Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Mining Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

The Underground Mining Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, optimizing and safely delivering underground mining operations. This role combines mine planning, geotechnical design, ground control, ventilation engineering, production scheduling, contractor and fleet coordination, blasting optimisation and regulatory compliance to meet production, cost and safety targets. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with stoping methods, development design, ventilation modelling, rock mechanics, and mine planning software (Deswik, Datamine, Surpac, Vulcan), and is accountable for translating geology and resource models into safe, efficient, and economic underground mining sequences.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate Mining Engineer / Mining Engineering Intern
Mining Technician or Underground Crew Supervisor
Geotechnical Technician or Field Geologist

Advancement To:

Senior Underground Mining Engineer / Lead Mining Engineer
Mine Superintendent / Production Manager
Technical Services Manager / Principal Mining Engineer
Mine Manager / General Manager (underground operations)

Lateral Moves:

Surface Mining Engineer
Resource Geologist / Block Model Analyst
Ventilation or Ground Control Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead end-to-end underground mine planning: convert geological block models into practical orebody extraction plans, design development drives, drawpoints and stopes with phased sequencing to meet short-, medium- and long-term production targets.
Produce detailed production schedules, cut-off calculations, and material flow forecasts using industry-standard mine planning software (Deswik, Datamine, Surpac, Vulcan) and coordinate integration with mill throughput and product specifications.
Design and implement ground control strategies: perform rock mass characterization, select support types (rock bolts, mesh, shotcrete, cement grouting), design reinforcement layouts for declines, stopes and development, and monitor performance over time.
Develop ventilation designs and controls: size fans and ducting, model airflow and contaminant dispersion (CO, diesel particulate matter), implement mine ventilation plans to meet regulatory and occupational health limits, and manage ventilation changes during short-term activities.
Prepare stope design packages including stope geometry, drawpoint layout, rib and back design, pillars and extraction sequencing, and ensure designs meet safety, dilution and recovery objectives.
Manage drilling and blasting programs for development and production headings: design drill patterns, specify explosive types, manage fragmentation expectations, and liaise with blasting contractors to improve fragmentation, reduce oversize and maintain ground stability.
Oversee shaft and decline design and maintenance activities: ensure structural integrity, coordinate rehabilitation, and plan new access development to support production and emergency egress.
Implement ore control and grade-control programs: sample supervision, mapping, reconciliation, assay data interpretation, and short-term grade control models to minimize dilution and maximize recovery.
Supervise contractors and onsite crews: manage scope, performance, HSE compliance, contractual KPIs, productivity monitoring, and daily tasking to ensure work meets schedule and safety standards.
Conduct geotechnical investigations and instrumentation programs: design borehole programs, install and interpret extensometers, piezometers, convergence monitoring and seismicity systems, and produce regular geotechnical reports and risk assessments.
Perform stability and numerical modelling: apply empirical, analytical and numerical methods (PLAXIS, FLAC3D, Rocscience) to assess pit-to-underground interactions, pillar design, and support loads, and recommend remedial actions.
Prepare capital and operating cost estimates for mine development and production phases, support budgeting, and work with procurement to optimize CAPEX/OPEX trade-offs.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives: identify operational bottlenecks, implement productivity and cost-improvement projects (e.g., development productivity, cycle time reduction, ore handling), and apply LEAN or Six Sigma principles where applicable.
Lead emergency preparedness and incident response for underground operations: maintain emergency response plans, participate in drills, and ensure rescue and egress systems are fit-for-purpose.
Ensure regulatory and environmental compliance: prepare permit applications, maintain records for MSHA / regional mining authorities, implement water and waste management controls and coordinate environmental monitoring.
Create and deliver technical reports, feasibility and pre-feasibility studies, mine plans, and detailed engineering packages for internal review and external stakeholders including investors and regulators.
Coordinate equipment selection, fleet sizing and utilization strategies with maintenance and operations teams to match equipment capabilities to underground development and production profiles.
Deliver production reporting, KPI dashboards and reconciliation analyses: track tonnes, grade, recovery, development meters and safety metrics and present clear recommendations to site leadership.
Mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians: provide technical coaching, supervise graduate programs, conduct on-the-job training, and ensure continuity of knowledge.
Manage change control and implementation of new technologies: evaluate mechanization options (e.g., LHD automation, bolt rig automation), pilot remote operations, and guide digital mining adoption (telemetry, fleet management, data analytics).
Lead risk assessments and hazard identification for all underground design and operational activities, and implement mitigation plans with measurable controls.
Support life-of-mine planning activities: integrate decline expansions, ventilation circuits, dewatering needs and scheduling into longer-term strategic plans and closure considerations.
Liaise with geology, metallurgy and processing teams to optimize ore sequencing for mill feed quality, blending strategies and metallurgical constraints.
Ensure procurement and contract documentation supports project schedules, technical specifications and compliance requirements for underground works.

