Mine Planning Engineer - Open Pit Operations

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement savings plan

Training opportunities

Paid time off

Site allowances

Job summary

Placements24 is sourcing a Mine Planning Engineer for a leading mining operation in Gauteng, South Africa. The role focuses on creating and maintaining schedules for open-pit mines, from daily targets to life-of-mine plans, using Deswik, Vulcan and Surpac.

You will interpret geological data for planning models and conduct economic evaluations to guide decisions. Advantageous are experience with budgeting, safety practices, and cross-department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or closely related field.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent collaboration across departments and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term mine plans (daily to life-of-mine).
• Utilize Deswik, Vulcan and Surpac to design pit layouts, haul roads and blast patterns.
• Integrate geological data into planning models and perform mining economics analysis.
• Optimize material movement, scheduling and equipment utilization.
• Monitor progress, ensure safety, environmental compliance and budgeting integrity.
• Collaborate with production, geology and survey teams and prepare management reports.
• Provide technical insights for project feasibility and expansions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Safety culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the mining industry, is looking for a skilled Mine Planning Engineer to join their operations in Tembisa, Gauteng . This role is critical for developing and implementing efficient, safe, and cost-effective mine plans for open-pit operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for short-term and long-term mine planning, optimizing resource utilization, and ensuring production targets are met. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our client's mining activities and contribute to their ongoing success in a challenging and rewarding environment. You will play a key role in strategic operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term (daily, weekly) and long-term (annual, life-of-mine) mine plans.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) to create optimal pit designs, haul roads, and blast patterns.
• Conduct geological data interpretation and integrate it into mine planning models.
• Perform mine economics analysis and feasibility studies for new projects or expansions.
• Optimize material movement, scheduling, and equipment utilization.
• Monitor mining progress against plans and make necessary adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations in all planning activities.
• Collaborate with production, geology, and survey departments to ensure seamless operations.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management review.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in mine planning, preferably in open-pit mining environments.
• Proficiency in industry-standard mine planning and design software.
• Solid understanding of mining methods, geomechanics, and operational constraints.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Experience with mine budgeting and economic evaluation is highly desirable.
• Adaptability to evolving project requirements and site conditions.
• Commitment to safety and environmental best practices.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with performance incentives. A comprehensive benefits scheme includes medical aid, life insurance, and a retirement savings plan. Opportunities for advanced training and professional development in mine engineering are readily available. Employees enjoy a conducive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our client is committed to employee growth and offers pathways for career advancement within the organization. Paid time off and potential for site-based allowances are also included.