Technical Advisor – Strategic Planning

Lumwana Mine, Solwezi, Zambia.

Reporting to: Strategic Planning Superintendent

Lumwana Mining Company Limited (LMC), a copper mining company owned by Barrick Gold Corporation is situated in the North Western region of Zambia, some 300 km west of the Zambian Copperbelt and 95 km south west of the provincial capital of Solwezi. The mine is a multi-pit, multi staged operation mining approximately 100MT of ore and waste per annum and producing copper concentrates containing an average of 120,000 tonnes of copper metal per year over a twenty (20) year mine life, making Lumwana the largest single open cut copper mine in Africa. The Company is now looking for an experienced and qualified individual to be considered for the position of Technical Advisor – Strategic Planning

Role Summary

Reporting to the Superintendent – Strategic Planning, you will be expected to provide technical specialist input into the development of medium term and long-term planning staff and overall Strategic Planning capability in support of a world class planning capability. To assist in the development of scenarios and optimal mine plans to increase the asset value to the various shareholders. This role also involves close working relations across the value chain and includes technical training for the Medium Term and Long-Term Planning Teams.

Your duties will include but not limited to the following:

• Working with geology department to ensure that reserve and grade control models are updated and correct, and in a form useable for mine planning. Assisting geology department with calculation and tabulation of resource and reserve statements and modifying factors
• Carrying out of mine optimisation to develop optimum shells and alternative scenarios. This includes development or collation of all inputs used for the optimisation including cost models, equipment and production assumptions, processing data and geotechnical parameters. Evaluate the optimum shells with required and agreed economic parameters and sensitivities.
• Working with operations to ensure correct equipment is selected to meet production targets and practical operational needs. Develop life of mine cost models for the equipment and use these models for the selection process when required.
• Design of final pit and phase designs to maximise productivity, ore control and recovery, using agreed hydrogeological and geotechnical parameters.
• Design of waste dumps and ore stockpiles are designed to sufficient capacity for each material type, and that they are designed in suitable locations that minimise haulage.
• Design of infrastructure required for mine production (e.g. roads, culverts, power supply etc.).
• Develop optimum medium and long-term mine schedules and scenarios for the time periods required for operational, corporate and external planning and reporting needs. Ensure that these take into consideration all required aspects of equipment operational parameters, planned maintenance and contingencies for unplanned maintenance, geology, geotechnical, material types and destinations, drill and blast special projects. Ensure these plans are properly communicated to operational staff and all other stakeholders.
• Ensure that reconciliations are done against all these schedules and plans to track progress and so that corrections can be made when progress deviates.
• Ensure that all mine designs, schedules and plans are cognizant of CHESS requirements.
• Coaching and mentoring of subordinates through Barrick Competency Based Employee Development (BCBED)
• Assessing employees in structured skills assessment process such as Employee Training Assessment Management System (ETAMS)
• Offer support to supervisor positions so to be able to assess work place efficiencies and provide guidance to workplace supervisors

Experience & Qualifications

·         Degree in Mine Engineering from a recognised University

·         Professional registration or eligible for registration as a Member of the Engineering Institution of Zambia

·         Extensive experience (15-20 years) in the open pit mining industry

·         Experience in large multi pit operations, complex geology utilising large scale mining equipment i.e. drill rigs and blasting experience essential.

·         Experience in the Mine Planning especially Medium and Long Term Planning

·         Specific knowledge of using the Mine Planning software (Whittle, Deswik, Vulcan, Minemax)

·         Demonstrated ability to develop staff and create a centre of excellence

·         Able to clearly demonstrate the aptitude to drive a light vehicle and hold a current Zambian drivers’ licence or be able to obtain one.

·         Be physically fit and be able to pass a pre-employment medical examination.

·         Must have excellent written and oral communication skills in English and show a commitment to understand local culture and impart your mining operations and technical knowledge to the local Zambian mine operations personnel.

·         Competent in incident/accident investigation

·         Commitment to training of Zambian national citizens

·         Proven ability to deliver results and act as a change agent.

·         Demonstrated ability to lead a team safely and improve team safety awareness.

·         High level understanding of all relevant legislation affecting the employment and safety of persons in the mining industry in Zambia.

·         Experience in managing costs and budgeting

·         Demonstrated application of continuous improvement ideas

Ability to read and interpret Microsoft project softwareZambian Nationals who meet requirements for this position and are resident in Zambia are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants may be subjected to any of the following: a Security and / or Police Clearance Check; a Competence Assessment, Qualifications, Credit and Reference Checks.