Backfill Engineer - AngloGold Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited, Obuasi Gold Mine is currently near completion of the redevelopment phase to become a modern, efficient and long-term profitable operation. The underground mining operation has been fully mechanized and designed to produce up to an average maximum of 5,000 t/day of ore mined.

We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated person to join our dedicated team as Backfill Engineer.

ROLE PURPOSE AND CONTEXT

To implement, monitor and co-ordinate the backfill requirements for the mine in line with the established mine plan

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Establish the necessary Backfill Engineering processes and practices for the redevelopment of the Obuasi Mine, including Operational Readiness
• Provide unequivocal Backfill Engineering planning data to enable the monthly updates of the rolling quarterly plan to be produced on time.
• Develop the quarterly Backfill Engineering cost centre budget to achieve the required targets for achieving annual business plans
• Deliver the work of the Backfill Engineering function within approved budget targets and specified timeframes, costs and related KPIs
• Demonstrate Safety Leadership and improve the Culture across the Backfill Engineering department regarding Safety, Health, Environmental and Sustainable Development
• Provide the resources and expertise to develop the team to capably and consistently deliver the annual budget, according to their role and level of authority
• Rigorously drive implementation of projects and nurture and sustain a culture of Accountability and Continuous Improvement within the Backfill Engineering team
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with Internal Stakeholders (Corporate, Group Planning & Technical, sister mines, etc.) and external Stakeholders (Regulatory Agencies and Authorities, Minerals Commission) to establish existing and changing societal and regulatory expectations and requirements

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification

• BSc. Mining / Civil Engineering Degree or equivalent

Experience 

• Three (3) years’ operational experience within an underground mining environment of which at least two (2) years is backfill systems based;
• Demonstrated experience with knowledge of fundamental underground backfill mechanics;
• Proficient in the use of Mining Software;
• Proficient in the management and control of underground backfill operations across a range of fill types;
• Excellent Communication Skills.

Technical Competencies

• Safety (Advanced Application)

  • Can identify and interpret safety risks and resolve emerging issues; and ensuring that appropriate focus and resources are available to achieve safety objectives.

  • Active participant in ensuring critical controls are in place and working.
• Mining Production Processes & Practices (Basic Application)
  • o Understands the mining processes and actively contributes in part to delivery of the expected outcome / service the mining processes deliver.
  • Has demonstrated the ability to apply technical skills and/or delivery of a service within one or more of the mining processes with minimal supervision.
  • Can identify potential problems and propose solutions for higher approval.
  • Directly responsible for delivering a production aspect of the plan.
  • Understands good underground production practices, management, support systems, and how each should interact to deliver targeted performance.
• Operational Management (Basic Application)
  • Understands the AGA system of ‘how we work’ and applies the basic elements.
  • Capable of managing and supervising small teams.
  • Able to provide performance assessments on others to their direct manager.
  • Understands the adjacent technical disciplines (geology, processing, engineering etc.) and participates in discussions with colleagues in these disciplines on areas of overlap and opportunity.
  • Uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities and identify cost-effective approaches
  • Understands financial reports and comprehends the relevance/impact to the total operation
  • Actively looks for ways to manage costs without impacting on planned outcomes
• Planning (Basic Application)
  • Competent in creating ventilation strategies to support a mining area or block.
  • Competent in developing an understanding of costs and revenue associated with a design to drive business outcomes.
  • Understanding of all ancillary detail of a plan.

• Contract Management (Basic Understanding)
  • Understands the core elements of the contract and its intended outcomes.
  • Identifies and monitors elements of the contract performance.
  • Makes suggestions for improvements or variations via their manager
• Project Management (Basic Application)
  • Understands AGA project management standards and has applied them in a minor project to conceptual level.
  • Ability to lead a minor project and interact with test work and engineering consultant service providers
• Innovation (Basic Application)
  • Identifies and proposes modifications to existing processes to deliver better performance and service

Other Competencies

• Creating a disciplined team to deliver the planned work to the defined standards.
• Managing oneself – taking ownership of one’s personal development.
• Building effective working relationships – the ability to build and maintain effective collateral and cross functional working relationship;
• Building trust & accountability – displaying high levels of integrity and honesty;
• Maximizing performance & achievement of results – solving problems and analyzing issues, driving for results