Geotechnical Engineer - Mine Stability and Design

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Site allowances

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Safety culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to join a specialist team in Kimberley, focusing on mining geotechnical challenges. The role covers stability assessments, ground support design, and risk management in both underground and open-pit mines.

The candidate should have 7+ years in mining geotechnical engineering, with PrEng registration and strong knowledge of rock mechanics and numerical modeling. This is a demanding field role in the Northern Cape mining sector.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in geotechnical engineering with a mining focus.
• Professional Engineer (PrEng) registration with ECSA is required.
• Strong understanding of rock mechanics, numerical modeling, and slope stability software.
• Experience with geotechnical investigations and instrumentation in a mining context.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed geotechnical assessments of mine sites, including geological mapping and rock mass characterization.
• Perform stability analyses for open-pit slopes, underground excavations, and tailings dams.
• Design appropriate ground support systems, including rock bolts, mesh, and shotcrete.
• Install and monitor geotechnical instrumentation to assess ground conditions and performance.
• Develop and implement geotechnical risk management plans for mining operations.
• Provide expert advice and technical support to mine operations and project teams.

Skills

Rock mechanics

Slope stability analysis

Geotechnical instrumentation

Ground support design

Numerical modeling

Education

Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering

Tools

FLAC

UDEC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Engineer to join their specialized team in Kimberley , focusing on mining-related geotechnical challenges. This critical role involves assessing the stability of mine excavations, designing ground support systems, and managing risks associated with mining operations. You will work closely with mine planning engineers, geologists, and safety professionals to ensure the operational integrity and safety of underground and open-pit mines. The ideal candidate possesses in-depth knowledge of rock mechanics, slope stability analysis, and geotechnical instrumentation, combined with a practical understanding of mining environments. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety and efficiency of the mining sector in the Northern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed geotechnical assessments of mine sites, including geological mapping and rock mass characterization.
• Perform stability analyses for open-pit slopes, underground excavations, and tailings dams.
• Design appropriate ground support systems, including rock bolts, mesh, and shotcrete.
• Install and monitor geotechnical instrumentation to assess ground conditions and performance.
• Develop and implement geotechnical risk management plans for mining operations.
• Provide expert advice and technical support to mine operations and project teams.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, with a significant focus on mining applications.
• Professional Engineer (PrEng) registration with ECSA is required.
• Strong understanding of rock mechanics, numerical modeling (e.g., FLAC, UDEC), and slope stability software.
• Experience with geotechnical investigations and instrumentation in a mining context.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in challenging field conditions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, including site allowances and performance bonuses.
• Opportunity to work on significant mining projects in the Northern Cape region.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Support for professional development, including relevant industry courses and conferences.
• A robust safety culture and a team committed to technical excellence.