Chief Mine Planner at Gold Fields Limited

The Chief Mine Planner is accountable for the development of optimal mining plans that considers inputs from all stakeholders (i.e Geotech, geology, occupational hygiene, production execution and maintenance). The developed mine plan must be sustainable and facilitate the achievement of both short and long term production and development objectives.  These operational and strategic mine plans will create sustainable and optimal long-term value for our people; communities, stakeholders and shareholders alike.

Minimum Requirements:

• Tertiary qualification in Mining Engineering, Mine Planning or Mineral Resource Management or related discipline.
• At least 10 years’ experience in mine planning with at least 5 years at junior/middle management level.
• Advanced skills in mine planning software (design and scheduling), preferably Deswik.
• Be declared medically fit for the position and environment, as determined by a risk-based medical examination at the Gold Fields Occupational Health Centre and pass a Heat Tolerance Screening test, and such other tests as may be required to assess the applicant’s suitability for employment.

Key Competencies:

• Proven safety and environmental leadership/stewardship - Knowledge of safety policies, procedures and the significance of consistently demonstrating required behaviours and championing safety values
• Proven track record in underground mining with experience in massive mechanised and deep level mining.
• Management/Leadership experience, accompanied by underground production and planning experience.
• Communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in written/presentation form.
• Resilience and the ability to adapt to change and deal with some degree of ambiguity.
• In-depth understanding of the mining value chain to identify and execute on opportunities where technical expertise can enhance business performance.
• Sound interpersonal relations, collaboration and good communication skills
• Ability to translate the mine’s strategy into feasible plans to the required resolution

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Application of Safety and Health principles to identify and mitigate risks in terms of safety and productive output
• Responsible for people leadership within section by managing workload, assigning tasks and reviewing/ recognising outputs of team members.
• Drive the delivery of technical solutions in projects and operations by demonstrating project management skills and active resource management, including effective control of budgets, deliverables, staff and contracts.
• Work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure effective cross functional coordination between geotechnical, geology, mine planning, survey, production engineering and mining to ensure the overall operational performance objectives and SHEQ standards are supported.
• Develop management processes and systems: long-term planning, mine development and stope design; stope database and reconciliation.
• Provide specialist technical input to mine planning, to develop, model, select and optimise production, project and economic strategies, initiatives and new business, and coordinate authorization processes
• Provide input and recommendations into scoping, feasibility studies, strategic planning process, long term plan options and project value tracking and monitoring.
• Identify, report and comment on key technical issues, risks and opportunities for value add within area of expertise and impact thereof on the operation and/or project.
• Co-ordinate mine plan designs along with associated budgets and ensure efficient capital allocation
• Develop rolling business plan forecasts with reporting at agreed intervals.
• Produce spatial and total stope and development reconciliations.