Leading Chrome Mining giant is looking for a qualified and experienced Rock Engineering Mineral Resource Specialist for their Unit in Steelpoort.

Minimum qualifications:

Chamber of Mines Certificate in Strata Control.
Chamber of Mines Certificate in Rock Mechanics (Papers 1, 2 & 3).

Additional qualifications:

B-Tech Mining or Degree in Mining Engineering will be advantageous.

Additional requirements:

Medical fitness as per organisational requirements.

Purpose of the job:

The purpose of this job is to provide mine designs, mining optimisation service and solutions to rock engineering problems with the aim of maximising safety and profitability within the designated area of responsibility.

SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY

Ensure the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996) safety and health standards are maintained.
Ensure SHEQ compliance within the section through effective use of the toolbox.
Utilise the Information System (IMS) to initiate, investigate and report on SHEQ status.

PEOPLE

Manage Rock Engineering subordinates, i.e. Strata Control Officers and Strata Control Attendants.
Communicate to all customers via direct reports.
Assist with the training of underground personnel in Strata Control principles with the emphasis on identification of hazardous geological features.

CUSTOMERS

Ensure Customer Satisfaction

BUSINESS PROCESSES

Mine Planning and Design:

Identify, review and make recommendations to management regarding systems, procedures and techniques to reduce or eliminate potential hazards.
Assist the Superintendent Rock Engineer in developing and revising strategies for Code Of Practice (COP) annually.
Assist the Superintendent Rock Engineer in designing all protection, control and support pillars on the mine.
Design location, slope and support of all tunnels and service excavations.
Approve plans for mining sequences taking into account:
probability of rock falls in seismic areas
stability of off-reef excavations
support systems (current and anticipated) rock conditions.
special areas.
Design Inbord or Pillar workings:
Select board width and design bord support systems.
Check application of standard design techniques for corrections.
Approve design of pillar extraction.
Provide input into mine planning to ensure desired sequencing is adhered to.
Ensure variations from planned layout do not create a hazardous situation.
Indicate steps to rectify hazardous situations.
Design new or alternative mining configurations and layouts.

Fall-Of-Ground:

Reduce or eliminate Rockfall Hazards.
Identify, review and make recommendations to management regarding systems, procedures and techniques to reduce or eliminate rockfall hazards.
Manage GPR system especially with regard to dome structures.
Develop and revise strategies for Mines Code Of Practice (COP) to reduce incidents and effects of Fall Of Ground.
Periodic analysis of unit with emphasis on sequencing.
Manage and design support recommendations for stopes and excavations.
Develop and review mining and support standards and procedures.
Manage and participate in geotechnical analysis of borehole cores.
Assess and classify “special” areas.

Monitoring and Investigations:

Establish and manage monitoring, recording and reporting systems.
Monitor pillar performance to ensure that they conform to design requirements.
Inspect production and service workings to detect abnormal conditions and departures from planned layout.
Inspect excavations to ensure adherence to design sequence and support recommendations.
Monitor slope stability in opencast operations.
Monitor performance of support systems.
Monitor displacements where probability of instability exists.
Initiate and manage research projects and investigations.
Investigate unusual ground conditions, report findings and make recommendations.
Monitor blasting strategies and operations.
Investigate all rock-related accidents or major Fall-Of-Ground occurrences and submit a report.
Compile official accident or Dangerous Occurrence Report to the DMR.

Research and Technology:

Investigate new Rock Mechanics/ Engineering technologies/developments that may influence the safety or economics of the mine.
Investigate possibility of improving existing support systems.
Develop and revise strategies for Mines Code Of Practice (COP) taking into account new technological developments.
Attend workshops/seminars/conferences/ training courses to keep abreast of new Rock mechanics/Rock Engineering technologies.

Quality Control:

Manage quality control tests to ensure support elements provide the required performance characteristics.

Reports:

Compile Rock Engineering Reports.

GROWTH

Implement Rock Engineering projects.

SHAREHOLDER VALUE

Manage departmental costs.

Behavioural Competencies:

Adaptability
Aligning Performance for Success
Commercial Acumen
Continuous Improvement
Emotional Intelligence
Influencing
Initiative
Leadership
Planning, Organising & Control
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Results Orientation
Safety Leadership
Technical/Professional Excellence
Workplace Competencies:

Skills:
Operating computer systems (numerical modelling) such as Map 3D and J-Block.
Operating a borehole camera and ground penetration radar.
Knowledge: Basic knowledge and understanding of the Bushveld Complex rocks.
Geotechnical analysis of borehole cores.
Interpreting borehole camera and ground penetration radar images.