Mine Planning Engineer - Long-Term Strategy

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based bonuses

Career growth

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Mine Planning Engineer in Vereeniging to develop long-term mine plans and optimize layouts for safe, economic extraction. You will work with Deswik, Vulcan, and MinePlan while coordinating with operations, geology, and finance teams.

The role requires a mining engineering degree, 7+ years of planning experience, and strong leadership abilities. A hybrid work model supports on-site planning and off-site analysis, with growth opportunities and a clear career path.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning with focus on long-term strategic planning in underground or open-pit mining.
• Proficiency in industry-standard mine planning and design software (Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan).
• Strong understanding of mining methods, geological modeling, and geotechnical principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience or potential.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Registered or eligible for registration with a professional engineering body (ECSA).

Responsibilities

• Develop and update long-term (5+ year) mine plans, including production schedules, stope designs, and pillar layouts.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mining projects and expansions.
• Optimize mine designs to maximize resource recovery, minimize costs, and ensure safety and efficiency.
• Generate detailed mine plans, reports, and visualizations using Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan.
• Collaborate with geological teams to integrate resource models into mine plans and manage geological risk.
• Liaise with operations and engineering teams to ensure practical implementation of mine plans.
• Evaluate and recommend new mining technologies and methodologies to improve planning and operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards for mine planning and design.
• Contribute to mine closure planning and rehabilitation strategies.
• Mentor and guide junior planning engineers and technical staff.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Team collaboration

Independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

MinePlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent mining group with significant operations in the Vereeniging, Gauteng area, is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Mine Planning Engineer to join their team. This role is responsible for developing and executing long-term mine plans that ensure the efficient, safe, and economically viable extraction of resources. You will utilize advanced mine planning software and geological data to create strategic schedules, optimize mine layout, and manage resource utilization over the mine's life cycle. This position requires a deep understanding of mining methods, geological principles, and economic factors. The ideal candidate will be a highly analytical individual with strong leadership capabilities, capable of collaborating effectively with various departments, including operations, geology, and finance. Contributing to the sustainable growth of mining in the Gauteng province, this role offers a challenging yet rewarding career path. The hybrid work model allows for effective collaboration between on-site planning and off-site analytical work.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and update long-term (5+ year) mine plans, including production schedules, stope designs, and pillar layouts.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mining projects and expansions.
• Optimize mine designs to maximize resource recovery, minimize costs, and ensure operational safety and efficiency.
• Generate detailed mine plans, reports, and visualizations using mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan).
• Collaborate closely with geological teams to integrate resource models into mine plans and manage geological risk.
• Liaise with operations and engineering teams to ensure practical implementation of mine plans and provide ongoing support.
• Evaluate and recommend new mining technologies and methodologies to enhance planning and operations.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and company standards for mine planning and design.
• Contribute to mine closure planning and rehabilitation strategies.
• Mentor and guide junior planning engineers and technical staff.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a significant focus on long-term strategic planning in underground or open-pit mining environments.
• Proven proficiency in industry-standard mine planning and design software.
• Strong understanding of various mining methods, geological modeling, and geotechnical principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated leadership experience or potential.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Registered or eligible for registration with a professional engineering body (e.g., ECSA).

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and a provident fund, performance-based bonuses, and excellent opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of mining operations in the Vereeniging region and beyond.
• The hybrid work arrangement supports work-life balance while ensuring impactful contributions.