Senior Tailings Engineer
Date: Apr 22, 2024
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Company: Kinross Gold Corporation
Located approximately 26 miles from the City of Fairbanks, Fort Knox is a centre of excellence for the Company as one of the few cold weather heap leach facilities in the world. Fort Knox celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2021, and has produced over 8.5 million ounces since it began operation. In 2020, Kinross acquired Manh Choh – a project expected to commence production in 2024 and process ore at Fort Knox.
Fort Knox prioritizes being a strong contributor to the State and local communities, and since 2001, has helped support more than 300 community partners and has contributed more than US$25 million to the Alaska Mental Health Trust.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis as protected by applicable state, federal and/or local law.
Fort Knox is not a camp mine
Job Description
Responsible for providing Tailings Engineering support to the department to ensure that the mine functions effectively and safely with minimal impacts to the business. Implement and improve Tailings management programs to meet or exceed industry standards. Responsible for a wide range of functions ranging from very simple to very complex, including, but not limited to: deposition planning, water inventory tracking, reviewing technical reports, coordinating facility inspections, quarterly reporting, development of Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs). To be familiar with and understand the principles of the environment policy and also to maintain and support procedures and work practices aimed at preventing accidents or injuries.
Job Responsibilities
1. Implementation of the tailings management system for both the Valley Fill and Pit Bottom Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs).
2. Develop TSF deposition and water management plans which align with the Life of Mine (LOM) Ore processing plan and includes sufficient detail to ensure executability.
3. Work in conjunction with the Ore Processing, Water Treatment, and Mine Engineering teams to develop action plans to execute the deposition plan and resolve plan variances.
4. Interpretation of monitoring data and effective communication of conclusions or results
5. Verification that data collection and management procedures are being appropriately applied.
6. Collaborate with the Environmental team on water balance forecasts to ensure compliance with internal guidelines and requirements from regulatory authorities.
7. Review performance and make recommendations for operational changes to ensure the Valley Fill seepage collection system is effective.
8. Prepare quarterly reports summarizing facility performance and complete reconciliation tasks to ensure continuity of assumptions used in TSF planning.
9. Lead Tailings Steering Committee meetings and present KPIs to foster visibility and accountability between departments and senior leadership.
10. Liaise with the Engineer of Record (EOR) on all projects and review technical documentation from EOR and other consultants.
11. Lead and/or participate in facility inspections.
12. Assist with implementation and propose initiatives to optimize existing TSF processes.
13. Keep current on new developments in the tailings and mine waste management fields that might improve operational performance.
14. Maintain accurate records and files.
15. Consistent exercise of discretion and judgment in job performance.
16. Punctuality and regular attendance is required.
17. Meet or exceed established performance expectations set by management.
18. Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state.
19. Fill in for Chief Geotechnical Engineer as needed.
20. Perform other duties as required.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in either Civil, Mining, Geological Engineering, or related engineering field is required.
- Candidates must have mining industry experience working or consulting on the management and operations of tailings storage facilities, prefer a minimum of 8 years’ experience.
Skills
- Must have current working knowledge of all applicable regulations: Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), ICMM, MAC, CDA, etc. Experience with Alaska Department of Natural Resources Dam Safety (ADNR-DS) preferred.
- Experience with related engineering software (AutoCAD/Civil 3D, ArcGIS, GoldSim, MineSight, Pipeflow etc.) is an asset.
- Practical experience with advanced geotechnical monitoring instruments and techniques is preferred.
- Must have a thorough working knowledge and skill using a P.C. utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs.
- Must be a self-starter with the ability to work with others in a team environment.
- Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Effective organizational and time management skills.
- Strong verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.
- Ability to function within the qualifications outlined in the attached physical demands sheets.
Reporting Relationships
This position reports to the Chief Geotechnical Engineer
Legislative Requirements
Language Requirements
Travel Requirements
Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).
