alignment with EoR recommendations and facility operating criteria.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks that could impact tailings facility integrity.
• Participate in inspections, audits, investigations, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Maintain accurate operational records and reporting.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of experience in tailings operations within a mining environment.
• Experience supporting tailings deposition, dam construction, or tailings facility management.
• Strong understanding of tailings operations, slurry management, and operational risk.
• Experience managing contractors and coordinating across multiple departments.
• Strong planning, organizational, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of mining, environmental, and tailings regulatory requirements.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking on uneven surfaces, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motion.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather.
• Able to operate a telephone and mine phone/radio with sufficient voice and hearing to carry on a conversation for the purpose of communicating information.
• Able to hear sufficiently to distinguish various pitches of warning alarms.
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds periodically.