Mine Planning Manager - Underground Operations

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top-tier medical aid

Pension fund

Generous leave entitlements

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a senior Mine Planning Manager for underground operations in the Soweto, Gauteng area. You will lead planning, designs, and scheduling to support safe, cost-efficient production.

In this role, you will manage a team of planners and surveyors, oversee Deswik/Surpac/Vulcan/ Leapfrog workflows, and align plans with corporate targets. A strong leadership background and 10+ years in underground planning are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from a recognized institution.
• Master's degree is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage short-term (daily/weekly) and long-term (1-5 year) mine plans for underground operations.
• Oversee the creation of detailed mine designs, including access development, stope layouts, and production scheduling.
• Ensure all mine plans comply with safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies.
• Manage and optimize the use of mine planning software and related databases.
• Collaborate with geological, geotechnical, and operations teams to integrate inputs into planning.
• Lead and mentor the mine planning and surveying teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Conduct economic evaluations and feasibility studies for new mining areas or expansions.
• Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions for variances.
• Prepare regular reports for senior management.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making regarding resource utilization and mine development.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelors in Mining Engineering

Masters degree (advantage)

Tools

Deswik

Surpac

Vulcan

Leapfrog

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent mining group with significant operations in the Gauteng region, is seeking an accomplished and strategic Mine Planning Manager to lead their planning department for underground operations in the Soweto, Gauteng vicinity. This senior leadership role is responsible for developing and implementing robust short-term and long-term mine plans that ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective extraction of mineral resources. The Mine Planning Manager will oversee a team of mine planners and surveyors, manage the mine planning software systems, and ensure alignment with the company's strategic objectives and production targets. This position requires extensive experience in underground mine planning, advanced geological and mining software proficiency, and exceptional leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage short-term (daily/weekly) and long-term (1-5 year) mine plans for underground operations.
• Oversee the creation of detailed mine designs, including access development, stope layouts, and production scheduling.
• Ensure that all mine plans comply with safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies.
• Manage and optimize the use of mine planning software and related databases.
• Collaborate closely with geological, geotechnical, and operations teams to integrate technical inputs into planning.
• Lead and mentor the mine planning and surveying teams, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Conduct economic evaluations and feasibility studies for new mining areas or potential expansions.
• Monitor production performance against plans and implement corrective actions to address variances.
• Prepare regular reports on mine planning activities, progress, and forecasts for senior management.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making regarding resource utilization and mine development.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering from a recognized institution.
• A Master's degree is an advantage.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in underground mine planning, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated expertise in various underground mining methods and mine design principles.
• Advanced proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Surpac, Vulcan, Leapfrog) and scheduling tools.
• Strong understanding of mine geology, resource estimation, and geotechnical principles.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
• Must be willing to reside in or commute to the Soweto, Gauteng area.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng) is highly desirable.
• Experience in the gold or platinum mining sectors is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary, coupled with a significant performance-based bonus structure and potential for long-term incentives.

• top-tier medical aid
• an excellent pension fund
• generous leave entitlements
• Opportunities for professional development, further training, and advancement within the group are extensive.
• Relocation assistance will be provided to successful candidates relocating to the Soweto area.

The company champions a culture of safety and innovation.