Mine Engineer

Lhoist • