Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Mining (Open-Pit/Tailings)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based incentives

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for a leading mining-focused engineering firm in Nelspruit. You will lead geotechnical investigations, data interpretation, and design for open-pit slope stability, underground support, and tailings dam projects.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Geotechnical/Mining Engineering, Pr.Eng. with ECSA, and 8+ years in mining geotechnics, with strong client liaison and travel to Mpumalanga sites.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering or Mining Engineering with a geotechnical focus.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA is required.
• A minimum of 8 years of specialized geotechnical experience in mining applications.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software such as Slide, Rocscience Phase2, Examine3D, GEO5, or similar.
• Strong understanding of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and hydrogeology in a mining context.
• Experience with site investigation techniques and laboratory testing interpretation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and report-writing capabilities.
• Strong project management and client liaison skills.
• Willingness to travel to remote mine sites as required.
• Experience within Nelspruit and Mpumalanga mining industry is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage geotechnical site investigations for mining projects, including drilling, CPT, and geophysical surveys.
• Interpret geological and geotechnical data to assess ground conditions and rock mass properties.
• Conduct detailed slope stability analyses for open-pit mines, considering various failure modes.
• Provide geotechnical input for underground mine design, including tunnel stability and support systems.
• Design and assess the stability of tailings storage facilities and waste rock dumps.
• Develop recommendations for ground improvement, dewatering, and seepage control.
• Prepare comprehensive geotechnical reports, including risk assessments and design recommendations.
• Liaise with mine operators, geologists, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Mentor and supervise junior geotechnical engineers and site investigation teams.
• Ensure compliance with relevant mining regulations, safety standards, and environmental guidelines.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Mining industry experience

Project management

Data interpretation

Report writing

Communication

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering or Mining Engineering

Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA

Tools

Slide

Rocscience (Phase2, Examine3D)

GEO5

Job description

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for a leading mining-focused engineering firm in Nelspruit. You will lead geotechnical investigations, data interpretation, and design for open-pit slope stability, underground support, and tailings dam projects.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Geotechnical/Mining Engineering, Pr.Eng. with ECSA, and 8+ years in mining geotechnics, with strong client liaison and travel to Mpumalanga sites.