Mine Manager Advisor

About Us

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).

The Tasiast mine is an open-pit operation in northwestern Mauritania located within an extensive gold system that is largely underexplored. The mine is proceeding with an expansion that is expected to increase production and lower operating costs. Tasiast is a cornerstone asset in Kinross’ portfolio, with a long mine life a large mineral reserve base.

As one of the largest private employers in Mauritania, Tasiast invests heavily in training and career development opportunities and has many important programs in place to support its host communities. For example, since 2014, Tasiast’s mobile clinic, which provides free medical support to isolated communities, has provided over 32,000 consultations.   

Job Description

To lead the execution of the strategy for mine operations (production, technical and maintenance) and to ensure alignment with the organization’s overall development strategy in support of the Mine Manager. Formulate short and long term business plans for the mine ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall strategy. To manage the human, financial, and operational resources of mine operations. To ensure continued growth of mine operations, to maximize operational and employee efficiencies, safety, and profitability and to cultivate exceptional stakeholder and employee satisfaction.

Job Responsibilities

1.

To execute operational strategies for mine operations and expansion and support the Mine Manager. To work with the Projects group to develop and review mine plan to assure feasibility of production goals:

• Develops and executes short and intermediate-term strategies that support the growth of mine operations; ensures strategies are aligned with the organization’s overall strategy. Incorporates the Kinross Way into operational practices.
• Leads mine operations, and incorporates strategies to enhance current mine operations practices and performance. 
• Sets priorities and allocates resources to facilitate targeted production goals.
• Develops systems and measures that appropriately assesses performance in mine operations and reviews progress to ensure achievement of targets.
• Formulates the annual operating and capital budgets for mine operations, consistent with Kinross’ established financial guidelines and business planning process. Maintains budgetary goals and compliance.
• Formulates systems to monitor equipment availability and set production priorities based on availability to set priorities for equipment repair.
• Accountable for the overall management of equipment and human resources in the mine and maintenance departments.
• Maintains overall control in the mine by coordinating operations, production, and maintenance efforts.
• Achieves short-range and long-range mine plans with engineering and mobile maintenance support.
• Establishes production levels and mobile maintenance and repair priorities for equipment.
• Evaluates and selects equipment and supplies.

2.

To develop and implement business practices and policies within mine operations that align with the organization’s overall strategy:

• Implements processes, policies, systems, and practices within mine operations that maximize operational efficiencies and competitive advantage.
• Acts as a change agent and project sponsor for key initiatives; models organizational values, sets the cultural tone, and prioritizes business goals.
• Collaborates with senior management to identify and analyze business requirements and the implications for the team; identifies gaps and implements agreed upon solutions.
• Monitors and reports on the achievement of targets and revises strategies as needed.
• Assists in the formation of company policy.
• Advises and cooperates with all other departments affected by changes in mine operations and assists in overall mine management through interaction with other departments.
• Establishes safety and training standards with assistance from the safety department.
• Evaluates operation policies and directives to ensure consistency with safe operating procedures.
   

3.

Prioritize schedule needs for mining and maintenance activities to assure that production goals are met:  

• Utilizes approved methods to assess scheduling needs to accurately estimate FTE necessities.
• Effectively interfaces with inter and intradepartmental contacts to ensure all aspects of production in place.
• Utilizes independent judgement to troubleshoot and resolve issues surrounding unexpected mine plan changes.
• Assesses and schedules mining activities to maintain proper ore and waste movement.  
• Utilizes predictive and preventative maintenance methodology to ensure continuous operation of equipment; minimize periods of non-operation.

4.

To develop and implement training policies and procedures directed toward the development and utilization of mine employees. To lead and manage a team responsible for executing mine operations strategies:

• Implements processes, policies, systems, and practices within mine operations that maximize individual and team competencies.
• Ensures that local employees are properly trained and developed.
• Seeks advisement from Human Resources to create development plans for direct reports; seeks out opportunities that are high value and high impact.
• Actively engages in ongoing performance management of employees to develop core competencies and achieve goals for individuals, department and sites.
• Identifies strategies and key performance goals and acts as an advisor to direct reports; works to overcome challenges and barriers and minimize risk.
• Sets performance targets and measures, monitors and manages overall performance of the function and direct reports; motivates employees to seek high performance.
• Builds the capabilities of the team to enhance the mine operation’s ability to achieve financial and operating strategies; hires appropriately, leverages the talents of the operation, and takes corrective action where necessary.
• Ensures there is a comprehensive and effective succession management strategy in place for the operation; identifies succession role requirements and high potential talent and actively develops key talent.

Education and Experience

• BSc in Mine Engineering preferred.
• Additional specialized education of up to 4 years including masters level degree or equivalent relevant.
• Formal professional designation in appropriate area of expertise as applicable.
• 10 or more years of related work experience, with experience working in remote locations on a rotational schedule.
• Experience managing diverse employees (language, cultural, religious, etc.).
• Experience leading teams in a related environment.

Skills

• Must possess knowledge of engineering techniques as they apply to ore body evaluation and mine operations.
• Must possess general knowledge of mining and the integration of the mining, milling, and maintenance functions.
• Basic working knowledge and skills with a PC utilizing word processing and spreadsheet programs.

Core Competencies

• Business Leadership – Develops operational strategies that demonstrate a deep understanding of resource extraction operations, finance, the mining industry, and competitive drivers. Determines and tracks key metrics.
• Change Leadership – Uses business and industry acumen to forecast the need for change. Proactively manages the change process through General Managers across all mine sites. Anticipates resistance to change and develops strategies to overcome it.
• Sustainability – Proactively ensures operations initiatives consider the impact on the environment and communities, and fosters a work environment where safety is a top priority.
• Execution / Work Management – Fosters a disciplined drive for results. Sets clear timelines for the development of material and holds operational and financial leaders accountable for performance against these targets.
• Continuous Improvement – Fosters a culture of continuous improvement to maximize production and results, and operational effectiveness in compliance with all applicable regulations. Inspires operational leaders to constantly look for ways to improve operations.
• Relationship Building – Builds relationships with internal stakeholder and across multiple functions, and external stakeholders and across multiple cultures. Is trusted and has influence. Uses influence to support the role and achieve results. Is well-respected and known for a commitment to organization.
   

Sustainability Expectations

Develops policies and procedures relating to safety, the environment, and individual and organizational development. Ensures that direct reports and respective work areas are in compliance with Health and Safety policies and regulations. Ensures direct reports have the necessary training, skills, knowledge, and tools to do their jobs safely. Provides support to all areas on issues that jointly involve production and safety. Observes operations to detect violation of safety regulations and compile safety and production records. Assists in accident and incident investigations and ensures that recommendations are implemented by agreed upon dates.