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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Mining Specialist

💰 $ - $

MiningEngineeringUnderground MiningGeotechnical

🎯 Role Definition

The Underground Mining Specialist is a senior technical and operational role responsible for planning, executing and optimizing underground mine operations with a strong emphasis on ground control, ventilation, drill & blast, shaft and stope design, and safety compliance. This role partners with mine operations, planning, maintenance, and geology teams to ensure reliable production, reduce risk, and deliver sustainable improvements across underground mining systems. Core accountabilities include mine design review, geotechnical monitoring, ventilation management, blasting oversight, contractor and crew leadership, emergency readiness, and continual improvement using industry best practices (Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac, MSHA/SANS standards).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Graduate Mining Engineer (Underground)
  • Underground Shift Supervisor / Chargehands with technical background
  • Geotechnical Engineer or Drill & Blast Engineer transitioning to operations

Advancement To:

  • Underground Mine Manager / Mine Superintendent
  • Senior Mining Engineer – Regional Operations
  • Technical Services Manager (Underground) / Head of Underground Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics Specialist
  • Ventilation Engineer
  • Mine Planning / Scheduling Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the technical design and execution of underground excavation sequences (development and production headings, sill drives, crosscuts, raises and stopes), ensuring designs meet production targets, ground control standards and schedule requirements while minimizing dilution.
  • Develop, review and approve stope and ground support designs using rock mechanics principles, in-situ data and modelling outputs; author and maintain ground support and rockbolt schedules, mesh/shotcrete requirements and long-term pillar strategies.
  • Manage ventilation design, fan selection and control, and mine airways to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and occupational health standards; conduct ventilation assessments, tracer gas tests and manage the implementation of ventilation controls and monitoring systems.
  • Plan, supervise and optimize drill & blast operations including pattern design, explosive selection, initiation systems and fragmentation outcomes; liaise with blasting contractors, ensure regulatory compliance and investigate blast performance and flyrock incidents.
  • Oversee geotechnical monitoring programs (instruments, extensometers, convergence meters, stress cells) and interpret data to provide timely recommendations for remedial works, support redesigns and short-term ground control interventions.
  • Provide operational leadership for ore handling systems underground (LHD, scoops, conveyors, crushers, feeders), establishing performance KPIs, availability targets and maintenance interface with engineering and maintenance teams.
  • Coordinate shaft sinking, raiseboring and development projects; manage contractor selection, scope verification, schedule integration and risk mitigation for capital and development works.
  • Generate and maintain detailed mine plans and production schedules in mine planning software (Deswik/Vulcan/Surpac), integrating geology, geotechnical inputs and operational constraints to optimize tonnage, grade and cost outcomes.
  • Implement and enforce Safe Work Procedures (SWPs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and the site Safety Management System (SMS); lead incident investigations, root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
  • Lead workforce training, competency development and mentoring for underground crews and contractors in areas such as ground support installation, shotfiring safety, emergency response and confined space entry.
  • Manage ground support procurement, stock control and installation quality assurance; conduct inspections to ensure stock and installed systems meet specifications and performance expectations.
  • Lead cross-functional change initiatives to increase production efficiency and reduce operating costs, including mechanization upgrades, process improvements and digital monitoring/automation initiatives.
  • Supervise dewatering and water management strategies underground including sump design, pump selection, piping networks and contingency planning for flooding and inflows.
  • Administer contractor management, scopes of work, performance monitoring and compliance audits for underground services (shotfirers, bolters, raiseboring crews, ventilation specialists).
  • Conduct technical risk assessments and develop mine-specific risk registers covering strata failure, seismicity, water inflows, gas hazards, and haulage/traffic interfaces; propose mitigation and contingency measures.
  • Oversee quality control for ore grade control and reconciliation processes underground; liaise with geology and sampling teams to ensure accurate sampling, logging and early detection of ore-waste boundaries.
  • Champion occupational health programs including dust suppression, noise control, and hazardous substance management; collaborate with occupational hygienists to implement monitoring and controls.
