VACANCY: Senior Engineer – Geotech and Hydrology

Date:  Mar 8, 2022Location:  

Brong-Ahafo Region, BA, GH (Ghana)

Newmont Mining Corporation is a leading global gold producer with key assets in Nevada, Peru, Australia, Ghana and Suriname.

Newmont’s Africa Operations holds two gold mining operations in Ghana: the Ahafo Mine located in the Brong-Ahafo region and the Akyem Mine located in the Eastern region. There is also near mine exploration and development focus in Ghana to annually replace gold reserves. Newmont Africa also has early-stage exploration programs in the African countries of Ethiopia and Morocco.

Our Africa operations employ approximately 5,900 employees and contractors, with the majority working at the Ahafo Mine. We offer an unparalleled blend of opportunity and career satisfaction with all the benefits you would expect from a global company. This, combined with our growth opportunities, makes Newmont a great company to work.

Our Akyem and Ahafo mines have made significant sustainable community development investments in our host communities. These include establishing Development Funds at our Akyem and Ahafo operational areas with each mine contributing US$1 per ounce of gold sold and 1% of net pre-tax annual profit into its community development fund.

The only gold company listed in the S&P 500 index, Newmont in 2007 became the first gold company selected to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Newmont’s industry leading performance is reflected through our Africa operations’ high standards in environmental management, health and safety for our workforce and creating value and opportunity for our employees, host communities and Newmont’s shareholders.

ABOUT THIS ROLE:

• To plan, design, schedule and budget for Geotechnical and Mine Dewatering systems at the Ahafo operations to provide dewatered and stable ground conditions ahead of mining activities.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

Geotechnical / Hydrological Technical Execution

• Develop technical approaches for hydrogeologic / hydrologic characterization of groundwater and / or surface water systems.
• Provide technical support for Mine Water Management and related projects.
• Research, budget and implement monitoring systems, including slope monitoring systems such as RADAR, Robotic Total Station (RTS) and Volumetric Wire Piezometer (VWPs).
• Implement effective slope displacement monitoring programs.
• Maintain oversight of geotechnical and hydrogeological monitoring programs, including groundwater and surface water elevations and their relationship to mine dewatering and pit slope stability.
• Oversee contractor management and field supervision of dewatering well drilling programs, horizontal depressurization drilling programs, piezometer and inclinometer installation and other technical construction projects.
• Monitor the dewatering well network to ensure efficient production and desired drawdown outcomes.
• Prepare technical reports detailing the outcome of constructed models.
• Present and explain water related studies and investigations to Regulators, if required.
• Provide recommendations on the optimum monitoring tools to use.

Geotechnical / Hydrological Planning and Modelling 

• Demonstrate adequate planning and leadership in the respective disciplines.
• Conduct geotechnical and hydrogeological planning, modeling and monitoring, including logging, mapping and rendering of results, utilizing specific software.
• Play an active role in the procurement of hydrogeological data for modeling purposes.
• Oversee contractor supervision modeling and interpretation.
• Manage both groundwater and surface water models, through careful prediction, simulation and construction.
• Deliver superior modelling outputs to enable the development of successful work designs commissioned by Senior Engineers.

Geotechnical/Hydrological Analyses and Implementations

• Conduct analyses and interpretations for application of parameters in the field and communicate findings timeously.
• Initiate Mine Engineering design analyses arising out of geotechnical and hydrological inputs into the short and long-term mine plans, as well as ongoing mining production.
• Assist with water related Environmental Site Assessments, including the design and implementation of drilling and monitoring programs and remedial activities.
• Conduct geotechnical and hydrogeological field investigations.

Health, Safety and Environment

• Align the Geotechnical and Hydrological functions with the Health, Safety, Environment and Social Responsibility requirements under Newmont Ghana’s Integrated Management System, Vision and Values.
• Deliver own prescribed outcomes and / or provide support services, by applying Newmont’s Health, Safety and Environment systems, policies and protocols.
• Accept personal responsibility for the health and safety of all Engineers under or assigned to his / her supervision.
• Meet mining objectives and conform to Newmont mining standards, geotechnical and operational physical standards to promote safe mining operations within legislative guidelines.
• Oversee compliance with all relevant legal, environmental and occupational health, safety and risk management standards and best practices.
• Ensure safe mining conditions are created for Highwall, Dump Development, TSF and WSD activities.
• Ensure that safety standards are adhered to.
• Plan, schedule and coordinate safety meetings.
• Attend monthly safety inspections and meetings.
• Accept personal responsibility for the health and safety of every employee under or assigned to his / her supervision.

Staff Supervision

• Lead a team of geotechnical and hydrology engineers to deliver geotechnical / hydrology guidance to assure the stability of dry pit walls / floors.
• Supervise allocated staff member(s) by:
  • developing geotechnical / hydrological engineers.
  • training, coaching, mentoring and developing direct reports, particularly in technical and leadership skills.
  • assisting with professional career planning and development of subordinates.
  • conducting performance appraisals.
  • disciplining poor performance or actions.
  • enhancing communication with staff through regular feedback, contact, meetings and briefings.

YOUR TRAINING, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE CHECKLIST :

Formal Qualification (including Professional Registrations):

• Bachelors’ degree in Geological / Civil Engineering / Hydrology.

Additional Knowledge:

• Rock Engineer’s Certificate of Competency from the inspectorate division of Minerals Commission, Ghana.
• Member of the Ghana Institute of Engineering.
• Member of the Ghana Institute of Geoscience.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 8 years’ working experience in an Open Pit Mining environment, with specialized focus on Geotechnical Engineering, Dewatering Systems and/or Hydrology, of which 3 – 4 years should have been in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience with MineSight.
• Experience with Geotechnical and Hydrological Modelling and Interpretation.

Technical Skills:

• Deep proficiency in software capabilities (CAD).
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced computer literacy skills – MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), MS Project. Advanced planning, organising and prioritising skills.

Behavioural Attributes:

• Analytical.
• Adaptable.
• Goal Oriented and Deadline Driven.
• Proactive and takes Initiative.
• Leading and Supervising.
• Strategic thinking.
• Multi-tasking.
• Safety Conscious.
• Team player.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representatives of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job:

• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Person will work in an office setting with regular visits to operational areas.
• Work Environment: The noise level in the field is not usually in excess of 85 decibels. Incumbent is occasionally exposed to noise, fumes, high temperatures, hazardous materials, sharp edges, dust, unpaved pathways, pinch-points, extreme vibration, excavators and drilling rigs, slippery surfaces.

Our business success comes from the accomplishments and well-being of our employees and contractors. Our goal is to build a workplace culture that fosters leaders and allows every person to thrive, contribute, and grow. We are committed to selecting and developing our employees, and to establishing a work environment where everyone can take an active part in reaching our strategic goals while feeling a sense of pride in working at Newmont.

Newmont seeks to recruit, hire, place and promote qualified applicants, meaning applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the position, without regard to personal characteristics such as gender, race, nationality, ethnic, social and indigenous origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

NOTE: Newmont does not ask for or require job applicants to pay money to apply or be considered for employment with the Company. In addition, Newmont does not ask potential job candidates to provide sensitive personal data without first submitting a job application through our secure, online portal, and only as requested for legitimate business purposes.  If you are asked to provide money or sensitive personal data through any other means, do not respond and please report this immediately to [email protected].