Secondary Functions

Provide technical input to stakeholder and community engagement activities related to underground works and construction impacts.
Support continuous data collection and data quality assurance for mine models and reconciliation processes.
Participate in multi-disciplinary technical reviews, site audits and safety leadership rounds.
Contribute to recruitment, resource planning and performance review cycles for the technical team.
Assist in negotiating and managing subcontractor agreements for development, shotcreting and ground support.
Support mine closure planning activities by documenting as-built infrastructure and contributing to progressive rehabilitation strategies.
Help develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions and design checklists for underground operations.
Support capital project delivery by providing scope definitions, technical specifications and commissioning assistance.
Engage with research and development partners to trial new ground support systems, instrumentation or ventilation approaches.
Provide ad-hoc expert support during ramp-up periods, cutback transitions or temporary shutdowns requiring rapid re-sequencing.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Underground mine design and stope sequencing (long hole open stoping, cut and fill, room and pillar, sublevel caving).
Ground control and rock mechanics: rock mass rating, pillar design, support specification, shotcrete and mesh application.
Ventilation engineering: airflow modelling, fan selection, ducting design and contaminant control.
Mine planning and scheduling software: Deswik, Datamine, Surpac, Vulcan, Minesight or equivalent.
Numerical modelling and geotechnical software: Rocscience suite, PLAXIS, FLAC3D, or similar for stability assessments.
Ore control, grade control and block model reconciliation methodologies.
Drilling and blasting design for underground applications and explosive safety best practices.
Capital and operating cost estimation, budget preparation and cost control.
Fleet management and mining equipment selection for underground operations (LHD, trucks, jumbos, loaders).
Health, Safety and Environmental compliance including MSHA, regional mining authority requirements, and permit management.
Geotechnical instrumentation and data interpretation: extensometers, convergence monitoring, piezometers, seismic monitoring.
CAD and drafting skills (AutoCAD, MicroStation) for producing technical drawings and development plans.
Project management fundamentals: scheduling (MS Project), contract management, procurement and commissioning.
Data analysis and reporting skills, including Excel, PowerBI/Tableau and basic scripting (Python/SQL) for reconciliation and KPI dashboards.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication for clear reporting, toolbox talks and stakeholder briefings.
Leadership and people management: ability to lead small teams and influence multi-disciplinary crews.
Problem solving and analytical mindset with ability to make pragmatic decisions under pressure.
Attention to detail and quality assurance in design deliverables and safety documentation.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize competing operational objectives.
Adaptability to changing site conditions and strong field orientation to verify designs in situ.
Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork with geology, processing, maintenance and commercial teams.
Coaching and mentoring aptitude to develop junior staff and build internal capability.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Civil/Geotechnical Engineering with mining experience.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, Rock Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering or equivalent advanced technical qualification.
Professional certification (PE, CPEng, EurIng or equivalent) or eligibility for registration with a professional engineering body.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mining Engineering
Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics
Geological Engineering
Civil Engineering (with underground/mining specialization)
Mine Ventilation / Occupational Hygiene

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–12 years underground mining engineering experience, with a minimum of 3–5 years preferred for mid-level roles and 8+ years for senior roles.

Preferred:

Demonstrated track record of underground mine planning, stope design and ground control in hard rock environments.
Experience managing contractors, field crews and capital development projects.
Proven use of industry-standard mine planning and geotechnical software and experience interpreting instrumentation data.
Experience in regulatory compliance, emergency response planning and mine safety systems.
Prior exposure to mechanized underground operations, automation pilots or mine optimisation projects.