Principal Mining Engineer - Open Pit

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement plan

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mining Engineer (Open Pit) in Paarl, Western Cape. You will lead strategic planning, design, and optimization of open-pit mining, driving safety, efficiency and profitability through advanced engineering principles and innovative technology.

Responsibilities include overseeing long- and short-term plans, feasibility studies, budget, and CAPEX while mentoring engineers and ensuring regulatory compliance. A Pr.Eng is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Our client seeks a senior mining engineer with open-pit experience and leadership capability.
• Strong background in mine planning, geotechnical methods, and safety compliance.
• Experience with Deswik/Vulcan or similar planning tools is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead long- and short-term open-pit mine planning and scheduling.
• Drive design optimization to maximize resource value and productivity.
• Oversee feasibility studies, budget, and CAPEX planning.
• Provide technical guidance and mentor junior engineers.
• Ensure compliance with mining regulations and safety standards.

Skills

Mine planning

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Geotechnical

Blast design

Education

BSc/BEng in Mining Engineering

Pr. Eng (ECSA)

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Mine2-4D

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading entity in the mining industry , is seeking a highly experienced Principal Mining Engineer specializing in Open Pit operations to join their team in Paarl, Western Cape . This senior role involves leading the strategic planning, design, and optimization of open-pit mining activities. You will be instrumental in ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and profitability by applying advanced mining engineering principles and innovative technologies. The Principal Mining Engineer will oversee mine planning processes, resource utilization, and capital expenditure projects, working closely with multidisciplinary teams including geology, survey, and operations. This is a key leadership position requiring a visionary approach to open-pit mining challenges and opportunities within the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of long-term and short-term open-pit mine plans.
• Optimize mine designs, scheduling, and production targets to maximize resource extraction and economic value.
• Conduct feasibility studies and technical reviews for new open-pit projects and expansions.
• Oversee the selection and implementation of mining equipment and technologies.
• Manage geotechnical considerations, slope stability analysis, and mine safety protocols.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and intermediate mining engineers.
• Collaborate with geological and survey teams to ensure accurate resource modeling and mine reconciliation.
• Develop and manage the mining engineering budget and capital expenditure forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant mining regulations and environmental standards.

Requirements

• BSc/BEng in Mining Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in open-pit mining engineering, with a significant portion in a senior or principal role.
• Demonstrated expertise in mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Mine2-4D) and optimization techniques.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and managing large-scale open-pit mines.
• Strong understanding of geotechnical engineering, blast design, and mine productivity metrics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Experience in the Western Cape mining landscape is an advantage.
• Ability to conduct site visits and fieldwork as required.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary,
• a substantial performance bonus structure,
• comprehensive medical aid,
• and a robust retirement plan.
• We provide significant opportunities for career advancement,
• professional development,
• and the chance to lead impactful projects in the picturesque region of Paarl, Western Cape .
• Relocation assistance is available for successful candidates.