Senior Hydrogeologist at De Beers Group

Job Description

The Senior Hydrogeologist will provide expert hydrogeological input into the establishment and safe management of groundwater operational strategies / activities related to cave mining methods, in accordance with the Anglo-American Water Management Plan / Guidelines. The role is intended to ensure that input is provided into mine designs and planning for operational through to long term activities, with due consideration for the local hydrogeological and geotechnical environment, together with requirements for safe, productive mining execution.

You are required to:

• Review, upgrade and upkeep of seepage mapping database; reporting and formats.
• Monthly Groundwater report detailing all the processes followed and status of various hydrogeological projects / test work in accordance with the Anglo-American standards.
• Review, upgrade and upkeep of Groundwater TARP and implement appropriate Groundwater triggers and alarm thresholds.
• Identify hydrogeological hazards; risks and/or opportunities through regular analysis and interpretation of hydro- and geotechnical data and underground inspections.
• Recommend suitable instrumentation to monitor and / or treat identified hazards or opportunities.
• Perform appropriate groundwater tests / measurements; analyses and / or calculations; and prepare reports for forward use by Geotechnical team and other appointed Consultants.
• Direct the collection of hydro and geotechnical data to update the Hydrogeological model.
• Core logging related to groundwater drilling and groundwater strikes during core drilling, for characterisation of the groundwater (where the water comes from, why does it manifest the way it does etc).
• Dewatering of underground workings to ensure dry and safe mining conditions.
• Maintain groundwater level below mining level.

Qualifications

Formal qualifications:

• Grade 12 / Std 10 / N3 /relevant National NQF4 level qualification.
• BSc Honours degree in Hydrogeology or similarly aligned qualification.
• Professional registration SANIRE; SAIMM (advantageous)
• Valid drivers’ license (EB)

Experience required:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in hydrogeology in mining operations (consulting and/or operational experience)
• Experience in large scale mine dewatering systems
• Experience in depressurization systems
• Experience with site-wide water balances
• Computer literate: MS Office and discipline specific software (GEMCOM, Leapfrog, Datamine and Deswik is Advantageous)

Other requirements:

• Work on site at Mine operation will be required. This may involve activities of a physical nature in a typical mine environment (for example noise, vibration, heat, small spaces, reduced visibility)
• Computer Literacy - MS Office Suite (Word/Excel/Power Point/Outlook)
• Effective communication skills in English (written and verbal)
• Ability to work in a team, with diverse teams with opposing objectives.
• Have a drive for delivery ethic.
• Medical Certificate of Fitness to work underground which would include Heat Tolerance Testing
• The post is dependent on the successful completion of the Company’s pre-employment protocol such as qualifications verification, relevant psychometric assessments and a clear security clearance.