Senior Mine Planner

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Competitive salary and bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planner for our mining client operating in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The role supports short-, medium-, and long-term mine planning, requiring strong analytical skills and experience with major planning software.

A hybrid work model is offered to balance fieldwork and office collaboration. The candidate will interface with geologists, engineers, and operations to translate resource models into viable production plans, ensuring safety, regulatory

Qualifications

• BSc/BEng in Mining Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in mine planning.
• Proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan, or similar software.
• Experience with open-pit and/or underground mining methods.
• Strong analytical, spatial reasoning, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed short, medium, and long-term mine plans and schedules.
• Optimize mine designs and production sequences to maximize resource utilization and value.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for planning scenarios.
• Generate mineable shapes and select appropriate mining methods.
• Collaborate with geological teams to interpret resource models.
• Ensure plans are practical and executable with operations.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Spatial reasoning

Problem-solving

Communication & collaboration

Education

BSc/BEng in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

MinePlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic mining company with significant operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , is seeking an experienced Senior Mine Planner . This hybrid role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to contribute their expertise in mine design and planning while enjoying a flexible work arrangement. You will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and managing short, medium, and long-term mine plans, ensuring the efficient and safe extraction of resources. This position requires a strong analytical mindset, proficiency in mine planning software, and a thorough understanding of mining methods and geological constraints. You will work closely with geologists, surveyors, engineers, and operations teams to translate resource models into viable production plans. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in strategic mine planning, with a focus on maximizing resource recovery and operational efficiency within both open-pit and/or underground environments. This role is crucial in guiding the operational trajectory of the mine and ensuring its long-term sustainability and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed short, medium, and long-term mine plans and schedules.
• Optimize mine designs and production sequences to maximize resource utilization and economic value.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for mine planning scenarios.
• Generate mineable shapes and select appropriate mining methods based on geological and technical parameters.
• Collaborate with geological teams to interpret resource models and integrate them into planning processes.
• Work closely with operations and engineering departments to ensure plans are practical and executable.
• Monitor plan adherence and provide variance analysis, recommending adjustments as necessary.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Stay current with advancements in mine planning software, techniques, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in planning activities.

Requirements

• BSc/BEng in Mining Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mine planning, with significant exposure to operational environments.
• Proficiency in industry-standard mine planning software such as Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan, or similar.
• Strong understanding of open-pit and/or underground mining methods, depending on the operation.
• Excellent analytical, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret geological data and resource models effectively.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a hybrid team setting.
• Experience in the South African mining context is highly desirable.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or professional registration with relevant bodies is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Hybrid work model for enhanced work-life balance.
• Opportunity to contribute to significant mining projects in KwaZulu-Natal .
• Professional development and training programs.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.
• Exposure to diverse mining challenges and technologies.