At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

PURPOSE

The Rock Mechanics Engineer is accountable for the implementation and coordination of rock engineering interventions and processes as well as the application of systems and processes aligned to best practices to optimize safe extraction through advice and support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will be required to adhere to all relevant requirements, policies, procedures and legal regulations pertaining to health, safety, environment and quality, as well as finance, human resources, and any other regulations as required by the company and relevant to the level of the role and responsibilities of the function.

• The Rock Mechanics Engineer is accountable for providing an effective rock engineering service delivery and support to the Technical Services and Mining Operations departments to ensure the safety and productivity of mining operations.
• In this regard the role will effectively monitor and control rock engineering activities, plan, prioritise and coordinate operational strata control tasks and activities, supervise the strata control process, develop quality controls to ensure alignment with standardisation requirements, policies, procedures and operating standards, and identify production compromising conditions, defects and improvement opportunities.
• In addition, the role will be required to lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives both within and outside of the rock engineering section.
• The Rock Mechanics Engineer will actively participate in creating a safe mining environment by providing services and support related to open pit instability and incident investigations, identifying changes in the production environment, defects and safety risks and providing input into the development of safety standards, processes, policies and procedures.
• The role will be required to provide coaching and advice to operational stakeholders aligned to best practices, resolve or escalate operational rock engineering related queries or breakdowns declared, and liaise with Technical Services personnel to assist with pro-active or re-active measures related to slope design, implementation, auditing and planning.
• The Rock Mechanics Engineer will ensure successful teamwork and supervision of rock engineering resources and participate in the continuous improvement of the Rock Engineering function:
• Effectively monitor and control rock engineering activities
• Plan, prioritize and coordinate operational strata control tasks and activities
• Supervising strata control processes
• Developing quality controls to ensure alignment with standardization requirements, policies, procedures and operating standards
• Ensure effective service delivery and support to ensure a productive mining environment
• Identifying production compromising conditions, defects and improvement opportunities
• Ensuring adherence to international best practice and legislative requirements
• Providing services and support related to bench/wall instability and incident investigations
• Identifying changes in the production environment, defects and safety risks
• Providing input into the development of safety standards, processes, policies and procedures
• Maintaining effective stakeholder relationships
• Providing coaching and advice to operational stakeholders aligned to best practices
• Liaising with Technical Services personnel to assist with pro-active or re-active measures related to short-term layouts, implementation, auditing and planning
• Resolving and or escalating operational rock engineering related queries or breakdowns declared
• Ensuring successful teamwork and supervision of rock engineering resources
• Building competencies through support, on-the-job coaching and participation in training and development requirements
• Participate in the continuous improvement of the Rock Engineering Function

QUALIFICATIONS

• A full Grade12 Certificate
• Relevant Mining tertiary qualification (e.g. B.Tech or BSc)
• Chamber of Mines’ Rock Mechanics Certificate
• Blasting Certificate
• Strata Control Certificate
• Masters in Science will be an added advantage

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in mining (open cast preferable) with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Well rounded Rock Engineer

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Show maturity and possess the ability to liaise with different sections, and/or departments with different KPI’s.
• Ability to work under pressure and be able to return the required level of composure.
• Be able to spot areas of improvement
• Provide candour to team members for performance improvements.
• Be a self-motivated individual.
• Work with less supervision but be bold enough to make appropriate decisions.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain self-discipline within a stressful environment.
• Ability to lead in a multi-cultural environment.
• Good report writing abilities.
• Exposure to noise/dust
• To do Shift Work When required
• Manual Driver’s Licence
• Ensure effective rock engineering service delivery and support to Technical Services and Mining Operations
• Ensure adherence to organisational best practice and legislative requirements
• Actively participate in creating a safe mining environment
• Maintain effective stakeholder relationships
• Ensure successful teamwork and supervision of rock engineering resources
• Continuous improvement of the Rock Engineering Function