Mine Planning Engineer - Open Pit Specialist

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Mine Planning Engineer for open-pit operations in Klerksdorp, North West. You will lead short- and medium-term plans, design pits, evaluate scenarios, and collaborate with geologists and surveyors.

The role requires 7+ years in open-pit planning, proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan and MineSight, and strong analytical and communication skills to drive safe and efficient mining activities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in mine planning, with a focus on open-pit mining.
• Proficiency in Deswik, Vulcan, MineSight or similar.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of South African mining legislation and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop short-term (daily, weekly) and medium-term (monthly, quarterly) mine production plans for open-pit operations.
• Generate mine designs, including pit phasing, haul road networks, and waste dump layouts, using mine planning software.
• Conduct economic evaluations of different mine development scenarios and optimization studies.
• Collaborate with geologists to interpret resource models and incorporate geological uncertainty into plans.
• Work with surveyors to ensure accurate mine geometry and volume calculations.
• Plan and schedule drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling activities to meet production targets.
• Monitor plan adherence and analyze deviations, recommending corrective actions to optimize performance.
• Ensure mine plans comply with safety regulations, environmental constraints, and operational requirements.
• Prepare reports on mine planning activities, production forecasts, and KPIs.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in mine planning processes and efficiency.

Skills

Mine planning

Open-pit mining

Analytical thinking

Decision making

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

MineSight

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prominent player in the Mining sector, is seeking a highly skilled Mine Planning Engineer with specialized expertise in open-pit operations. This role is based in Klerksdorp, North West , a significant mining region. The successful candidate will be responsible for the strategic short-term and medium-term planning of open-pit mines, focusing on optimizing resource extraction, maximizing economic value, and ensuring safe operational execution. You will work closely with geological, survey, and production teams to develop detailed mine plans, schedules, and designs. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to contribute to efficient and sustainable mining practices in a well-established operational environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a comprehensive understanding of mine planning software, and a proven ability to translate geological data into practical mining plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute short-term (daily, weekly) and medium-term (monthly, quarterly) mine production plans for open-pit operations.
• Generate mine designs, including pit phasing, haul road networks, and waste dump layouts, using mine planning software.
• Conduct economic evaluations of different mine development scenarios and optimization studies.
• Collaborate with geologists to interpret resource models and incorporate geological uncertainty into plans.
• Work with surveyors to ensure accurate mine geometry and volume calculations.
• Plan and schedule drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling activities to meet production targets.
• Monitor plan adherence and analyze deviations, recommending corrective actions to optimize performance.
• Ensure mine plans comply with safety regulations, environmental constraints, and operational requirements.
• Prepare reports on mine planning activities, production forecasts, and key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in mine planning processes and efficiency.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a significant focus on open-pit mining.
• Proficiency in industry-standard mine planning software such as Deswik, Vulcan, MineSight, or similar.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment capabilities, and operational constraints.
• Experience with geological modeling and resource estimation concepts.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of relevant South African mining legislation and best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy in planning and reporting.

Benefits

• A competitive salary package, reflecting your experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training in mine planning technologies.
• Relocation assistance provided for candidates relocating to Klerksdorp .
• Performance incentives and annual bonus opportunities.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Exposure to large-scale mining operations and challenging projects.
• A collaborative and safety-conscious work environment.
• Potential for career advancement within a leading mining organization.
• Access to the latest mine planning software and technologies.