Senior Mine Planning Engineer - Open Pit Operations

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Medical aid and retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planning Engineer for our mining client near Sandton, Gauteng. You will develop medium to long-term mine plans, optimize layouts, and translate geological models into actionable schedules and designs.

The role requires strong open-pit mining knowledge, planning software expertise, and financial modeling capability. You will collaborate with geology, operations, and technical services to drive safe, efficient extraction while mentoring junior engineers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering required.
• 7+ years of experience in mine planning, open-pit focus.
• Experience with mine planning software and geological modeling tools.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment, constraints.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain medium to long-term mine plans, including production schedules, pit designs, and waste disposal strategies.
• Optimize mine layouts and sequences to maximize resource recovery and value.
• Collaborate with geologists to integrate geological data into mine plans.
• Work with operations teams to implement mining plans and provide technical support.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for proposed developments.
• Prepare technical reports, budgets, and presentations for mine planning.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor junior mine planning engineers and drive improvements within the department.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Financial modeling

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Vulcan

Datamine

Xact

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading mining group operating extensive open-pit mines in the Gauteng province, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mine Planning Engineer to join their team near Sandton . This critical role focuses on developing, optimizing, and implementing medium to long-term mine plans to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective extraction of resources. You will collaborate closely with geology, operations, and technical services teams to translate geological models into practical mining schedules and designs. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, mine design software, and financial modeling related to mine planning. We are committed to fostering a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced planning engineer to take on greater responsibility and drive strategic decisions within a prominent mining organization. Your contributions will be vital for the sustained success of our open-pit operations in the vicinity of Sandton .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain medium to long-term mine plans, including production schedules, pit designs, and waste disposal strategies.
• Optimize mine layouts and sequences to maximize resource recovery and economic value.
• Collaborate with geologists to integrate geological data and resource models into mine plans.
• Work closely with operations teams to ensure effective implementation of mining plans and provide technical support.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for proposed mine developments and optimizations.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Vulcan, Datamine, Xact).
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and budgets related to mine planning.
• Ensure all mine planning activities comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the planning department.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a significant focus on open-pit operations.
• Proven experience with mine planning software and geological modeling tools.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment, and operational constraints.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Must be legally entitled to work in South Africa and willing to commute or reside near Sandton .
• Professional registration with ECSA or equivalent is desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Exposure to large-scale open-pit mining operations and innovative planning techniques.