Engineer - Mine

HECLA MINING CO.•Juneau, AK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mine Engineer, under the direction of the Chief Engineer, performs short term mine production planning and scheduling, development and infrastructure design, mine ventilation design, ground control design, surveying, production quantity calculations and month end mine production reporting. This role involves training and working as a full-time mine surveyor for a period before transitioning to full-time engineering duties. The engineer will be responsible for various surveying tasks, including measuring underground features, collecting as-built survey data, processing survey data using specialized software, delineating boundaries, and preparing maps and plans. They will also perform surface surveys of facilities and boundaries. In engineering, the role includes short-range mine planning, design of drifts, stopes, and backfill, scheduling, reconciliation, and coordination with other departments. The engineer will oversee projects, assist with budgets and cost estimations, track costs, and work with mine services like power, ventilation, and water. They will also be involved in ground control design, optimizing explosives utilization, and ensuring technical deliverables meet expectations. The position requires planning and coordinating surveys, tests, and investigations, collecting and interpreting data, and presenting findings. Applying standard engineering techniques, developing a working knowledge of operational issues, and providing engineering support are key. Adherence to MSHA, environmental rules, SOPs, and company policies is mandatory, along with participating in safety and environmental activities and leading by example.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university in mine engineering or other relevant technical discipline.
Experience in mining, metallurgy or mineral processing industry or similar relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
Prior experience in mining engineering preferred.
Organizational/planning skills will be necessary to organize, schedule and prioritize work activities to manage time effectively and ensure timely completion of projects, programs, and objectives and that the same satisfy operational objectives.
Analytical and statistical skills are needed to evaluate opportunities for process improvement or optimization, process or quality trends.
Computer skills include proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, & MS Project) and at minimum basic skills with AutoCAD.
Interpersonal skills are necessary to facilitate teamwork while working with internal and external contacts.
Self-motivation and initiative are necessary to ensure that the work progresses independent of supervision. Being a self-starter is essential.
Communications skills are necessary to ensure excellence in verbal and written communications, and effectively interact with associates at all levels of the organization as well as external contacts.
Administrative skills are required to manage paperwork, meet reporting requirements, and oversee various systems.
Detail-orientation and ability to multi-task.
Planning skills are needed to ensure the timely completion of programs and objectives.
Financial skills are necessary to explain variances, evaluate projects and prioritize allocation of resources.
Knowledge of safety, health and environmental methods, rules, regulations and procedures, and related behavioral competencies.
Knowledge of developing technology, preferably specific knowledge of the mineral/metals business.
Familiar with Deswik, AutoCAD, and spreadsheet programs.

Nice To Haves

Formal training for AutoCAD or Civil3D software is a plus.

Responsibilities

Perform short term mine production planning and scheduling.
Design development and infrastructure.
Design mine ventilation.
Design ground control.
Perform surveying.
Calculate production quantities.
Report month end mine production.
Train and work as a full-time mine surveyor for a certain period.
Transition to perform full-time engineering duties.
Meet with mine engineers, geologists and operators to determine scope of needed survey.
Responsible for quality of survey and associated documents (maps, reports, survey records).
Measure underground features such as detail, line and grade using Leica total station & Nomad data collectors.
Collect detail as-built survey using robotic total station (MS50) with point cloud survey.
Process survey using Deswik software and AutoCAD software, and pointclouds using Leica Infinity and Leica Cyclone.
Delineate boundaries; prepare maps and as-built plans using 2D, 3D and other computer-based programs.
Perform surface survey of Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF), monitoring wells, permit/claim boundaries, and other surface facilities as needed.
Perform short-range mine planning including development design; drift & fill and long-hole stope design; backfill design; scheduling development, production, and backfill; surveying; reconciliation of the schedule and plan with actual; and coordination with long-range mine planning, geology, survey, and mine operations.
Oversee projects, assist in budget preparation and cost estimations, and track costs.
Work with mine services including power, ventilation, compressed air, and water.
Assist with design and implementation of ground control and related ground support engineering including various rock bolting methods and shotcrete.
Optimize techniques for explosives utilization and storage.
Ensure technical deliverables are provided to customers within time and quality expectations.
Plan, organize, and coordinate surveys, tests, or investigations.
Collect data points, interpret results, and prepare recommendations.
Present executive summaries and cost estimates to senior staff.
Apply standard engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria in making minor adaptations and modifications to established engineering plans or systems.
Develop and maintain a detailed working knowledge of the mine’s operational issues and apply sound engineering practices to resolve them.
Provide engineering support and guidance.
Follow and understand MSHA rules and regulations, environmental rules and regulations, SOP and work area instructions.
Participate in safety and environmental activities.
Lead by example by adhering to rules and regulations, and ensuring compliance to rules and regulations established by the Lucky Friday.
Work and communicate with other members of the work team.
Comply with all company policies and procedures.
Comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Conducts activities and work in an environmentally responsible manner.
Is aware of procedures to minimize impacts to the environment.