Senior Geotechnical Engineer - Mining Operations

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Life insurance

Provident fund

Performance bonuses

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Geotechnical Engineer for a major mining operation in Rustenburg, North West. The role focuses on ensuring safety and stability for underground and open-pit activities, performing investigations, analyzing soil and rock mechanics, and proposing practical mitigation measures.

You will collaborate with mine planning, operations, and safety teams to address slope stability, ground support, and seismic monitoring while upholding rigorous safety standards in a remote

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's degree highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and laboratory testing interpretation.
• Analyze rock mass properties, slope stability, and underground excavation stability.
• Design and implement ground support systems for underground mine openings.
• Develop and monitor seismic hazard assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Perform numerical modeling of geotechnical behavior using specialized software.
• Provide geotechnical advice to mine planning and operations teams.
• Oversee geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical reports, specifications, and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with mining regulations and geotechnical best practices.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to team development.

Skills

Geotechnical analysis

Ground support design

Seismic monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical, Mining, or Civil Engineering

Master's degree (desirable)

Tools

FLAC

Rocscience

Maptek

Job description

About the Role

An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Geotechnical Engineer to join a major mining operation in Rustenburg, North West. This role is crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of underground and open-pit mining activities. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting detailed geotechnical investigations, analyzing soil and rock mechanics data, and developing practical engineering solutions to mitigate geological risks. You will work closely with mine planning, operations, and safety departments to provide expert advice on slope stability, ground support, and seismic monitoring. This position requires a strong understanding of mining geotechnics and a commitment to upholding the highest safety standards in a demanding operational environment. The Rustenburg location is a hub for platinum mining, offering significant professional challenges and opportunities for growth. Our client is committed to sustainable mining practices and the safety of its workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct geotechnical investigations, including site characterization and laboratory testing interpretation.
• Analyze rock mass properties, slope stability, and underground excavation stability.
• Design and implement ground support systems for underground mine openings.
• Develop and monitor seismic hazard assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Perform numerical modeling of geotechnical behavior using specialized software.
• Provide geotechnical advice and recommendations to mine planning and operations teams.
• Oversee geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs.
• Prepare detailed geotechnical reports, specifications, and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with relevant mining regulations and geotechnical best practices.
• Mentor junior geotechnical engineers and contribute to team development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A Master's degree is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, specifically within the mining industry.
• Proven experience with underground mining and open-pit slope stability analysis.
• Proficiency in geotechnical software (e.g., FLAC, Rocscience suite, Maptek).
• Strong knowledge of rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and hydrogeology.
• Experience with seismic monitoring and hazard assessment techniques.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging, remote mining environment in Rustenburg.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Professional registration with ECSA or equivalent is an advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive salary package, including a competitive base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits such as medical aid, life insurance, and a provident fund. Opportunities for advanced training, professional development, and career progression within a leading mining group are provided. The position is based in Rustenburg, offering exposure to large-scale mining operations in the Oil & Gas adjacent mining sector. We value safety, sustainability, and employee growth.