Remote Principal Mining Engineer - Mine Planning

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Remote work

Flexible working hours

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Mining Engineer to lead long-term mine planning and design from a remote setting. You will develop strategic plans, optimize mine layouts, and guide capital projects across open-pit and underground operations with international teams.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s in Mining Engineering and 12+ years in mine planning; a Master’s is highly desirable. Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills are essential for remote collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Mining Engineering or closely related field.
• Master's degree is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain long-term mine plans and production schedules.
• Utilize Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac to design open-pit/underground layouts.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivities.
• Oversee geotechnical and geomechanical assessments for safety and stability.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and environmental specialists.
• Mentor junior and mid-level mining engineers.
• Stay updated on emerging mining technologies and best practices.
• Ensure plans comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare technical reports and capital expenditure justifications.
• Act as technical advisor to projects and liaise with stakeholders remotely.

Skills

Strategic mine planning

Mentoring

Remote collaboration

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Mining Engineering

Master's degree desirable

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

Datamine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in mining, is looking for an exceptional Principal Mining Engineer to join their fully remote team. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of our mining operations through expert mine planning and design. You will be responsible for developing long-term strategic plans, optimizing mine layouts, and ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective extraction of resources across various commodities. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your extensive expertise in a remote-first environment, collaborating with international teams and contributing to significant capital projects. We are seeking a visionary engineer who can drive innovation, apply advanced modeling techniques, and mentor other engineers, all while working from the comfort of your home office.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain comprehensive long-term mine plans, including production schedules, equipment requirements, and infrastructure design.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) to create optimized designs for open-pit and/or underground operations.
• Conduct feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and sensitivity analyses for new projects and existing operations.
• Oversee the development of geotechnical and geomechanical assessments to ensure mine stability and safety.
• Collaborate with geologists, metallurgists, and environmental specialists to integrate all aspects of mine development.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level mining engineers.
• Stay abreast of emerging mining technologies and best practices, recommending and implementing innovations.
• Ensure all mine plans comply with relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory standards globally.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and justifications for capital expenditure proposals.
• Act as a key technical advisor on mining projects, liaising with internal stakeholders and external consultants remotely.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• A Master's degree is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in mine planning and design, with a significant portion in a principal or senior capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in both open-pit and underground mining methods, depending on company needs.
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, Datamine).
• Strong understanding of mine economics, financial modeling, and project evaluation.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, particularly for remote collaboration.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams effectively in a distributed environment.
• Must be comfortable and proficient working in a fully remote setting, demonstrating self-discipline and strong time management.
• Relevant professional certifications and a commitment to continuous professional development.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a generous retirement savings plan.
• Our client provides opportunities for global project involvement, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• You will benefit from flexible working hours and the autonomy to manage your workload effectively.
• Performance-based incentives and recognition programs are in place.

Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and employee well-being in a remote work setting.