Principal Mine Planning Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Life insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Principal Mine Planning Engineer to join our client in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA. You will shape long-term mine plans, optimize strategies, and lead a team in a dynamic mining environment.

The role requires extensive expertise in open-pit and underground mining, with a focus on strategic planning, economic assessment, and deployment of Deswik, MinePlan, and Vulcan software. Hybrid work model supported.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years in mine planning/design with mining industry focus.
• Proven expertise in long-term strategic mine planning and economic evaluation.
• Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize long-term mine plans (5–20 years) for open-pit and underground operations.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivity analyses.
• Lead cross-functional teams and ensure integration of geological data and constraints into planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Analytical thinking

Communication

Hybrid work adaptation

Education

Master's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

MinePlan

Vulcan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the Mining sector, is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Principal Mine Planning Engineer to join their team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA . This senior role is pivotal in shaping the future mining plans for their extensive operations. You will be responsible for developing and optimizing long-term mine plans, ensuring the efficient and safe extraction of resources while maximizing economic value. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in mine design, strategic planning, and a strong understanding of various mining methods and their applications. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence high-level decision-making and contribute to the sustainable growth of the company's mineral assets, working within a dynamic and challenging environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain long-term mine plans (5-20 years) for both open-pit and underground operations.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivity analyses for new projects and existing operations.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, MinePlan, Vulcan) to design mine layouts, sequences, and production schedules.
• Collaborate closely with geological, engineering, and operational teams to integrate exploration data and operational constraints into planning.
• Perform strategic mine design reviews and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Assess and implement new mining technologies and methodologies to enhance planning efficiency and outcomes.
• Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers and provide technical leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in mine planning.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations for senior management and stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with mine plans and operations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in mine planning and design, with a significant portion dedicated to the Mining industry.
• Proven expertise in long-term strategic mine planning and economic evaluation.
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard mine planning software suites.
• Strong understanding of open-pit and underground mining methods, economics, and operational constraints.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work model, balancing strategic planning with operational input.
• Experience in resource modeling and estimation is a plus.
• Registered or eligible for registration with ECSA.

Benefits

Our client offers an exceptional remuneration package, including a highly competitive base salary, substantial performance bonuses, and comprehensive executive benefits. This includes top-tier medical aid, a generous retirement annuity, and life insurance coverage. We are committed to your professional growth, providing access to continuous learning, specialized training, and opportunities to attend international mining conferences. This role offers ample paid vacation and other unique employee perks. Relocation assistance is available for candidates relocating to Nelspruit. This is a permanent, full-time leadership position offering significant impact and career progression.