Senior Mine Planning Engineer - Underground Operations

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mine Planning Engineer to lead underground planning at our Pretoria, Gauteng operations. You will develop short, medium, and long-term mine plans, optimize layouts, and ensure safe, cost-effective extraction while coordinating with geology and geotechnical teams.

The role requires at least 7 years in mine planning, proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan, or Surpac, and a strong grasp of underground methods, surveying, and financial evaluation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering; Masters preferred.
• 7+ years in mine planning, with underground focus.
• Proficiency in Deswik, Vulcan, or Surpac.
• Experience in scheduling, analysis, and feasibility studies.
• ECSA registration desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans for underground operations.
• Optimize mine layouts, production sequences, and equipment utilization to meet production targets.
• Collaborate with geology and geotechnical teams to integrate resource models into mine plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for mine development projects.
• Perform mine design work, including stope layouts, access development, and ventilation planning.
• Utilize mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) for design and scheduling.

Skills

Mine planning

Underground mining

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Master's degree advantageous

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

MS Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a dynamic and expanding mining operation seeking a highly skilled Senior Mine Planning Engineer to contribute to their underground operations in **Pretoria, Gauteng**. This role is essential for the strategic planning and optimization of mining activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective resource extraction. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing short, medium, and long-term mine plans, collaborating closely with operational teams, geologists, and geotechnical engineers. You will utilize advanced mine planning software and analytical techniques to maximize resource utilization and operational performance. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner to join a forward-thinking organization and play a key role in shaping its future production strategies. You will work within a supportive team environment at their **Pretoria, Gauteng** headquarters, with occasional site visits required.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed short, medium, and long-term mine plans for underground operations.
• Optimize mine layouts, production sequences, and equipment utilization to meet production targets.
• Collaborate with geological and geotechnical teams to integrate resource models and geotechnical constraints into mine plans.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for mine development projects.
• Perform mine design work, including stope layouts, access development, and ventilation planning.
• Utilize mine planning software (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) for design and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, environmental standards, and company policies.
• Analyze production data and variances, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and operational guides for management.
• Mentor junior mine planning engineers and contribute to team development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering. A Master's degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in mine planning, with a strong focus on underground mining operations.
• Proficiency in mine planning software such as Deswik, Vulcan, or Surpac.
• Solid understanding of mining methods, rock mechanics, and surveying principles.
• Experience with production scheduling and optimization techniques.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of financial evaluation methods for mining projects.
• Experience in the **South African mining industry** is highly preferred.
• Professional registration with ECSA or eligibility is desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package designed to attract and retain top talent, along with performance-based bonuses.
• A comprehensive benefits package includes medical aid, a retirement fund, and annual leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, further training, and career advancement within their extensive operations are provided.
• This role is based in **Pretoria, Gauteng**, offering a stimulating work environment and the chance to contribute significantly to a leading mining company.