OceanaGold is a growing intermediate gold and copper producer committed to safely and responsibly maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from our operations and delivering strong returns for our shareholders.
We have a portfolio of four operating mines: the Haile Gold Mine in the United States of America; Didipio Mine in the Philippines; and the Macraes and Waihi operations in New Zealand. Our operations are supported by a global workforce with significant exploration, development and operating experience.
Our Purpose is mining gold for a better future. The gold, copper, and silver we produce are essential to the renewable energy and transport sectors, life-saving medical devices and technology which connects communities around the world. Our activities also contribute to economic growth and improved health and education outcomes in the regions where we operate. We provide direct employment for over 3,700 people and indirect employment for many more.
Our Vision is to be a company people trust, want to work and partner with, supply and invest in, to create value. This Vision is brought to life by our Values – Care, Respect, Integrity, Performance and Teamwork – which put our people, host communities, the environment and our stakeholders at the forefront of our decision-making.
OceanaGold is committed to providing equal employment opportunities.
If you share the same values and have what we are looking for, please apply online now via our careers website: https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/OceanaGold
Job Description
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.
Qualifications
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.
Additional Information
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs, talk, hear and see.
Occasionally may be required to lift moderately heavy objects (up to 50 pounds) during the workday.
Occasionally may be required to work early morning or evening hours to meet global organizational needs.
Work is in a surface mine plant setting, which may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity.
Personal protective equipment is required when performing work in a mine environment, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves and any other protective equipment as required.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.