Remote Data Scientist - Mining Analytics

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a senior Remote Data Scientist to leverage large mining datasets and build models that optimize production, safety, and efficiency. You will collaborate with geologists, engineers, and operations managers while delivering data-driven insights from a fully remote workspace.

The role requires 6+ years of applied analytics experience, strong Python or R skills, and expertise in ML libraries and visualization tools.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist with applied analytics focus.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and relational databases; NoSQL a plus.
• Expertise in data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy ML models and statistical analyses for mining operational data.
• Build predictive models for equipment failure, production optimization, resource forecasting, and safety risk assessment.
• Design and implement data pipelines for large datasets.
• Collaborate with domain experts to identify data-driven solutions.
• Visualize and communicate complex analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements through data analysis and experiments.
• Stay updated on data science and big data technologies.
• Contribute to data governance and best practices.
• Design and execute A/B tests and experiments.
• Develop dashboards and reports to monitor KPIs and trends.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine learning

Data visualization

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Big data tooling

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science/related field

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

scikit-learn

Spark

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a progressive leader in the global mining industry, is seeking a talented and experienced Remote Data Scientist to join their innovative analytics division. This is a fully remote position, ideal for an individual passionate about leveraging data to drive operational efficiency, improve safety, and unlock new insights within complex mining environments. You will work with vast datasets from various mining operations, developing sophisticated models and algorithms to solve critical business challenges. This role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the future of mining through data-driven decision-making, all from the comfort and flexibility of your remote workspace.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy machine learning models and statistical analyses to extract valuable insights from mining operational data.
• Build predictive models for equipment failure, production optimization, resource forecasting, and safety risk assessment.
• Design and implement data pipelines for collecting, cleaning, and transforming large datasets.
• Collaborate closely with domain experts, geologists, engineers, and operations managers to understand their challenges and identify data-driven solutions.
• Visualize and communicate complex analytical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements through data analysis and experimentation.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and big data technologies.
• Contribute to the development of data governance and best practices within the organization.
• Design and execute A/B tests and other experiments to validate hypotheses.
• Develop dashboards and reports to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational trends.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on applied analytics and machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with SQL and working with relational databases; familiarity with NoSQL databases is a plus.
• Expertise in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib, Seaborn).
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects remotely, demonstrating strong self-discipline and organizational skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in the mining or heavy industry sector is highly advantageous.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data technologies (e.g., Spark) is a plus.

Benefits

This remote position offers an exceptionally competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including private health insurance, a retirement savings plan, and professional development opportunities. Our client values a results-oriented culture and provides employees with the autonomy and resources needed to excel. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of analytics in the mining sector from anywhere, working with cutting-edge technologies and impactful datasets. The role supports a flexible work-life balance while ensuring significant career growth and contribution.