Geotechnical Engineer

Under the general supervision of the Senior Geotechnical Engineer, the Underground Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for reviewing mine plans and providing expertise by applying rock mechanics principles to underground mine designs. The role includes leading and assisting in various ground support designs, numerical modeling, and planning projects. Additionally, the engineer ensures adherence to the Ground Control Management Plan through quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) strength testing, monitoring, and audits.

This is a unique opportunity for cross-training in open pit and dam geotechnical fields. The role involves providing geotechnical supports including field instrumentation, field mapping, geotechnical monitoring with slope stability radars and instruments, blast vibration monitoring and analysis, rockfall management, slope design reviews, and hydrogeology.

Operational Responsibilities

• Design and develop ground support standards for underground excavations to ensure stability and safety.
• Adhere to ground control QA/QC programs, including conducting bolt pull-testing and compressive strength testing of grout, shotcrete, and backfill materials.
• Support and maintain the Ground Control Management Plans, ensuring they are up-to-date and effective.
• Assist in the development and delivery of ground control safety training programs to educate mine personnel on best ground control safety practices.
• Perform regular geotechnical field inspections and audits of active mining areas to identify ground control hazards and implement mitigation actions.
• Develop rehabilitation plans for areas requiring ground support and track the progress of ground support actions.
• Review mine designs and plans to ensure they are consistent with rock mechanics principles and geotechnical standards.
• Conduct geotechnical mapping and core logging to document rock mass characteristics and inform ground or mine design.
• Create and support mitigation ground support plans to address identified geotechnical risks and enhance mine safety.
• Provide geotechnical support for open pit and dam construction activities, including field instrumentation, geotechnical mapping, geotechnical monitoring with slope stability radars and geotechnical instruments, blast vibration monitoring ana analysis, rockfall management, slope design reviews and hydrogeology, as needed.
• Ensure all geotechnical activities meet required standards and maintain a register of risks and opportunities.
• Support the effective execution of the Underground Business Plan by mitigating potential schedule risks.
• Prepare and distribute regular operational reports, designing value-adding reporting systems.
• Deliver accurate geotechnical estimates and budgets, seeking cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, schedule, or quality.
• Perform other duties as required.

People and Performance Management

• Mentoring and coaching engineers how to design and plan an underground open stoping mine.
• Establish and maintain a productive project culture through effective people management and team building.
• Monitor subordinates in their performance and direct their activities as necessary to ensure engineering requirements are achieved.
• Communicate regularly with all staff to ensure that goals and priorities are clearly understood and to promote a harmonious working environment.

Health, Safety, and Environment

• • Comply with OceanaGold Health and Safety Policy and Environment Policy.
  • Promoting safety awareness and environmental responsibility amongst company and contract personnel.
  • Report all personal injuries and incidents and assisting with investigations.
  • Prepare and maintain an active register identifying all geotechnical risks and opportunities for the project.
  • Actively supporting and participate in safety and environmental initiatives.
  • Accepting accountability to ensure personal safety and the safety of others whilst protecting the environment.
  • Monitor the reporting of workplace incidents and hazards to ensure effective risk mitigation is maintained.
  • Undertake workplace inspections and audits to ensure site standards are being adhered to.
  • Support incident investigations that occur within area of control.

Requirements

• • Bachelor’s degree in Mining engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant geotechnical engineering experience, with underground experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of and experience with sublevel stoping mining methods, mine design, ground support, and backfilling.
  • Experience in geotechnical investigation and evaluations, ground support design, mine design reviews, backfilling, field instrumentation, and data interpretation.
  • Exposure to mine design software such as Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, etc.
  • Proficiency in geotechnical software including Dips, UnWedge, RS2, RS3, and FLAC3D.