Rock Engineer (Coal) x2 at Sasol

Purpose of Job

• To create a safe stable underground working environment in at a colliery of Sasol Mining. This is a middle management position with substantial operational duties and responsibilities. Main focus of this job is to design/develop and assist in implementing systems, procedures and techniques that will ensure mine stability of all coal mines of Sasol Mining. This will include inputs into the training material as well as underground coaching of all levels of personnel. Due to the nature of the post the incumbent will operate with a wide variety of individuals and in varying group sizes.

Key Accountabilities

• Provides Ground management expert advice on Operational and Long Term balance regarding safety, cost and production
• Assist in creating systems (e.g. ground management standard, equipment retrieval standard, mine stability and layout, etc) which embed safe practices as a natural way of doing things – training and enabling functional specialists as well as operating personnel to understand rock mass risks and lead indicators
• Ensures Long Term stability of critical capital structures and environmentally sensitive areas by the selection of appropriate excavation and pillar design parameters in consideration of the local geological and geotechnical environment
• Enable and support line managers on a day to day as well as crisis situation basis to manage risk effectively – facilitate problem solution by applying sound rock engineering principles and ensuring the right outcome
• Identify, develop and introduce best practices regarding mine design / pillar design, mining methods, support design and monitoring methods, tools and equipment in collaboration with the Ground management system aligned with Centralized Rock Engineering support services.
• Provides input into annual Rock Engineering budget and significant secondary impact on mining cost, production rate-and cost and reserve utilisation
• (SHE) – Overall accountability for strategy to strive towards best-in-class safety performance and continuous improvement of key safety metrics to maintain license to operate for mines in area of responsibility

Competencies

The Rock Engineer assists the mine managers at the specific operation with maintaining mine and excavation stability in the following manner:

• Risk based assessments of ground conditions and identification of ground-related hazards for effective ground management;
• Control plans aligned with changing ground conditions to manage residual risk through Document 6 (Ground management Risk assessment);
• Alignment of the Document 3 (Control document) with conditions;
• Communicating risk to the employer; and
• Advising on appropriate measures to treat the hazards;
• Completion of Scheduled control effectiveness assessments;
• Participate in the capacity assurance meeting for production Bonus purposes;
• Ensure operational discipline through a competent work force by providing relevant training.
• Appointed as Reg14.1.8 competent person for the colliery

Key Leadership Activities

• Display Safety mindset as top priority;
• Work in collaboration with Centralised Rock Engineer department and colliery
• Dialogue, planning, panel risk assessment and work sessions with Integrated Planning, Geology, Mine mangers and VP (Vice president) of operation;
• Attend and give input into the 24 month rolling Plan; 2 and 12 WBS (Work Block Schedule) and the Integrated Operations Model;
• Apply facilitation skills to ensure critical control embedding in the operation;
• Apply communication skills and assertiveness to discuss findings and report on deviations and control effectiveness;
• Coaches and oversees work executed by the Strata Control Officers at the operation;
• Report writing to Senior Rock Engineer, Mine manager and mine overseers;
• Be able to work independently within the safety framework of the mine;
• Integrity and Sasol Values to be demonstrated at all times

Formal Education

• B Tech or University bachelors degree or advanced diploma in Mining Engineering or Geology

Min Experience

• 3+ relevant years in underground coal mining

Certification

• Advanced Diploma or Degree
• Certificate of Competency as Strata Control officer - Coal (Must)
• Certificate of Competency as Rock Engineer - Coal(Must)
• Member of SANIRE (Wish)

Deadline:20th August,2025