Principal Engineer - Mine Planning

Who We Are

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 four core values of Putting People First, Outstanding Corporate Citizenship, High Performance Culture, and Rigorous Financial Discipline. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. 
 

Mining responsibly is a priority for Kinross, and we foster a culture that makes responsible mining and operational success inseparable. In 2021, Kinross committed to a greenhouse gas reduction action plan as part of its Climate Change strategy, reached approximately 1 million beneficiaries through its community programs, and recycled 80% of the water used at our sites. We also achieved record high levels of local employment, with 99% of total workforce from within host countries, and advanced inclusion and diversity targets, including instituting a Global Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council. 
Eager to know more about us? Visit Home - Kinross Gold Corporation

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

1. To use advanced-level knowledge to manage mine planning activities

• Develops and reviews mine plans (designing, scheduling and cost estimates) of life of mine plans for operating mines or projects
• Performs high-level mine plan strategic life-of-mine scenarios that optimize NPV and safe operations in a limited timeline within acceptable accuracy without missing the details
• Abilities to think big picture and out of the box to explore opportunities in mining projects
• Performs risk analysis and mitigation plans for mining projects
• Leads technical projects including defining and achieving project goals, anticipating and minimizing risks, managing resources, and delegating tasks
• Evaluates costs, engineering and mine planning data
• Acts as a change agent for areas related to mine engineering/planning, including assessing readiness to engage in change efforts and designing and implementing change strategies
• Foresees and removes barriers to project success and escalates major issues to project sponsors
• Becomes knowledgeable in Xeras mine planning software and coordinates the preparation of standardized cash flow spreadsheets for the LOM plans
• Assist in auditing and updating preliminary LOM plans
• Supports corporate scoping, PFS and feasibility study efforts as well as technical due diligence including preparation of open pit and/or potentially underground mine designs, costs and schedules.
• Provides technical support for all Kinross mines and various other Corporate support departments
• Evaluates, designs, and implements procedures related to mine planning
• As part of a team, prepares engineering studies aiding resource estimates for life of mine planning purposes
• Appraise mining methods, processing methods, operating costs, capital spending, production schedules, dilution and ore loss estimates
• Identify key engineering and mining success factors and issues that could impact the economic viability of new ventures under consideration
• Participates in the technical audits at Kinross’ operations and ensures best practices are maintained
• Provides direction and leadership to both internal staff and external consultants or contractors engaged in providing technical support activities to the Company
• Developing and administering professional services contracts with consultants

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2. To advise the management group on mine planning activities

• Prepares business cases and reports regarding projects, potential acquisitions / divestments  and other initiatives; presents recommendations and status updates to key stakeholders
• Prepares financial spreadsheets, summarizes information and communicates results to key leaders
• Reviews best practices and the competitive landscape and recommends continuous improvement efforts in mining engineering
• Influences leaders and key stakeholders to buy into change efforts that will result in sustained competitive advantage
• Interface with senior management and other departments (operations, project managers, human resources, accounting and information systems) to ensure effective identification and communication of operations and project information that could impact the Company’s business results.

Education and Experience

• Degree in Mining Engineering
• Professional Engineer designation or ability to obtain
• Personal commitment to safety and strong understanding of risk analysis and management.
• Working understanding of resource estimation process from drill-hole to block model
• Strong understanding of NI 43-101, JORC and SK 1300 technical reports.
• Strong understanding of open-pit mining operations, particularly as it relates to realistic parameters for mine design and mine plan optimization (mining equipment, mine services, processing, tailings, infrastructure)
• Strong understanding of links between mine plan and key cost drivers including equipment selection, operating cost estimates, and capital cost estimates
• Strong understanding of spreadsheet based cash flow analysis for mining operations
• Strong communication, technical reporting, and presentation skills with ability to tailor communications to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Team player with good listening skills and ability to drive towards cooperative solutions
• Expert and proven ability to iterate mine designs and mine plans using mining software packages
• Demonstrated ability to think ‘big picture’ and drive value optimization of a mining operation
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a short term planning or operations role
• Minimum of 2 years of long term planning experience at a site or consultant
• Minimum of 4 years on-site experience in technical services or operations roles
• Minimum of 8 years total experience in the mining industry, particularly with open-pit operations 
• A willingness to travel both domestically and internationally (approximately 30%)