  • Prepare and present technical reports, operational summaries and KPI dashboards to site leadership, corporate teams and regulatory authorities; maintain accurate documentation for statutory compliance.
  • Implement and maintain emergency response and mine rescue readiness programs including drills, equipment maintenance, and collaboration with external emergency services.
  • Evaluate and recommend capital projects and equipment investments (bolters, LHDs, raiseborers, conveyors, fans) supported by life-of-mine cost models and production benefit analyses.
  • Drive continuous improvement by leading post-job reviews, lessons learned workshops and implementing standard work and reliability-centered maintenance practices to improve safety, productivity and cost per tonne.
  • Manage interfaces with surface operations (processing, tailings, stockpiles), environmental teams and community stakeholders to ensure underground operations align with broader site objectives and regulatory commitments.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc technical requests from senior leadership related to underground capacity, cost modelling and production forecasting.
  • Collaborate with geology and resource modelling teams to refine mineable shapes and ensure practical implementation of geological models in underground layouts.
  • Assist in developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, work instructions and technical standards for underground activities.
  • Contribute to the digital transformation of underground operations by advising on sensor networks, telematics for fleet, real-time monitoring dashboards and data quality standards.
  • Facilitate periodic external audits and inspections from regulators and insurers; coordinate action plans arising from audit findings.
  • Participate in budgeting and cost control cycles for underground departments, providing inputs on operational expenditure and capital forecasts.
  • Engage with community and indigenous stakeholders as required on underground activity impacts, local employment plans and training initiatives.
  • Support recruitment and onboarding of technical and operational underground staff, including interview panels and competency assessments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Underground mine design and stope development (Deswik, Vulcan, Surpac experience preferred)
  • Ground control and rock mechanics (design of rockbolt, mesh, shotcrete and support systems)
  • Ventilation engineering and mine airflow modelling (Vnet, Ventsim or equivalent)
  • Drill & blast design, explosive handling and blast performance optimisation
  • Geotechnical monitoring instrumentation and data interpretation (extensometers, stress meters, seismic monitoring)
  • Shaft sinking, raiseboring and underground civil works oversight
  • Ore handling systems & underground materials handling (LHDs, conveyors, crushers)
  • Dewatering system design and operation for underground mines
  • Mine safety legislation and compliance (MSHA, SANS, DOL regulations or regional equivalents)
  • Mine planning and scheduling tools, reserve reconciliation and grade control processes
  • Emergency response planning and mine rescue coordination
  • Contract and contractor management for underground services and capital projects
  • Proficiency with AutoCAD, MS Office (Excel modeling, PowerPoint reporting) and SAP/EAM systems
  • Data-driven decision making and use of KPIs/operational dashboards
  • Familiarity with explosives licensing and safe storage regulations

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership with ability to motivate crews and contractors in a high-risk environment
  • Clear and concise communicator capable of presenting technical content to non-technical stakeholders
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and structured decision-making under pressure
  • Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration
  • Coaching and mentoring to develop team capabilities
  • Strong safety culture champion and behavioral safety influencer
  • Analytical mindset with attention to detail and data integrity
  • Adaptability to changing underground conditions and operational priorities
  • Time management and prioritisation of competing tasks
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills for contractor and crew interactions

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) or Diploma in Mining Technology with significant underground experience; OR significant demonstrated experience in underground operations with relevant certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) or Geological Engineering; Master’s in Mining Engineering, Rock Mechanics or Geotechnical Engineering preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mining Engineering
  • Geological / Geotechnical Engineering
  • Mechanical / Civil Engineering (with underground experience)
  • Metallurgical Engineering (operational interface)
  • Mining Technology / Mine Surveying

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–15+ years of progressive underground mining experience, including hands-on operational and technical roles.

Preferred: 8+ years’ experience in underground operations with demonstrated expertise in ground control, ventilation, drill & blast and team leadership; prior experience with mechanized mining methods, raiseboring/shaft projects and mine planning software is highly desirable.

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