Tailings & Heap Leach Specialist: Design & Compliance

Nevada Gold Mines; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nevada Gold Mines is seeking a Tailings and Heap Leach Specialist for the Cortez operation. This role focuses on geotechnical design, safety, and regulatory compliance for tailings and heap leach facilities, supporting sustainable mining practices.

You will collaborate with site teams, review investigations, and drive standardization of practices while mentoring engineers and ensuring alignment with design, construction, and closure requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Geotechnical/Civil/Mining Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Tailings and Heap leach operations and construction required.
• Professional Engineer designation preferred.
• Geotechnical/Civil Engineering experience required.
• 10 years of experience in the mining or related industry preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required.
• Ability to work in a team required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct critical review of site investigation plans, technical report, engineering designs and construction drawings and specifications for Tailings and Heap Leach Facilities
• Stay up-to-date with the state of practice in geotechnical engineering applicable to the design and construction of earth structures
• Assist in promoting and developing standardizations of engineering practices across NGM operations and projects in relation to tailings and heap leach facilities management, stewardship and site monitoring and surveillance.
• Assist and ensure site’s compliance with regulatory requirements in Nevada
• Review the Dam Safety Inspections, Dam Safety Reviews and Assurance Reviews and ensure that the recommendations are acted upon
• Assist the sites in preparing for the Independent Third-Party Reviews, attend the scheduled reviews and ensure that the recommendations are acted upon
• Conduct regular performance reviews of the different NGM sites and as needed
• Design verification to meet standard with consideration to facility failure consequence
• Ensure facility water and depositional balances are in place and calibrated
• Ensure reclamation requirements are included in facility design
• Designate quantitative performance objectives for each facility and report on progress
• Ensure facility inspections and reviews are completedMaintain regular communication with qualified NGM site and corporate personnel for specialist reviews of geotechnical, hydrological, hydrogeological, and environmental issues
• Ensure tailings and heap leach facilities are operated to design intent
• Ensure design process and documents submitted by the Engineer of Record are consistent with the construction, operation, and closure performance requirements of the tailing’s storage or heap facilities
• Ensure compliance with management systems including:
• Document control integrity
• Management of change
• Contractor management
• Mentor, train and develop site-based engineers
• Perform other duties as required

Skills

Geotechnical engineering experience

Professional engineer designation

Strong oral and written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering or related engineering degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Nevada Gold Mines is seeking a Tailings and Heap Leach Specialist for the Cortez operation. This role focuses on geotechnical design, safety, and regulatory compliance for tailings and heap leach facilities, supporting sustainable mining practices.

You will collaborate with site teams, review investigations, and drive standardization of practices while mentoring engineers and ensuring alignment with design, construction, and closure requirements.