Our client is a major global producer and distributer of salt and other inorganic minerals, used for a variety of purposes.  The Rock Mechanic / Ground Control Engineer position is located at the mine site employing nearly 500 employees in the production of rock salt. The site is located in a beautiful community of 8,000 people situated on the shore of Lake Huron.

This exempt position functions within a team of other professionals, and reports directly to the Mine Engineering Manager. The Rock Mechanic / Ground Control Engineer will work closely with the Engineering, Production, and Maintenance Departments to support mine projects and improvement initiatives. The Rock Mechanic / Ground Control Engineer will actively participate in the mine continuous improvement process.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with Mine Engineer and Mine Technicians to develop and update mine plans, both long-term and short-term with relevant ground control actions
• Maintain rock mechanics instrumentation system, including determining monitoring sites, selection and installation of appropriate type of instrument, and installation of the equipment.
• Complete ground stability assessments initiated both proactively based on data and in response to concerns from the mine operations group.
• Develop rehabilitation plans in conjunction with the operations group on mine stability issues
• Conduct routine measurements for the purpose of ensuring quality control of ground support installations.
• Work closely with the Staff Mine Engineer and mine technicians to maintain and optimize ground control.
• Work with Production Department to develop and maintain rehab estimates.
• Evaluate ground movement data and recommend appropriate actions for ground stability.
• Consult on mine plans and the evaluate the potential long term impacts on ground stability
• Work with engineering consultants on numerical modeling of ground stability problems and alternative mining layouts.
• Oversee annual surveys of surface subsidence movement and assess and report on the results.
• Evaluate alternative ground support systems through field testing and implementation.
• Provide specifications on ground support used at the mine and ensure quality controls for installations.
• Assemble the annual mine design plan with the Mine Engineer.
• Investigate and submit information on reportable incidents, relating to ground conditions to the Ministry of labor.
• Design ground support systems for routine support of mine entries and for mine entries requiring special support needs.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• An accredited degree in Mining Engineering, or Geomechanics is required. Post graduate training is preferable.
• 5-10 years mining engineering or mine supervisory experience preferred, lesser experience considered depending on nature of experience and other qualifications.
• Ability to obtain Ontario PE required.
• Experience in Rock Mechanics & Ground Control is required. Experience in soft rock and specifically evaporate mining is preferred.
• Complete proficiency with Microsoft Office programs is required.
• Reasonable proficiency in AutoCAD and Project Management is required.
• Experience with CMMS, and ability to adapt to Enterprise One Resource Management Software
• Other mining related software experience is a plus.
• To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Demonstrates group presentation skills.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively.  Varies writing style to meet business needs. Able to read and interpret written information.  Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively and uses time efficiently.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction, keeps commitments, commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals, completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Mathematical Skills – Ability to work with mathematical functions related to engineering discipline and concepts.
• Reasoning Ability – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions and assemble into an effective presentation format.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Language Skills – Fluency in English is required.