Senior Mine Planner - Open Pit

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonuses

Medical aid and provident fund

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mine Planner for open-pit operations in Welkom, Free State. You will develop short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans, leveraging Deswik, Vulcan and MinePlan to optimize designs and schedules while ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Collaborate with geology and survey teams, run feasibility studies, and mentor junior engineers as part of a dynamic, high-impact mining team in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in mine planning, open-pit focus.
• Proficiency with mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan).
• Solid understanding of open-pit mining methods and constraints.
• Experience with resource modeling and reserves estimation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Hybrid work model balancing on-site Welkom collaboration with remote analysis.
• ECSA registration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Use Deswik, Vulcan and MinePlan to design and schedule production.
• Perform pit shell optimization, scheduling, and equipment utilization analysis.
• Collaborate with geology and surveying to integrate resource data.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new developments.
• Monitor performance and implement corrective actions.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations for management.
• Mentor junior engineers and improve planning processes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Mining Engineering

Tools

Desawik

Vulcan

MinePlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the South African mining sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mine Planner specializing in open-pit operations. This role is based in the vibrant mining district of Welkom, Free State. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and executing short-term, medium-term, and long-term mine plans to maximize resource recovery and operational efficiency while ensuring safety and environmental compliance. You will work with a dedicated team of mining engineers, geologists, and surveyors, utilizing advanced mine planning software to create realistic and achievable production schedules. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to strategic mine development and operational improvements within a dynamic and resource-rich environment. The company is committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in all aspects of its mining activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Mine kế hoạch) to generate optimal designs and schedules.
• Perform strategic planning activities, including pit shell optimization, production scheduling, and equipment utilization analysis.
• Collaborate with geology and surveying teams to integrate resource models and survey data into mine plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mine developments and expansions.
• Monitor mine performance against plan and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant mining regulations, safety standards, and environmental policies.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for mine management and stakeholders.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a strong focus on open-pit operations.
• Proven proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software packages.
• Solid understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment, and operational constraints.
• Experience with resource modeling and reserve estimation principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work model, balancing on-site collaboration in Welkom, Free State with remote analysis.
• Professional registration with ECSA is preferred.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits such as medical aid and a provident fund. Opportunities for professional development and career advancement are actively supported. The role is situated in the historically significant mining region of Welkom, Free State , providing a stable operational base. Our client is dedicated to ensuring a safe and productive work environment, with a strong emphasis on health, safety, and employee well-being. Hybrid work arrangements offer flexibility while ensuring essential on-site collaboration.