MR Superintendent Rock Engineer (Opencast) at Samancor Chrome

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Provide mine design and mining optimisation services and solutions to rock engineering problems to maximise safety and profitability within the designated area of responsibility.

SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY:

• Identify and assess level of issue-based risk exposures in area of responsibility by considering exposures to business, financial, legal issues, people, equipment, material, environment, processes, etc.
• Consider the level of risk, apply mitigation and implement control measures for residual risk (set objectives, minimum requirements, etc.)
• Manage SHEQ compliance within the Section through effective use of the Toolbox
• Utilise the Integrated Management System (IMS) to initiate, investigate and report SHEQ status.

PEOPLE:

Manage the Section:

• Ensure compliance to all DMRE labour compliance and codes of practice
• Manage the Rock Engineering Department and related consulting specialist
• Communicate to all customers via direct reports
• Assist with the training of underground personnel in Strata Control principles with the emphasis on identification of hazardous geological features
• Ensure an enabling climate/culture
• Manage labour stability by minimising labour turnover
• Labour complement in line with budget 
• Achieve HDSA/Female targets for the Section
• Manage performance against set targets and competencies
• Ensure IDP’s are linked to performance results and implemented as per plan
• Conduct career discussions and implement actions with all identified talent (quarterly)
• Ensure discipline is maintained (absenteeism, lateness, overtime, misconduct, etc.)
• Coach and counsel people to ensure improved performance levels
• Conduct recruitment interviews.

CUSTOMERS:

• Ensure customer satisfaction
• Key customers: Mining.

BUSINESS PROCESSES:

Mine Planning and Design:

• Identify, review and make recommendations to management regarding systems, procedures and techniques to reduce or eliminate potential hazards
• Develop and revise strategies for Code Of Practice (COP) annually and in line with legislative requirements.
• Design of slopes, roadways, bench widths and benches on the mine. 

Approve plans for mining sequences taking into account: 

• probability of rock falls and slope / bench failures 
• stability of off-reef excavations 
• support systems (current and anticipated) rock conditions
• application of presplit special areas.
• Provide input into mine planning to ensure the desired sequencing is adhered to 
• Ensure deviation from planned layout does not create hazardous situations
• Indicate steps to rectify hazardous situations 
• Design new or alternative mining configurations and layouts.

Fall-Of-Ground: 

• Reduce or eliminate Rockfall Hazards 
• Identify, review and make recommendations to management regarding systems, procedures and techniques to reduce or eliminate rockfall hazards 
• Develop and revise strategies for Mines Code Of Practice (COP) to reduce incidents and effects of Fall Of Ground or slope failures
• Manage and design support recommendations for surface excavations 
• Develop and review mining and support standards and procedures 
• Participate in geotechnical analysis of borehole cores 
• Assess and classify “special” or high-risk areas.

Monitoring and Investigations: 

• Establish and manage monitoring, recording and reporting systems 
• Monitor slope stability performance to ensure that they conform to design requirements production and service workings to detect abnormal conditions and departures from planned layout 
• Inspect excavations to ensure adherence to design sequence and support recommendations 
• Monitor the performance of support systems 
• Monitor displacements where the probability of instability exists 
• Initiate and manage research projects and investigations 
• Investigate unusual ground conditions, report findings and make recommendations 
• Monitor blasting strategies and operations 
• Investigate all rock-related incidents or major Fall-Of-Ground occurrences 
• Compile official accident or Dangerous Occurrence Reports to DMR when required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• BSc Hons / BTech (Geology / Mining Engineering) Degree or National Diploma
• Rock Mechanics Certificate – Open pit with slope stability
• Registered member of SANIRE
• 6 years’ relevant experience, preferably 2 years’ managerial experience, 
• Also, preferably 2 years as a Rock Engineer in surface mining operations.

Additional qualifications:

• Modelling Software
• A surface blasting certificate would be advantageous.

Skills:

• Present a comprehensive understanding of Surface mining operations. Mechanised mining experience would be beneficial.
• Ability to apply problem solving techniques
• Numerical Modelling

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of the Bushveld Complex and associated structural/deformational environment.
• Blasting and initiation systems
• Rock Mass classification systems and their application to slope stability.
• Seismicity / PPV interpretation and interaction of surface mining with infrastructure.