Feasibility Studies Manager – Mining & EPCM

Marvel Placement Consultant; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Marvel Placement Consultants seeks an experienced engineer to lead feasibility studies and project development for mining infrastructure, processing plants and tailings facilities. You will define study scope, budgets and schedules, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across EPCM environments, with travel to Marikana and Rustenburg.

The role requires a BEng/BSc Eng and 10+ years in mining or EPCM contexts, plus strong financial evaluation and leadership in delivering investment-ready

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering essential.
• 10+ years' mining/engineering experience.
• Experience leading feasibility studies (conceptual to feasibility).
• Knowledge of mining legislation and tailings management.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual, scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for mining projects.
• Define scope, objectives, schedules, budgets and resource needs.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants.
• Present study findings and investment considerations to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Presentation skills

Project management

Financial modelling

Cost estimation

Team coordination

Risk assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng)

Postgraduate qualification in engineering or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Project planning software

Cost estimation software

Job description

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (BEng/BSc Eng) or an equivalent recognised engineering qualification is essential.
• A postgraduate qualification in engineering, project management or a related discipline will be advantageous.
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in mining, engineering studies, project development or EPCM environments.
• Proven experience managing or leading conceptual, scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies within the mining industry.
• Demonstrated experience in mining infrastructure, mineral processing plants, tailings storage facilities, smelters or related metallurgical projects.
• Strong understanding of project economics, capital cost estimation, operating expenditure (OPEX), capital expenditure (CAPEX), financial modelling and investment evaluation.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams, consultants, specialist contractors and technical service providers.
• Sound knowledge of project risk assessment, technical due diligence, constructability, operability and lifecycle cost evaluation.
• Experience developing study scopes, schedules, budgets, deliverables and resource plans.
• Knowledge of relevant mining legislation, environmental requirements, engineering standards and tailings management principles.
• Strong report-writing, presentation, stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• Computer literacy, particularly in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and relevant project planning or cost estimation software.
• Willingness to travel regularly to mining and project sites, including Marikana and Rustenburg.

Roles and Responsibilities

Feasibility Studies and Project Development

• Lead and manage conceptual, scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for mining, mineral processing, smelting and associated infrastructure projects.
• Define study objectives, scope, deliverables, evaluation criteria, schedules, budgets and resource requirements.
• Assess project opportunities and determine technical, operational, commercial and financial viability.
• Coordinate the development and evaluation of engineering alternatives to identify the most practical, efficient and cost-effective solutions.
• Establish study assumptions, design criteria, production parameters, infrastructure requirements and project execution strategies.
• Ensure studies are developed to the appropriate level of definition, accuracy and maturity for investment decisions.
• Review and consolidate technical findings, cost estimates, risk assessments and financial evaluations into comprehensive study reports.
• Present study outcomes, recommendations, project risks and investment considerations to senior management and relevant stakeholders.

Mining, Tailings Dam and Smelter Projects

• Lead feasibility assessments for mining infrastructure, processing plants, smelters, tailings storage facilities and related infrastructure developments.
• Evaluate project requirements relating to mining operations, material handling, processing capacity, utilities, infrastructure and site services.
• Coordinate technical assessments for tailings storage facilities, including capacity requirements, site suitability, engineering options, water management, environmental considerations and closure requirements.
• Facilitate specialist inputs relating to tailings facility design, geotechnical conditions, hydrology, hydrogeology, water balance and environmental impact assessments.
• Coordinate feasibility studies for smelter projects, including process requirements, plant configuration, utilities, power supply, material handling, emissions control and associated infrastructure.
• Assess interfaces between mining operations, processing facilities, tailings facilities, smelters and supporting infrastructure.
• Identify technical constraints, operational risks, permitting requirements and infrastructure limitations that could affect project viability.
• Ensure relevant specialist engineering disciplines and independent technical experts are involved where required.

EPCM and Multidisciplinary Engineering Coordination

• Coordinate engineering inputs across civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, process, mining, environmental and other relevant disciplines.
• Manage consultants, engineering contractors and specialist service providers responsible for study deliverables.
• Ensure engineering designs, technical reports, specifications and calculations are aligned with the approved study scope and design basis.
• Review technical documentation to identify gaps, inconsistencies, assumptions and potential project risks.
• Ensure interfaces between engineering disciplines are adequately managed and integrated into the overall study.
• Monitor consultant performance, study progress, deliverable quality and compliance with agreed milestones.
• Promote effective collaboration between engineering, procurement, construction, operations and project management teams.
• Support the transition from completed feasibility studies into detailed engineering, procurement, construction and project implementation.

