Lead Mine Planner - Underground Operations

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonus

Medical aid

Relocation assistance

Growth opportunities

Advanced planning tools

Leave benefits

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Mine Planner for underground operations near Polokwane to guide short-, medium-, and long-term plans. You will lead a team of planners and engineers, integrating geology with production objectives to optimize ore recovery while upholding safety standards.

The role requires a Mining Engineering degree, 10+ years in underground planning, and proficiency in Deswik, MinePlan or Vulcan. SA regulatory familiarity and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Master's degree is highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive underground mine planning and design experience.
• Expertise in Deswik, MinePlan, or Vulcan is essential.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Familiarity with SA mining legislation and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage short-, medium-, and long-term underground mine plans near Polokwane.
• Integrate geological models, resource estimates, and operations data into designs.
• Lead and mentor mine planners, surveyors, and engineers.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivity analyses.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations in Limpopo.
• Optimize stope designs, development sequences, and production scheduling.
• Evaluate mining methods and equipment for underground operations.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and operations teams.
• Present mine plans and recommendations to senior management.
• Stay updated with advancements in mine planning software and technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Decision making

Team management

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline

Master's degree desirable

Tools

Deswik

MinePlan

Vulcan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant mining entity operating in the vicinity of **Polokwane**, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Mine Planner specializing in underground operations. This leadership position is crucial for the strategic development and optimization of mining plans, ensuring efficient resource extraction while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship. The successful candidate will oversee the generation of short, medium, and long-term mine plans, integrating geological data, operational constraints, and economic objectives. Based in **Polokwane**, you will lead a team of talented mine planners and engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. We are looking for an individual with extensive experience in underground mine planning software and a proven ability to manage complex planning cycles. This role offers a substantial impact on major mining projects within the **Limpopo** province and provides a clear pathway for career advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive short, medium, and long-term mine plans for underground operations near **Polokwane**.
• Integrate geological models, resource estimates, and operational data into optimized mine designs.
• Lead and mentor a team of mine planners, surveyors, and engineers.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivity analyses for mine planning scenarios.
• Ensure mine plans comply with all safety, health, and environmental regulations applicable in **Limpopo**.
• Optimize stope designs, development sequences, and production scheduling to maximize ore recovery and minimize dilution.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate mining methods and equipment for underground operations.
• Collaborate effectively with geologists, metallurgists, and operations personnel.
• Present mine plans and technical recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.
• Stay current with advancements in mine planning software and mining technologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• A Master's degree is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in underground mine planning and design.
• Expertise in mine planning software such as Deswik, MinePlan, or Vulcan is essential.
• Strong understanding of various underground mining methods (e.g., LHD, drill and blast, cut and fill).
• Proven experience in resource modeling and reserve estimation integration.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Familiarity with South African mining legislation and industry best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-related bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
• Relocation assistance for candidates relocating to the **Polokwane** area.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Involvement in challenging and strategically important mining projects in **Limpopo**.
• Access to advanced planning tools and technologies.
• A dynamic and supportive work culture.
• Generous annual leave and leave benefits.