Principal Mining Engineer: Operational Mine Planning at Anglo American

Job Description:
As our Principal Mining Engineer: Operational Mine Planning, you will ensure the quality of operational mine planning at Kumba through (1) process benchmarking and continuous improvement, (2) introducing and supporting the implementation of best-in-class systems and applications and (3) providing support to the Medium- and Short-Term mine planning departments at Sishen and Kolomela. Thus improving the mine planning processes and supporting the mine planning teams focusing on MOP, mine activity design (MAD), operational mine planning (12-Week plan) and mine-to-plan reconciliation. This position further provides supports any relevant mining projects by: 

• Providing technical inputs into the development of the Business Plan, MOP, MAD, operational mine plans and the mine-to-plan reconciliation process.
• Breaking down Group requirements on operational mine planning and mine-to-plan reconciliation to site level and communicate to on-site teams
• Working with the technical teams on site and develop MOP, MAD and operational mine plans that aligns with the requirements set out in the Business Plan.  
• Identifying, implementing and monitoring technical and planning improvements which includes the adoption of mine planning applications, technology and digitalization / Future Mine requirements to meet sustainability and ambition targets
• Providing planning inputs in the MOP and 12-Week mine planning processes ensuring these mine plans Achieves the Business Plan requirements – both spatial and tonnes and are aligned with the short-term plans and also guide this plan to achieve the BP objectives
• Reviewing the output of the MOP - identifying risks and opportunity and assisting the operations to address these
• Providing mine planning inputs into the development of the Business Plan focusing on detailed MAD designs (Mine Activity Design) 
• Reviewing and sign-off Mine Activity Designs (MAD), ensuring they are based on mining engineering principles and can be executed
• Working with mine technical services teams to constantly align actuals with the Business Plan requirements.
• Establishing effective communication and feedback processes with mine technical teams and key stakeholder groups to ensure people are informed and aware of business objectives, performance and direction in a timely and routine manner
• Owning the mine-to-plan reconciliation process
• Providing input into improving this process focusing on forward looking action that will improve the future operational mine plans 
• Driving continuous improvement in the operational mine planning space and cross-functional interfaces required to deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient mining operations
• Identifying benchmarks and best practices in mine planning between operations and within Group
• Optimizing mine planning processes to ensure safe and efficient process to meet business expectations.
• Lead the mine to plan compliance process focusing on:
• Identifying opportunities to align with the Business Plan requirements and implement accordingly
• Business unit reporting into Group
• Providing thought leadership to all operational mine planning activities to ensure a realistic range of options are investigated, considered and effectively implemented, with recognition of effective discipline integration and value from synergies
• Proactively identify mining-related challenges and opportunities by reviewing operational plans 
• Defining challenges, opportunities and impact on the Business Plan.
• Assisting on-site teams to implement improvement opportunities and mitigate risks
• Embedding new mine planning applications and technologies into the mine planning space focusing on software once solution design is execution-ready
• Supporting change management processes in implementation of new technologies
• Monitoring and measuring benefit realization
• Holding individuals and teams to account as appropriate

This position is in the Mine Planning department on a band 5 level and reporting to the Manager Mining

Qualifications:
You will be required to have the following :

• Bachelor of Mining Engineering, and preferably a post graduate Mining Engineering qualification
• Legislatively required qualifications (e.g., MMCC) will be advantageous
• Registration with ECSA as Professional Engineer will be advantageous
• Internal or external Leadership courses
• Driver’s License

Experience:

• Strong open pit mine planning experience.
• Mining Engineering open-pit experience at Section Manager level – operational and technical.
• Management experience at MTS Manger, Manager Mining level will be advantageous.
• A positive track record of delivering quality mine planning and mining engineering outputs
• A positive track record in the management of safety, health and environmental aspects.
• An appreciation of legislation relating to the mining industry, as well as applicable procedures

Closing Date: 29th, March 2022