Geotechnical Engineer – Underground Mining (Zambia)

• Develop, implement, and maintain the mine Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP).
• Assess ground conditions and provide recommendations for ground support systems.
• Conduct geotechnical inspections of underground workings and identify potential hazards.
• Investigate ground falls, rockburst events, and geotechnical incidents.
• Ensure compliance with mining regulations, company standards, and industry best practices.

Geotechnical Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct rock mass characterization using recognized classification systems (RMR, Q-System, GSI, MRMR).
• Log and interpret geotechnical drill core.
• Analyze structural geology data, including faults, joints, shears, and discontinuities.
• Maintain geotechnical databases and monitoring records.
• Develop geotechnical models to support mine design.

Mine Design Support

• Provide input into stope, pillar, crown pillar, and rib pillar design.
• Evaluate excavation stability for declines, shafts, ramps, ore drives, and crosscuts.
• Review and optimize mine layouts based on geotechnical constraints.
• Support long-term and short-term mine planning activities.
• Conduct stability analyses using numerical modeling and empirical methods.

Ground Support Design

• Design and specify ground support systems, including:
  • Rock bolts
  • Cable bolts
  • Shotcrete
  • Mesh
  • Steel sets
  • Dynamic support systems
• Monitor support performance and recommend improvements where required.
• Develop ground support standards and quality assurance programs.

Geotechnical Monitoring

• Establish and manage monitoring programs using:
  • Extensometers
  • Convergence monitoring
  • Stress cells
  • Prism monitoring
  • Microseismic systems
  • LiDAR and laser scanning technologies
• Interpret monitoring data and communicate risks to operations.
• Develop trigger action response plans (TARPs) for geotechnical hazards.

Risk Assessment and Safety

• Conduct geotechnical risk assessments and hazard identification studies.
• Participate in mine risk management processes.
• Develop controls to mitigate geotechnical risks.
• Support emergency response planning relating to ground instability.
• Promote a strong safety culture throughout the operation.

Technical Reporting

• Prepare geotechnical reports, risk assessments, and technical memoranda.
• Present geotechnical findings and recommendations to management.
• Contribute to technical studies, feasibility studies, and life-of-mine planning.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in Rock Mechanics or Geotechnical Engineering preferred.

Professional Registration

• Professional registration with a recognized engineering body (ECSA, P.Eng., CPEng, or equivalent) preferred.

Experience:

Essential

• 3–10 years of underground mining geotechnical experience.
• Experience in underground hard-rock mining, preferably copper operations.
• Practical experience in rock mechanics and ground support design.
• Experience in geotechnical hazard management and risk assessment.

 
Preferred

• Experience with deep-level underground mining.
• Experience with block caving, sublevel open stoping, cut-and-fill, or longhole stoping methods.
• Exposure to large-scale underground copper mining operations.

Technical Skills:

• Rock mass classification and characterization.
• Underground excavation stability assessment.
• Ground support design and optimization.
• Numerical modeling software such as:
  • RS2
  • RS3
  • FLAC3D
  • Map3D
  • Examine3D
• Geotechnical monitoring systems and data interpretation.
• Structural geology interpretation.
• Statistical analysis and data management.
• Mine design software familiarity (Deswik, Vulcan, Datamine, MineSight) advantageous.