Mine Ventilation Engineer - Critical Systems Design

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Medical aid

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Mine Ventilation Engineer for a pivotal role in Upington, Northern Cape. You will design, implement, and optimize underground ventilation systems to ensure safe and productive operations.

The ideal candidate has a minimum of 6 years of experience in mine ventilation, a strong foundation in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, and proficiency with Ventsim or Minescape. Registration with ECSA is desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of underground mine ventilation experience.
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and psychrometrics.
• Experience with mine ventilation modeling software and air-monitoring instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage mine ventilation systems meeting health and safety standards.
• Conduct ventilation surveys: air velocity, temperature, humidity, and gas concentrations.
• Develop ventilation network models using Ventsim or Minescape.
• Specify fans, ducting and related equipment.
• Analyze heat load and cooling needs in underground mines.
• Collaborate with planning, geotechnical, and production teams to optimize ventilation.
• Prepare technical reports and drawings for Upington ventilation projects.

Skills

Mine ventilation

Thermodynamics

Fluid dynamics

Psychrometrics

Ventilation modeling

Gas monitoring

Communication & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Ventsim

Minescape

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leader in underground mining operations, is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Mine Ventilation Engineer to join their esteemed team in Upington, Northern Cape . This critical role focuses on the design, implementation, and optimization of mine ventilation systems to ensure a safe and productive working environment. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of mine ventilation principles, airflow dynamics, heat transfer, and contaminant control. You will be responsible for conducting ventilation surveys, modeling airflow, designing ventilation networks, and specifying ventilation equipment such as fans and regulators. Your expertise will be essential in maintaining optimal atmospheric conditions in underground mines, addressing challenges related to heat, dust, and gases. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to operational safety and efficiency in a challenging mining environment. Your contributions will directly impact the well-being of the workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage mine ventilation systems to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
• Conduct regular ventilation surveys, including air velocity, temperature, humidity, and gas concentration measurements.
• Develop and maintain ventilation network models using specialized software (e.g., Ventsim, Minescape).
• Specify and select ventilation fans, ducting, and other associated equipment.
• Analyze heat load and cooling requirements in underground mining environments.
• Develop strategies for dust control and gas abatement.
• Collaborate with mine planning, geotechnical, and production teams to optimize ventilation in conjunction with mining activities.
• Troubleshoot ventilation-related issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Prepare technical reports, drawings, and specifications related to mine ventilation in Upington .

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in mine ventilation engineering, preferably within underground mining.
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and psychrometrics as applied to mine ventilation.
• Proficiency in mine ventilation modeling software.
• Experience with instrumentation for air monitoring and analysis.
• Understanding of mine cooling systems and heat stress management is advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and report-writing abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer or Pr. Eng. is desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications, along with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits include medical aid, a retirement fund, and opportunities for professional development.
• This role provides a unique opportunity to work on critical safety systems in the mining sector in Upington .
• Relocation assistance may be provided.