Mine Ventilation Engineer - Underground Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Medical aid and retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Mine Ventilation Engineer to lead design, optimization, and management of underground ventilation systems in Upington, Northern Cape. The role focuses on fan selection, ducting, CFD-based analysis, and gas/dust control to ensure safe, compliant operations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Mining/Mechanical Engineering with ventilation specialization, 6+ years of underground ventilation experience, and proficiency in Ventsim and CFD tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining or Mechanical Engineering with ventilation specialization.
• Minimum of 6 years' experience in mine ventilation engineering for underground operations.
• Proficiency in ventilation modeling software (Ventsim, Ventsim-PLUS, VUMA).
• Experience with CFD software for ventilation analysis is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, psychrometrics, and air quality management.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and manage underground mine ventilation systems, including fan selection, ducting, and auxiliary ventilation.
• Conduct airflow measurements and surveys to assess ventilation network performance.
• Model and predict ventilation parameters, including air temperature, humidity, and contaminant levels.
• Utilize CFD software to simulate airflow and contaminant dispersion within the mine environment.
• Develop and implement strategies for dust and gas control to maintain a healthy working atmosphere.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements related to mine ventilation and environmental control.
• Collaborate with mine planning, geologists, and safety personnel to integrate ventilation requirements into mine design.
• Prepare detailed ventilation reports, plans, and technical recommendations.
• Oversee the maintenance and operation of ventilation equipment, including fans and monitoring systems.
• Investigate ventilation-related incidents and propose corrective actions.

Skills

Ventilation engineering

CFD modeling

Ventsim/Ventsim-PLUS

Mine ventilation design

Gas and dust control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering with ventilation specialization

Professional registration (PR Eng) advantageous

Tools

Ventsim

Ventsim-PLUS

VUMA

CFD software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major underground mining operator, is seeking a highly competent Mine Ventilation Engineer to join their technical team. This role, based in Upington, Northern Cape , is critical for ensuring the health, safety, and productivity of personnel working underground by maintaining optimal ventilation systems. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing ventilation networks, evaluating airflow, controlling dust and gases, and ensuring thermal comfort within the mine. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of mine ventilation principles, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and relevant software. This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to safe and efficient underground mining operations in a challenging and rewarding environment. We are looking for a proactive engineer with a commitment to excellence in mine safety and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and manage underground mine ventilation systems, including fan selection, ducting, and auxiliary ventilation.
• Conduct airflow measurements and surveys to assess ventilation network performance.
• Model and predict ventilation parameters, including air temperature, humidity, and contaminant levels.
• Utilize CFD software to simulate airflow and contaminant dispersion within the mine environment.
• Develop and implement strategies for dust and gas control to maintain a healthy working atmosphere.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements related to mine ventilation and environmental control.
• Collaborate with mine planning, geologists, and safety personnel to integrate ventilation requirements into mine design.
• Prepare detailed ventilation reports, plans, and technical recommendations.
• Oversee the maintenance and operation of ventilation equipment, including fans and monitoring systems.
• Investigate ventilation-related incidents and propose corrective actions.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline with a specialization in ventilation.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in mine ventilation engineering, with a focus on underground mining operations.
• Proficiency in mine ventilation modeling software (e.g., Ventsim, Ventsim-PLUS, VUMA).
• Experience with CFD software for ventilation analysis is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, psychrometrics, and air quality management.
• Knowledge of dust suppression techniques and gas monitoring systems.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical reporting skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse teams.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) or similar professional registration is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Chance to work on crucial ventilation systems for underground mines in the Upington, Northern Cape area.
• A supportive and safety-focused work environment.