Geotechnical Engineer

Company Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Geotechnical Engineer. The purpose of this role is to ensure geotechnical compliance and safety in the Mine and support Operations with engineering design and layout.

We’re the best in the industry.

You’ll make us better.

Guided by our purpose and our values, we enable both high performance and purposeful action as we aim to “re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives”, delivering the metals and minerals that make modern life possible – from mobile phones to medicines.

Kumba Iron Ore

We produce high-grade iron ore, the key component in steel widely used in construction and manufacturing across the world. Our activities include all aspects – exploration; mining; processing and blending; shipping; marketing and selling. In South Africa, we have mining operations in the Northern Cape province, as well as a head office in Centurion, Gauteng, and a port operation in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape.

Job Description

As our Geotechnical Engineer, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Safe and Healthy Work Environment
  • Manage a safe and healthy work environment where workers and contractors 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.
• Performance and Delivery
• Data Capturing
  • Ensure sufficient and appropriate geotechnical data is collected, captured, and validated to facilitate geotechnical designs that conform to international best practices.
• Stakeholder Management
  • 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.
  • Provide geotechnical engineering training and support to relevant personnel in all operations, including 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.
• Outputs:
• Geotechnical drilling.
• Material testing.
• Validated database.
• Compliance with GTS assessment.
• Compliance with SIO COP to combat rock falls.
• Contribution to mine layout and design.
• Improvements found for reserve utilisation.
• Research and development completed.
• Accuracy of rock and stress testing reports.
• Integrity of design.
• Developing geotechnical engineering design parameters.
• Monthly OPCO report.
• Post-excavation analysis done.
• Final pit boundary mapped.
• Compile and revise slope stability monitoring strategy.
• Routine pit evacuation drills.
• Policies, standards, and procedures were signed off and implemented.
• Percentage compliance of COP with DMR guidelines.
• Required Risk Assessments in place.
• Legal Compliance/ Compliance.
• No / Minor findings during external and internal audits.
• Implement geotechnical engineering action plans.
• No uncontrollable falls or ground injuries.
• Effective monthly geotechnical engineering SHE.
• Monthly slope stability report.
• Training is conducted as per plan.
• Positive feedback from trainees on training.
• Modules are appropriately developed and trained.
• Proper installation and use of high-wall support.
• Quality of work performed by consultants.
• Scope of work defined and monitored.
• Timeous resolution of issues with stakeholders.
• Consistent approach to all stakeholders.
• Engagements with academic institutions.
• Implement the latest technologies.

This role is in Various Discovery & Geosciences (GEO) NC department on a band 6.10 level reporting to the Section Manager Geotechnical.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Mining Engineering or a related Geosciences field.
• 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.
• Chamber of Mines Certificate is advantageous.
• Passed two or more Rock Engineering Exam Papers.

Technical Knowledge

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in geosciences/geotechnical engineering in a mining engineering environment.
• 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.
• Basic understanding of geotechnical and dewatering practices, principles, and processes.

Additional Information

Who we are?

Anglo American is a global diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine.

We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate, and for society at large. Anglo American is re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives.

How we are committed to your safety

Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry. Not only that, we’re also continually investing in new technologies – from drones to data analytics – that are helping to make mining safer.

Inclusion and Diversity

Anglo American is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.