The successful person must be experienced and shall be responsible for assessing and managing ground stability to ensure the safe design and support of mine structures as well as analyse soil and rock behaviour to prevent collapses and optimize excavation methods.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct regular geotechnical inspections of underground excavations including development headings, stopes, drives, shafts, and ground support systems.
- Recommend appropriate underground monitoring systems in consultation with Mine Planning and Mining departments.
- Perform detailed analysis of fall-of-ground incidents and conduct back-analysis to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
- Undertake groundwater inflow assessments, seepage mapping, and other hydrogeological tasks to manage water-related geotechnical risks underground.
- Conduct geotechnical mapping and structural analysis of underground openings to assess ground conditions and inform support requirements.
- Carry out geotechnical hazard identification and risk assessments; monitor ground movement and deformation using installed instrumentation.
- Collect geotechnical data from diamond drilling, including core logging, sample collection, and laboratory testing, with interpretation for underground applications.
- Ensure data validation and QA/QC are completed with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of ground support systems and make recommendations for ground control improvements.
- Provide geotechnical input into drill and blast designs to ensure excavation stability and minimize damage to surrounding rock.
- Review excavation performance against design parameters, focusing on rock mechanics issues and reconciliation between stope design and actual ground behaviour.
- Manage and supervise contractors for underground geotechnical drilling and instrumentation installation.
- Promote and develop the skills of subordinates through the transfer of technical knowledge and on-the-job training programs.
- Demonstrate personal commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
- Ensure adherence to geotechnical procedures, risk controls, and company safety standards.
- Enforce and support underground hazard management plans and critical control verifications.
- Maintain statutory and internal geotechnical reporting as required.
- Actively contribute to the Company’s Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) strategy and initiatives.
Requirements:
- University degree in Mining Engineering and/or Geotechnical and/or Rock Mechanical Engineering
- At least 5 years’ experience in mining
- Experience undertaking geotechnical analysis utilising Rock Mass Classification systems, structure analysis, failure mode and slope stability analysis