Senior Mine Planning Engineer - Underground

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planning Engineer for an underground mining focus near Polokwane, Limpopo. The role leads strategic mine planning, long- to short-term scheduling, and optimization initiatives to maximize value and safety.

You will use Deswik, Vulcan and Surpac to design, optimize layouts, and schedule production, while evaluating feasibility and risks with multi-disciplinary teams. Ten years of underground planning experience and a Mining Engineering degree are required; Pr

Qualifications

• Degree in Mining Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 10 years in underground mine planning and design.
• At least 5 years in a senior role and leadership capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of mine economics and project management.
• Experience with underground methods such as cut-and-fill, sub-level stoping, and room-and-pillar is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-, medium-, and short-term underground mine plans to maximize recovery and value.
• Utilize Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac to design and optimize layouts and schedules.
• Perform feasibility studies and economic evaluations for mining methods.
• Collaborate with geology, geotechnical, and operations teams for integrated planning.
• Mentor junior engineers and prepare technical reports for management.

Skills

Mine planning

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious name in the global mining industry, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Mine Planning Engineer to lead strategic underground mine planning initiatives. This role is based in the vicinity of Polokwane, Limpopo , offering a crucial opportunity to shape the future of resource extraction in a key mining province of South Africa . The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in underground mining methodologies, advanced mine design software, and a strong understanding of mine economics and optimization. This position offers significant responsibility and the chance to contribute to long-term mine development strategies within a reputable organization. The role combines strategic planning with operational insights, requiring periodic visits to operational sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term, medium-term, and short-term mine plans for underground operations, focusing on maximizing resource recovery and economic value.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) to create and optimize mine designs, including stope layouts, access development, and production scheduling.
• Conduct detailed feasibility studies, economic evaluations, and trade-off analyses for various mining methods and scenarios.
• Collaborate closely with geological, geotechnical, and operational teams to ensure integrated mine planning.
• Perform geotechnical assessments and provide input for ground support design and operational risk management.
• Manage mine production scheduling, sequencing, and resource allocation to meet production targets efficiently and safely.
• Ensure mine plans comply with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior mine planning engineers and technical staff.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, presentations, and documentation for senior management and stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in underground mine planning and design.
• Assist in the management of capital expenditure related to mine development projects.
• Optimize mine layouts and sequences to minimize costs and maximize the Net Present Value (NPV) of the operation.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mining Engineering from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in underground mine planning and design, with at least 5 years in a senior capacity.
• Proven expertise in various underground mining methods (e.g., cut-and-fill, shrinkage, sub-level stoping, room-and-pillar).
• Advanced proficiency in mine planning software such as Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, or similar packages.
• Strong understanding of mine economics, financial modeling, and project management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex planning projects and delivering results.
• Willingness to travel to various mine sites within Limpopo and potentially other regions as needed.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration or eligibility is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career progression within a leading mining organization.
• Support for professional development and continuous learning.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for exceptional candidates.
• Exposure to diverse underground mining projects and cutting-edge technologies.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment.