Senior Mine Planning Engineer - Gold and Platinum

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 950,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package benchmarked against the

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Relocation assistance

Hybrid on-site collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planning Engineer in Polokwane to lead the creation of short-, mid-, and long-term mine plans for open-pit and underground operations. You will use Deswik, Vulcan, and MinePlan to design layouts and schedules, collaborating with geologists and operations to optimize extraction.

You will mentor junior staff, conduct feasibility studies, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards while driving value and efficiency in a hybrid on-site role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in mine planning and design, preferably gold/PGM.
• Advanced proficiency in Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan or similar.
• Strong knowledge of mining methods and resource estimation.
• Excellent analytical and project-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term (daily/weekly), medium-term (monthly/quarterly), and long-term (annual/life-of-mine) mine plans for underground and/or open-pit operations.
• Utilize mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan) to create detailed mine designs, layouts, and production schedules.
• Collaborate with geologists to interpret resource models and align geological potential with mining plans.
• Work with operations to understand practical constraints and optimize mine sequencing and productivity.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new projects and mine expansions.
• Mentor and guide junior planning engineers and technicians.
• Ensure plans comply with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Mine design

Scheduling

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

MinePlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major diversified mining group with significant operations in Polokwane, Limpopo , is seeking an accomplished Senior Mine Planning Engineer. This role is integral to the strategic development and operational success of their gold and platinum mining divisions. The Senior Mine Planning Engineer will be responsible for the development and execution of short-term, medium-term, and long-term mine plans, ensuring optimal resource utilization, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to safety and environmental standards. The position demands a high level of technical expertise in mine design, scheduling, and optimization, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills. The successful candidate will work closely with mine management, operations teams, and geological staff to translate resource models into viable and efficient mining plans. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of a leading mining entity in a region rich with mineral wealth.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain short-term (daily/weekly), medium-term (monthly/quarterly), and long-term (annual/life-of-mine) mine plans for underground and/or open-pit operations.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan) to create detailed mine designs, layouts, and production schedules.
• Collaborate with geologists to interpret resource models and ensure alignment between geological potential and mining plans.
• Work with operations personnel to understand practical constraints and optimize mine sequencing and productivity.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new projects and mine expansions.
• Perform mine capacity analysis, equipment utilization studies, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure mine plans comply with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for management review and stakeholder engagement.
• Mentor and guide junior planning engineers and technicians.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of mine planning processes and methodologies.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning and design, preferably within gold and platinum group metals (PGM) operations.
• Advanced proficiency in mine planning and scheduling software such as Deswik, Vulcan, MinePlan, or similar.
• Strong understanding of mining methods, geological modeling, and resource estimation principles.
• Experience with economic evaluation techniques and mine feasibility studies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with South African mining legislation and best practices.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site presence with remote work flexibility.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive salary package, benchmarked against industry standards.
• Medical aid.
• A substantial retirement fund.
• Performance bonuses.
• Relocation assistance may be available for suitable candidates.
• Hybrid role provides a degree of flexibility while ensuring essential on-site collaboration critical for mine planning.
• Significant opportunities for career progression within Polokwane, Limpopo and beyond.