Senior Mine Economist

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration incentives

Remote work flexibility

Influence on investment decisions

Professional development

Advanced analytic tools

Flexible hours

Dynamic virtual environment

Job summary

Placements24, on behalf of a leading international mining company, seeks a Senior Mine Economist to evaluate mining projects from exploration to life-of-mine optimization. This remote role requires strong financial modelling, DCF analysis, and risk assessment skills to guide investment decisions.

The position offers global collaboration with teams across time zones, with occasional travel to project sites, and the opportunity to influence a diverse asset portfolio from a remote work setup.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Mining Engineering, or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of experience in economic analysis, preferably in mining or natural resources.
• Proven expertise in financial modelling, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, and project valuation techniques.
• Strong understanding of mining operations, processes, and key economic drivers.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet software (Excel) and financial modelling tools; experience with mine-specific software is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills for remote stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive economic evaluations and financial modelling for mining projects at various stages.
• Develop and refine life-of-mine plans and production schedules from an economic perspective.
• Perform sensitivity analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessments for mining investments.
• Evaluate the economic impact of technical, operational, and market changes on project viability.
• Prepare detailed economic reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior management and investment committees.
• Collaborate with geologists, engineers, and metallurgists to integrate technical data into economic models.
• Stay current with commodity market trends, economic policies, and best practices in mine valuation.
• Provide economic input for feasibility studies, pre-feasibility studies, and strategic planning; mentor junior members remotely.

Skills

Financial modelling

DCF analysis

Project valuation

Analytical thinking

Remote stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Mining Engineering, or related quantitative field

Tools

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading international mining company, is actively searching for a highly analytical and strategic Senior Mine Economist to join their globally distributed team. This is a pivotal role responsible for the economic evaluation of mining projects, from early-stage exploration through to life-of-mine optimization. You will provide crucial financial insights, develop economic models, and assess the viability of various mining scenarios. This position is fully remote, allowing you to work from your preferred location while collaborating closely with project teams, geologists, engineers, and management across different time zones. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of mining finance, project valuation techniques, and risk analysis. Your expertise will be instrumental in guiding investment decisions and maximizing the economic return of our client's diverse asset portfolio. While the role is remote, there may be occasional travel to project sites or corporate offices. This position will support projects that may be conceptually or operationally linked to the Stellenbosch, Western Cape region or broader South African operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive economic evaluations and financial modelling for mining projects at various stages.
• Develop and refine life-of-mine (LOM) plans and production schedules from an economic perspective.
• Perform sensitivity analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessments for mining investments.
• Evaluate the economic impact of technical, operational, and market changes on project viability.
• Prepare detailed economic reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior management and investment committees.
• Collaborate with geologists, engineers, and metallurgists to integrate technical data into economic models.
• Stay current with commodity market trends, economic policies, and best practices in mine valuation.
• Provide economic input for feasibility studies, pre-feasibility studies, and strategic planning.Mentor junior members of the economic evaluation team in a remote setting.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Economics, Finance, Mining Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in economic analysis, preferably within the mining or natural resources sector.
• Proven expertise in financial modelling, discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, and project valuation techniques.
• Strong understanding of mining operations, processes, and key economic drivers.
• Proficiency in spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) and financial modelling tools. Experience with specialized mine economic software is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, effective for remote stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote environment.
• Familiarity with international reporting standards and practices.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remuneration package, including performance-based incentives.
• Full remote work flexibility, allowing for global talent acquisition.
• Significant opportunity to influence major mining investment decisions.
• Continuous professional development and exposure to diverse mining projects.
• Access to advanced analytical tools and data resources.
• Flexible working hours to support a global remote team.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating virtual work environment.