Principal GSP Mine Planning at AngloGold Ashanti

Education & Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in mining related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualifications in mining related discipline and/or business would be advantageous.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

(Advanced application of the following)

Safety 

• Can identify and interpret safety risks and resolve emerging issues; and ensuring that appropriate focus and resources are available to achieve safety objectives.

Mining Production Processes & Practices 

• Extensive experience and understanding of mining production process/practices. 
• Understanding of good production practices, management, support systems, and how each should interact to deliver targeted performance.
• Considered an expert for developing innovative technical ideas/practices with the mining methods and the application.
• Proven ability to implement changes in line with ‘best in class’ practices / technology and able to lead field trials on new methods and technologies.
• An expert level knowledge of Mining Methods and strengths and weaknesses of the methods and the applicable use.

Operational Management 

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the company.
• Detailed understanding of all functions (technical or otherwise) within a mining operation. Able to proactively identify impacts, issues and opportunities associated with changes in other disciplines and vice versa.
• Detailed understand of all discipline related cost drivers, their interrelationship with other disciplines, and the impact to the operations long term financial results.
• Ability to coach and mentor people at all levels.

Mine Planning (Mastery)

• Understanding of good mine planning processes and the ability to drive the establishment of required planning systems and approaches.
• Considered an expert in Strategic Planning – has ability to rapidly assess the potential of an asset and understand the drivers to achieve that potential
• Considered an expert in mine design and scheduling to achieve Business outcomes
• Ability to coach and mentor technical staff
• Ability to complete design work to right level of detail ie conceptual for scenarios / detailed for Feasibility Study and know when each level of detail is required
• Excellent communicator of various mine plans and scenarios for an asset to all levels of a mine site

Contract Management (Basic Application)

• Solid knowledge in contract management practices and demonstrated ability in managing operational mining contracts.

Project Management 

• Understands AGA project management standards and has applied them in a minor project to conceptual level.
• Ability to lead a minor project and interact with test work and engineering consultant service providers
• Applies project management principles in achieving deliverables particularly when working with multiple discipline teams

Innovation

• Thinks creatively to develop multiple, workable options
• Generates innovative solutions, which continuously improve the performance of existing assets, products, services or processes
• Demonstrating an openness to new ideas and new ways of working

 Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the resources industry.
• 5+ Years in an operating environment.
• 5+ Years in mine planning related roles.
• Previous involvement in major studies would be advantageous.
• Advanced knowledge of mine planning processes and systems, particularly in strategic planning.
• Familiar with the development, validation & analysis of production and/or business analysis models for mine operations/projects.
• Successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.
• A track record of finding practical solutions to technical problems.
• Sound understanding and practical experience of mining economic evaluation & optimization related techniques including:-Economic definition of ore
• Cost estimation… operating & capital
• Cash flow modelling
• Capital investment appraisal techniques and theory
• Theory of Constraints
• Risk assessment
• Value optimisation
• Experience with LOM planning and options analysis
• Proficiency with the application of specialized mine planning software & the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Input into the scoping of GSP engagements and the selection of fit-for-purpose modelling approaches.
• Leading the development of the mine schedules and production scenarios for the assigned engagement.
• Working with the appropriate SME’s to develop defendable inputs & assumptions.
• Analysis and validation of results, and insights based on them.
• Supporting communication of results & recommendations to all stakeholders, including AGA Senior Leadership.
• Providing feedback and updates to GSP Engagement Leads as required.
• Continuous improvement of GSP processes, tools & systems.
• The role is focused on delivering value adding & insightful outputs which support an informed decision-making process at the asset and AGA portfolio level.

Safety Accountabilities:

• Demonstrate and support a proactive safety culture within the team and the organization.
• Identify safety risks, help resolve emerging issues, escalate issues when needed.
• Take opportunities during site visits to engage on safety.
• Model behaviour consistent with the AGA Safety Vision, Values, and Procedures.

Work Accountabilities:

• Lead mine planning/scheduling and technical input into the delivery of engagements as directed by the GSP Engagement Lead, potentially involving complex and cross-functional scheduling priorities.
• Collaborate with the GSP team, other SME’s and key leaders & stakeholders from throughout AGA to support and deliver each engagement.
• Provide input into the development of a fit-for purpose scope and approach to deliver the objectives to schedule/budget.
• Support technical due diligence exercises as requested.
• Actively look for ways to improve the quality &/or efficiency of GSP Engagements.
• Provide technical expertise across the organisation in the field of Strategic Mine Planning.
• Develop and maintain professional networks within the industry and other appropriate bodies to build knowledge, influence as appropriate, and represent the company in a professional manner.

People Accountabilities:        

• Work and collaborate effectively with teams for the duration of the GSP engagement.  
• Collaborate with key leaders & stakeholders and develop cross-function relationships to deliver the GSP engagements objective(s).
• Take opportunities to coach, develop talent, and improve the strategic mine planning “health of discipline” across AGA.

Financial Accountabilities:     

• Support the budget development & estimation for each GSP Engagement.
• Support annual GSP direct budget development & estimation.
• Influence AGA investment decision making by contributing to value adding & insightful engagements.  The estimated indirect financial influence of this role is >$100M NPV.