Senior Mine Planning Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Bonus structure

Health insurance and retirement plan

Career development opportunities

Relocation assistance to Richards Bay

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planning Engineer for operations in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on developing, optimizing, and implementing detailed mine plans for open-pit and underground operations, with long-range planning and short-term scheduling.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in mine planning, proficiency in Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac and MinePlan, and a solid grasp of safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in mine planning and design in the mining sector.
• Proficiency in Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, MinePlan.
• Strong understanding of mining methods, geology, geomechanics and survey principles.
• Experience with reserve estimation and resource modeling interpretation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of South African mining regulations and best practices is advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in the Richards Bay area.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic long-term mine plans (5–20 years) and short-term schedules.
• Conduct mine design studies including pit optimization, haul road design and slope analysis.
• Utilize Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac and MinePlan for design and visualization.
• Collaborate with geological and survey teams to integrate models into plans.
• Perform economic evaluations of different mining scenarios.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, environmental permits and policies.
• Provide technical support to operations for plan execution.
• Analyze variances and update plans to meet targets.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation for stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

MinePlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major force in the mining industry , is seeking a highly proficient Senior Mine Planning Engineer to join their operations in the strategically important region of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is fundamental to the long-term success and profitability of our client's mining ventures, focusing on developing, optimizing, and implementing detailed mine plans for both open-pit and underground operations. You will be responsible for strategic long-range planning, short-term scheduling, and ensuring that all plans are technically sound, economically viable, and adhere to the strictest safety and environmental standards. This position requires a blend of technical expertise in mine design software, a deep understanding of mining methods, and strong analytical skills to translate geological data into efficient operational plans. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem-solver, capable of navigating the complex challenges inherent in large-scale mining projects. Your contributions will directly impact production targets and resource utilization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic long-term mine plans (5-20 years) and short-term production schedules (weekly/monthly).
• Conduct mine design studies, including pit optimization, haul road design, slope stability analysis integration, and mine layout.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Mine2-4D) for designing and visualizing mine operations.
• Collaborate with geological and survey teams to integrate resource models and survey data into mine plans.
• Perform economic evaluations of different mining scenarios and sequences.
• Ensure mine plans comply with safety regulations, environmental permits, and company policies.
• Provide technical support and guidance to mine operations personnel regarding plan execution.
• Analyze production variances and update plans as necessary to meet targets.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
• Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning and design within the mining sector , with a focus on open-pit or underground operations.
• Proficiency in industry-standard mine planning and design software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, MinePlan).
• Strong understanding of mining methods, geology, geomechanics, and survey principles.
• Experience with reserve estimation and resource modeling interpretation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of South African mining regulations and best practices is advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in the Richards Bay area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting the seniority of the role.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Relocation assistance for candidates relocating to Richards Bay .
• Exposure to a variety of mining projects and cutting-edge technologies.
• A dynamic and challenging work environment within a leading mining organization.
• Paid leave and company-mandated holidays.