Underground Senior Engineer

Papua New Guinea 

New Porgera Limited (NPL) is a company incorporated in Papua New Guinea, and operates the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga Province on behalf of the Porgera Joint Venture partners. The Porgera Gold Mine employs over 2,500 Papua New Guineans, and over the life of the mine it has contributed approximately 10% of Papua New Guinea’s total annual exports. NPL offers experienced mining professionals the opportunity to play an important role in the training and development of our national workforce. The role will not only challenge your skills but can be very rewarding. 

Role Overview:

As a Senior Underground Engineer at the Porgera Operations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe and efficient execution of drilling and blasting activities in our underground gold mine. Your expertise will be critical in optimizing operational processes, enhancing safety protocols, and maximizing ore recovery.

Key Deliverables:

• Drill and Blast Design: Develop detailed drill and blast designs tailored to specific geological conditions, ore characteristics, and mine layouts. Optimize fragmentation, minimize dilution, and control ground vibration and flyrock to enhance operational efficiency.
• Safety Procedures and Compliance: Establish and enforce strict safety protocols and procedures to mitigate risks associated with drilling and blasting activities underground. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and best practices to safeguard personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.
• Operational Planning and Optimization: Plan and coordinate drill and blast schedules in collaboration with mine planning, production, and geology teams. Maximize ore recovery and minimize operational disruptions by monitoring performance metrics and identifying opportunities for process optimization.
• Equipment Selection and Maintenance: Evaluate and select appropriate drilling and blasting equipment, tools, and technologies. Develop maintenance schedules and procedures to ensure reliable operation, minimizing downtime, and maximizing productivity.
• Technical Support and Training: Provide technical guidance, support, and training to junior engineers, operators, and technicians. Share expertise on best practices, safety protocols, and troubleshooting techniques to enhance team competency and performance.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree in Mining Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in underground drill and blast engineering.
• Practical experience in a large underground gold mine.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in environments similar to Porgera JV.
• Experience with an explosives supply company would be advantageous.

Why Barrick Gold:

• Pioneering Opportunity: You will be based at the Porgera site. Be at the forefront of a start-up mine site. This offers a unique opportunity for complete autonomy and the ability to shape the department as you see fit.
• Remuneration & Benefits: A very good remuneration structure accompanies this position within the 3:2 family-friendly roster.
• Safety Culture: Join a company that prioritizes safety, and lead a team towards best-in-class safety practices.
• Upskilling Impact: Contribute to the development of a highly capable national workforce, making a lasting impact on the industry.