Senior Strata Control Officer

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Overall Job Purpose

• Responsible and accountable for the implementation of the slope and waste rock dump design to ensure safety of operations and optimisation of ore extraction. The position holder is tasked with management and coordination of geotechnical activities and processes as well as application of systems and processes aligned to best practices. Effective geotechnical engineering service delivery to the Mining Technical and Mining Operations Departments. Stakeholder management and team coordination and development.

Specific Job Responsibility

• Actively participate in creating a safe mining environment.
• Manage slope design and implementation processes in the area of responsibility.
• Manage geotechnical data collection and data management.
• Effectively monitor, control and coordinate geotechnical engineering activities and processes.
• Plan, prioritise and coordinate operational strata control tasks and activities.
• Ensure effective service delivery and support to ensure a productive mining environment.
• Ensure adherence to international best practice and legislative requirements.
• Provide services and support related to bench/wall, dump instability as well as investigations to crusher pockets, berms/crests damages.  
• Prepare technical reports that describing technical assessment, recommendations and its progress.
• Identify changes in the production environment, defects and safety risks.
• Provide input into the development of safety standards, processes, policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective stakeholder relationships (Mining Operations, Consultants and Contractors).
• Provide coaching and advice to operational stakeholders aligned to Geotechnical best practices.
• Resolve and or escalating operational geotechnical engineering related queries or breakdowns.
• Ensure successful teamwork and supervision of geotechnical engineering resources.
• Build competencies through support, on-the-job coaching and participation in training and development requirements.
• Assess relationship between ground conditions and blasting activities to minimize damage to the walls and other permanent structures.
• Collection and processing of slope monitoring data (e.g., prisms, extensometers, and radar).
• Assist the hydrologist in managing and monitoring groundwater and surface water issues, in order to preserve the pit walls in optimal condition.
• Development and implementation of the mines GCMP.
• Any other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Job Specific Competencies

• Intermediate computer skills (Microsoft Office & Pronto).
• Application of systems and technologies (Numerical Modelling Packages, RADAR software, applications and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of mine design software (Surpac, Vulcan, DataMine, Point Studio, and Leap Frog).
• Data extraction and capturing.
• Data gathering and integration.
• Data interpretation.
• QA/QC protocols and database management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including report writing.
• Able to visualise and conceptualise 3D drawings and pit layouts.
• Decision making.
• Time management.

Key Job Attributes

• Emotional intelligence
• Must uphold and enforce the highest standards of safety.
• Exceptional team building, project management and team coordination skills.
• Must be strategic, analytical and maintain the highest levels of integrity.
• Excellent coaching, mentoring and stakeholder management.

Experience required to perform in this job

• At least 5 years’ experience in a hard rock open pit mining environment.
• Practical knowledge within the mining industry

Experience & Qualifications Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in a hard rock open pit mining environment.
• Operational and practical experience and knowledge in open pit Copper and Nickel mining deposits.
• Practical experience in field ore control management, diamond drilling, reverse circulation drilling, project supervision and pit mapping.

• Full grade twelve (G12) certificate.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering or Civil Engineering
• Membership of a recognised overseas professional organisation (ROPO).
• South Africa Chamber of Mines Strata Control Certificate advantageous.
• Blasting License may be advantageous.
• Full clean SADC driver’s licence.

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