Cost Estimation and Financial Evaluation

• Oversee the preparation and validation of capital and operating cost estimates for mining and EPCM projects.
• Coordinate the development of CAPEX estimates, OPEX forecasts, project cash flows and financial evaluation models.
• Review equipment costs, infrastructure requirements, construction methodologies, contractor quotations and procurement assumptions.
• Assess project economics, including capital requirements, operating costs, production assumptions, revenue forecasts and potential returns.
• Evaluate financial indicators such as net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period and sensitivity scenarios, where applicable.
• Conduct sensitivity and scenario analyses to assess the impact of cost escalation, schedule changes, commodity prices, production rates and technical uncertainties.
• Identify cost optimisation opportunities while maintaining safety, quality, regulatory compliance and operational performance.
• Ensure financial assumptions and cost estimates are transparent, adequately supported and appropriate to the level of study.

Project Risk, Schedule and Quality Management

• Develop and maintain study execution plans, schedules, budgets, resource plans and progress reporting systems.
• Identify and assess technical, commercial, environmental, operational and execution risks associated with proposed projects.
• Coordinate risk workshops, risk registers, sensitivity assessments and mitigation planning.
• Monitor progress against approved study milestones, budgets and deliverables, implementing corrective measures where necessary.
• Ensure project assumptions, design changes, technical decisions and risk mitigation measures are properly documented.
• Establish quality review processes to ensure feasibility deliverables meet the required technical standards and accuracy levels.
• Identify information gaps, outstanding investigations and additional studies required before investment approval.
• Ensure appropriate reviews and approvals are completed before study recommendations are submitted for decision-making.

Environmental, Regulatory and Tailings Governance

• Ensure feasibility studies consider applicable mining legislation, environmental authorisations, water‑use requirements and other relevant regulatory obligations.
• Coordinate environmental, social, geotechnical, hydrological and other specialist assessments required for project development.
• Ensure tailings‑related studies consider facility safety, consequence classification, water management, seepage, stability, closure and rehabilitation requirements.
• Incorporate sustainability, resource efficiency, environmental impact mitigation and long‑term operating considerations into project evaluations.
• Ensure appropriate specialist design expertise and independent reviews are obtained for tailings storage facilities and other high‑risk infrastructure.
• Identify permitting, land access, stakeholder engagement and compliance requirements that could affect project schedules or investment decisions.
• Support the integration of closure, rehabilitation and lifecycle considerations into feasibility assessments.

Stakeholder Management and Site Coordination

• Engage with client representatives, mine management, engineering teams, project sponsors and other stakeholders to establish project requirements.
• Conduct regular site visits to Marikana, Rustenburg and other relevant locations to assess existing infrastructure, site conditions and operational constraints.
• Coordinate site investigations, technical assessments, surveys, data collection and specialist studies required for feasibility development.
• Facilitate technical workshops, progress meetings, design reviews and project evaluation sessions.
• Communicate study findings, critical risks, cost implications and recommendations clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure timely resolution of technical queries and outstanding actions.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, consultants, contractors and external specialists.

Reporting and Management Decision Support

• Prepare and present feasibility study reports, executive summaries, technical recommendations and investment proposals.
• Consolidate engineering, financial, operational, environmental and risk information into clear, decision‑ready documentation.
• Provide management with recommendations regarding project viability, preferred technical options, cost implications and implementation strategies.
• Highlight key assumptions, uncertainties, constraints and potential changes that could materially affect project outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of study deliverables, technical decisions, approvals, cost estimates and supporting documentation.
• Ensure completed studies provide a sound basis for capital approval, detailed engineering and subsequent project execution.

Closing Date

Submissions for this vacancy will close on 23 October 2026. Late applications may still be considered until 14 November 2026.

PoPI Act Compliance

Marvel Placement Consultants adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013). Section 9 of PoPI states that “Personal Information may only be processed if, given the purpose for which it is processed, it is adequate, relevant and not excessive.”