Mine Planning Engineer - Coal Operations

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation support

Medical benefits

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Mine Planning Engineer to join a growing coal mining operation in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will develop short- and long-term mine plans, open-pit designs, haul routes, and schedules using Deswik, Vulcan and Whittle to produce detailed 3D models and drilling plans.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's in Mining Engineering with 6+ years in coal mine planning and strong analytical and communication skills to collaborate across teams and optimize extraction safely and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years' experience in mine planning, with coal mining experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-term and long-term mine plans, including pit designs and schedules.
• Perform geological and geotechnical analysis to inform design.
• Utilize Deswik, Vulcan, Whittle for 3D models and drill/blast plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new areas.
• Collaborate with operations, geology and survey teams.
• Monitor performance and optimize plans to reduce costs in Richards Bay.

Skills

Mine planning

Coal mining

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Whittle

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled and innovative Mine Planning Engineer to join their expanding coal mining operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is integral to optimizing mine design, scheduling, and production efficiency for their open-pit and potentially underground coal reserves. You will utilize sophisticated modeling software to develop short-term and long-term mine plans, ensuring safe, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible extraction of resources. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a major player in the coal mining sector and work within a collaborative environment focused on technological advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term mine plans, including pit designs, haul road layouts, and production schedules.
• Perform geological and geotechnical analysis to inform mine design and optimize resource extraction.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Xact) to create detailed 3D models and generate drill and blast plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mining areas and operational improvements.
• Collaborate with operations, geology, and survey teams to ensure accurate implementation of mine plans.
• Monitor production performance against plans and recommend adjustments to optimize outcomes and minimize costs in Richards Bay .

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mining Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in mine planning, with specific experience in coal mining .
• Proficiency in leading mine planning software packages (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Whittle).
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, drilling, blasting, and material handling.
• Knowledge of geological modeling and geotechnical principles relevant to coal seams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance bonuses.
• Relocation assistance and housing support.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and conference attendance.
• A dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and sustainable mining practices.