Strategic Mine Planning Engineer – Open Pit/Underground

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual bonuses

Medical aid and retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch near Paarl is seeking a Mine Planning Engineer to lead long-term strategic planning for open-pit and underground operations, focusing on safe, efficient extraction and economic viability.

The role requires 8+ years in mine planning, strong design and scheduling skills, and proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan, and Surpac; you will collaborate across geology, operations and engineering and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in mine planning with emphasis on long-term strategic planning.
• Proven expertise in open-pit and/or underground mine design and scheduling.
• Advanced proficiency with industry-standard mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac).
• Strong understanding of geological modeling, resource estimation, and reserve reporting.
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Develop and update long-term mine plans (5–20 year horizon).
• Optimize mine designs, production schedules, and fleet requirements.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new mining areas or expansions.
• Liaise with geological, operational, and engineering departments to ensure integration of all aspects of mine planning.
• Perform reserve and resource modeling, including volumetric calculations and resource reporting.
• Utilize advanced mine planning software (Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac) for design and scheduling.
• Identify and assess potential risks and opportunities related to long-term mine plans.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation for management and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior planning engineers and support the development of the planning team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Mathematical ability

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering

Tools

Deswik

Vulcan

Surpac

Job description

Placements24 in Stellenbosch near Paarl is seeking a Mine Planning Engineer to lead long-term strategic planning for open-pit and underground operations, focusing on safe, efficient extraction and economic viability.

The role requires 8+ years in mine planning, strong design and scheduling skills, and proficiency with Deswik, Vulcan, and Surpac; you will collaborate across geology, operations and engineering and mentor junior staff.