Geotechnical Engineer - Postmasburg at Anglo American

Job Description:

• Ensure geotechnical compliance and safety in the Mine and support Operations with engineering design and layout.
• Manage a safe and healthy work environment where workers and contractor can deliver their outputs within a controlled risk environment.
• Keep environmental impact within statutory requirements to ensure compliance with statutory requirements is met.
• Active participation in VFLs, Risk Assessments and close-out of Safety Actions.
•  Ensure sufficient and appropriate geotechnical data is collected, captured, and validated to facilitate geotechnical designs that conform to international best practices.
• Analyse geotechnical data to make effective design decisions and perform LOM design layouts for operations in the area of responsibility.
•  Provide input into the layout design models of new Operations.
• Interact with service departments such as mine planning, geology, and survey to ensure that mine plans, geotechnical standards, and Mine Code of Practices related to Geotechnical Engineering are signed off.
• Oversee the design layouts and support systems developed by Geotechnical Engineers and Strata Control Officers and ensure the integrity and laboratory testing on rock samples by performing rock or stress testing.
• Implement and monitor the Final Pit Boundary Mine to design the process.
• Ensure that all final pit boundaries are mapped and post-excavation analysis is conducted.
• Ensure an appropriate level of slope stability monitoring is undertaken.
• Undertake Geotechnical standby duties.
•  Oversee the integrity of the data collected and, based on stability monitoring, determine the impact/effectiveness of mine designs.
• Test the effectiveness of systems by conducting routine evacuation drills.
• Ensure and monitor legal and Code of Practice (COP) compliance for Geotechnical Engineering and rock-related Codes of Practice, standards and procedures are updated and implemented.
• Communicate changes to legal requirements and provide input into risk assessment regarding Geotechnical Engineering requirements.
• Ensure provisions of regulations related to Geotechnical Engineering are fully complied with and perform fatality and fall-of-ground investigations.
• Conduct routine or ad-hoc visits to all Operations and audits of Operations to ensure compliance with Geotechnical Engineering standards.
• Ensure that a monthly geotechnical forward-looking HIRA is undertaken and reported.
• Conduct geotechnical engineering training and support to relevant personnel in all operations by providing training on the proper installation and use of high wall support.
• Develop modules on preventative geotechnical engineering measures.
• Conduct train-the-trainer training for Strata control officer / Assistant Technician.
• Ensure that support standards are aligned with the Anglo Safety Way.
• Assist with stakeholder alignment and knowledge transfer through regularly interacting with external consultants and overseeing the work performed by the Geology, Project Services, Survey and Mining Services Departments.
• Develop the scope of work for the external consultants, ensure that work is performed in line with this, and liaise with key suppliers through discussions and formal meetings.
• Provide input and raise issues for discussions at various senior mining caucus meetings.
• Keep up to date with current technologies.

Qualifications:

• Graduate Diploma in Mining Engineering or a related Science field (NQF6)
• B.Sc. Degree / National Higher Diploma in Earth Sciences field (NQF7)
• Chamber of Mines Certificate in Rock Mechanics
• Registered as a Rock Engineer with SANIRE
• Appointed in terms of section 2.9.2 of the Mine Health and Safety Act
• SA Drivers Licence
• Eligible for candidate registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) would be advantageous

Technical Knowledge

• Proficiency in geohydrology, with a strong understanding of its principles and applications.
• Fundamental knowledge of relevant safety and mining legislation, including the Mine Health and Safety Act and the Minerals and Energy Act.