LR_Mine Planning & Infrastructure Eng. (377788)

Duties and Responsibilities / KPI’s

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Develop detailed pit designs, dumps, haul roads, and other mine infrastructure using industry-standard mine planning software.
• Develop and deliver timely short- and medium-term mine plans to support the Ore Extraction team in achieving production targets.
• Create monthly, quarterly, and annual mine plans, including ore treatment forecasts and production schedules.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with mine plans through daily engagement with operations, adjusting plans as needed based on practical conditions.
• Conduct plan-versus-actual reconciliations and recalibrate schedules to maintain alignment with business objectives.
• Perform equipment simulation and scenario planning to optimize resource utilization and operational efficiency.
• Schedule and monitor waste dumping and support progressive rehabilitation planning.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities in mine planning processes.
• Support and promote safety, health, and environmental standards in all planning activities.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and technical standards.
• Mentor and train junior mining engineers to build internal planning capacity.
• Compile and maintain Life-of-Mine (LOM) plans.
• Maintain and update rolling monthly plans.
• Recommend corrective actions for deviations from plan.
• Ensure technical discipline, integrity and audit readiness.
• Guarantee robustness and integration of short- and long-term plans.
• Contribute to the development of mine technical systems and planning tools.
• Conduct scenario analyses and trade-off studies for lease areas and potential projects.
• Maintain accountability for planning data and reporting systems.
• Ensure compliance with group and site-specific planning guidelines through regular audits.

Site safety policy and new initiatives: Actively contribute to initiatives and implement change as directed by TSD Manager

• Pro-active safety culture: Develop and promote by the identification, development, dissemination and review of safe practices and procedures and by ensuring the awareness of team members
• Compliance of personnel: Actively promote, monitor and enforce with safe work practices.
• Risk identification and addressing: Ensure all health, safety and hygiene risks are identified and address in the SOP’s and Risk assessments.
• Risk assessment: Develop standard Risk Assessments for all critical tasks.

Key Stakeholders and Relationships to Manage:

• Mine Maintenance Manager: Collaborate closely with Mine Maintenance Team to ensure proper Equipment scheduling.
• Mine Operation Manager: Engage with Mine Operation Team to time deliver Plans and ensure compliance to safety and environment standards.
• Plant Operation Manager: Engage with Crushing Plant and Concentrator Operation Team for procedural guidance and safety monitoring for production.
• Learners and Apprentices: Build strong relationships with learners, providing mentorship and guidance throughout their learning journey.
• Supervisors and Department Heads: Collaborate with department heads from estates, plants, and port operations to ensure process diagrams are effective.

Measures of Success KPIs:

• KPI measures:
• Short-Term Plan Accuracy (Daily/Weekly/Monthly):
• Variance between planned and actual production (tonnage, grade, strip ratio).
• Timeliness and quality of daily and weekly plans delivered to operations.
• Medium-Term Delivery Plan (Monthly/Quarterly):
• On-time submission of rolling monthly and quarterly plans aligned with production targets and resource availability.
• Plan Compliance Monitoring:
• Frequency and effectiveness of plan compliance reviews with the operations team.
• Number of corrective actions taken and their impact on performance.
• Scenario Planning & Optimization:
• Number and quality of short- and medium-term scenario analyses conducted to improve operational flexibility and cost efficiency.
• Staff Development & Mentorship:
• Progress in training and mentoring junior mine planners and engineers, measured through competency assessments and training hours.
• Planning System Utilization:
• Effective use of mine planning tools (e.g., Maptek, Deswik etc.) for generating and updating plans.
• Accuracy and consistency of data inputs and outputs.
• Compliance with Planning Standards:
• Adherence to internal and group-level short- and medium-term planning standards and audit requirements.

Consequences of Unsuccessful Execution:

• Non-Compliance with MoU: Failure to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) could lead to penalties or loss of contracts.

Employee Development:

• Ensure Comprehensive Training: Provide coaching and mentorship to junior engineers and supervisors.

Qualifications / Experience / Technical Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in open-pit mine planning, pit design, and production scheduling.
• Strong proficiency in Deswik mine planning and scheduling software is essential, particularly for open-pit scheduling workflows.
• Demonstrated capability in open-pit design, including pit phase design, pushback design, ramps, benches, berms, and access development.
• Good working knowledge of other mine planning software such as Maptek Vulcan, Datamine, MineSight, or similar platforms would be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, pit optimization, mine sequencing, and scheduling principles.
• Practical experience in short-term, medium-term, and/or long-term mine planning, including production scheduling and mining sequence development.
• Experience in haulage analysis, equipment productivity, waste/ore movement planning, and material balance.
• Ability to integrate geotechnical, hydrological, operational, and safety considerations into practical open-pit mine designs.
• Familiarity with reconciliation, mine plan compliance, and production tracking would be an advantage.

Specific Skills

• English: Must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Computer Skills: Good computer skills with the ability to use integrated management systems, word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications, Mine Planning and design Software.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively across all levels.
• Reporting: Strong report writing and presentation skills.

Desirable

• Strong Leadership and Communication skills.
• Mine Planning and Scheduling.
• Planning, organizing and coordination skills.
• Creating a high-performance culture.
• Teamwork, sound interpersonal skills and good work ethics.

Personal Qualities / Behavioral Traits

• Physical posture: Be physically fit and be able to pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Attention to Detail: Exhibits a meticulous approach to designs accuracy.
• Adaptability: Flexible in responding to changing conditions, including updates in industry standards or shifts in Infrastructure planning needs.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Upholds high ethical standards, ensuring fairness and transparency in all interactions with stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• The role involves working both in office settings and on-site at mining facilities.
• Standard working hours are expected, with potential for extended hours or shift work depending on maintenance needs and project requirements.
• Occasional travel to different mining sites or project locations may be required.
• The position may involve physical activity, including site inspections and assessments, necessitating physical stamina and dexterity.

Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations, standards, and procedures.
• Participate in health, safety and environment training programs to understand potential hazards, safety procedures, and emergency protocols.
• Report any health, safety and environmental concerns, incidents, or near misses promptly to the designated supervisor or safety officer.
• Assist in identifying workplace hazards and participate in risk assessments to minimize risks to personal health and safety.
• Wear appropriate PPE as required for specific tasks or environments and ensure that it is maintained and used correctly.
• Be familiar with emergency response procedures, including evacuation routes, assembly points, and first aid protocols.
• Follow established safe work practices and procedures to prevent accidents, injuries, or illnesses.
• Operate machinery, tools, and equipment safely, following manufacturer's instructions and the AML safety guidelines.
• Maintain a clean and orderly workspace to reduce hazards and prevent accidents.
• Promote a culture of health and safety awareness among coworkers by encouraging safe behaviors and reporting unsafe conditions.
• Participate in health and safety committees or meetings as required, providing input and suggestions for improving workplace safety.
• Keep accurate records of safety inspections, incidents, and training activities as required by company policy and regulations.

Environment

• Oversee and monitor the environmental performance of your department's functions, ensuring high levels of awareness and compliance with company environmental policies and relevant environmental laws.
• Regularly review environmental performance metrics and indicators to track progress, identify trends, and address areas for improvement.
• Ensure all environmental incidents are reported promptly and investigated thoroughly in line with company policies and legal requirements.
• Uphold a culture of environmental responsibility and compliance within the organization by setting clear expectations for incident reporting and response at all levels.
• Collaborate with the Environment team to identify opportunities for environmental improvement and develop strategic programs to enhance sustainability practices.