Senior Mine Planner - Open Pit Operations

Placements24; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Performance-based bonus

Retirement fund

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mine Planner for a major open-pit operation near Rustenburg, North West. You will develop medium- to long-term mine plans and optimize resource use to maximize returns.

The role requires 8+ years in open-pit mine planning, with proficiency in Deswik, MinePlan or Surpac, and strong geological interpretation. On-site work is expected with potential travel and mentorship of junior planners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in mine planning.
• Proficient with Deswik, MinePlan and Surpac.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods and production scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated medium to long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Conduct strategic planning including pit design, scheduling, and forecasting.
• Collaborate with geology, survey and operations to ensure plans are sound and achievable.
• Utilize Deswik, MinePlan or Surpac for optimization and analysis.
• Perform economic evaluations of mining scenarios and assess options.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations in planning.
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior management.

Skills

Communication

Presentation

Interpersonal skills

Analytical thinking

Education

BEng or BSc in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

MinePlan

Surpac

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the mining industry, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mine Planner to contribute to their large-scale open-pit operations near Rustenburg. This position is crucial for developing and optimizing medium to long-term mine plans, ensuring efficient resource utilization, and maximizing economic returns. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of open-pit mining methods, mine planning software, and geological interpretation. This role offers a fantastic career progression opportunity within a leading mining company in North West province, contributing to the sustainable extraction of resources in South Africa. We foster a culture of safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain integrated medium to long-term mine plans for open-pit operations.
• Conduct strategic planning, including pit design, scheduling, and production forecasting.
• Collaborate closely with geology, survey, and operations teams to ensure plans are technically sound and achievable.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, MinePlan, Vulcan) for optimization and analysis.
• Perform economic evaluations of different mining scenarios and scenarios.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations in mine planning.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations on mine plans for senior management.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions within mining operations.
• Mentor junior mine planners and provide technical guidance.
• Regularly review and update mine plans based on operational performance and new geological information.

Requirements

• BEng or BSc in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mine planning, specifically focused on open-pit operations.
• Proven proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, MinePlan, Surpac).
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment, and production scheduling.
• Excellent geological interpretation and resource estimation review skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) designation or eligibility is highly desirable.
• Willingness to work on-site in Rustenburg and potentially travel to other operational areas.
• Experience in strategic mine planning and economic assessment.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, and a performance-driven bonus scheme.
• Employees also benefit from a robust retirement fund, extensive professional development opportunities, and relocation assistance to Rustenburg.
• We are committed to providing a safe, challenging, and rewarding work environment with significant career growth potential within North West and the broader South African mining sector.