Mine Planning Engineer

About the role

A growing copper mining operation in Southern Utah is seeking a Mine Planning Engineer to play a key role in the safe, efficient, and profitable extraction of high-quality copper ore. This is an excellent opportunity for a mining engineer who enjoys being close to the operation, not just building plans from behind a desk, but working directly with geology, metallurgy, operations, drilling, blasting, ground control, contractors, and site leadership to make the mine plan successful in the field.

Responsibilities

• Designing pits, phases, pushbacks, and mining sequences
• Planning waste dumps, stockpiles, and ROM areas
• Working closely with geology and metallurgy to integrate models, ore characteristics, and recovery considerations
• Prioritizing ore quality and minimizing dilution
• Supporting mine-to-mill reconciliation
• Reviewing drill and blast designs, blast patterns, and wall-control practices
• Helping establish wall monitoring and pit stability controls
• Supporting mine operations in executing and improving the mine plan while helping drive safety, production, cost, and quality goals
• Directly working with operations teams to optimize daily and weekly mine performance
• Conducting mine efficiency studies related to production, equipment, blasting, recovery, and quality control
• Tracking KPIs and identifying opportunities for improvement
• Supporting grade control drilling and reconciliation efforts
• Aiding with dewatering strategy, haul road management, and contractor performance
• Conducting regular site inspections and audits
• Mentoring junior staff and supporting survey/design functions
• Using modern mine planning tools to evaluate scenarios, improve efficiency, and support better decision-making
• Evaluating scenarios, improving efficiency, and supporting better decision-making using mine planning software such as Surpac, Whittle, Talpac, Micromine, MineSched, or similar platforms
• Evaluating scenarios, improving efficiency, and supporting better decision-making using equipment and mining-method evaluations
• Evaluating scenarios, improving efficiency, and supporting better decision-making using blast assessment and fragmentation improvement
• Evaluating scenarios, improving efficiency, and supporting better decision-making using wall control and pit stability compliance
• Evaluating scenarios, improving efficiency, and supporting better decision-making using new technologies and methods that improve ore quality, recovery, and productivity
• Preparing clear, useful technical reports and presentations for management and stakeholders
• Leading mine planning projects from concept through implementation
• Preparation of monthly tons and grade reconciliation
• Preparation of feasibility studies
• Preparation of cost estimates
• Preparation of economic evaluations
• Preparation of capital and mine improvement projects
• Coordination with contractors, consultants, and regulatory bodies

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or related field
• 5+ years of mine planning experience
• Experience with copper, sulfide/oxide ore bodies, or similar complex ore environments
• Strong working knowledge of mine planning software
• Drill and blast exposure, including blast design, blast review, wall control, and fragmentation improvement
• Practical ground control experience
• Experience working with mine operations, contractors, and site leadership
• Ability to manage projects, analyze production data, and make sound recommendations
• P.E. / P.Eng certification or eligibility preferred

Why is this a great opportunity?

The Mine Planning Engineer will develop, optimize, and support mine plans ranging from short-term execution through long-term strategy. This role is central to improving ore quality, reducing dilution, increasing operational efficiency, and supporting the overall performance of the mine. The operation includes complex sulfide and oxide copper ore bodies, making this a strong technical opportunity for someone who enjoys problem-solving, planning, sequencing, reconciliation, and continuous improvement. This is a visible role with meaningful impact. The right person will advise site leadership on mine design, production timing, capital projects, productivity, cost performance, and ore-quality decisions.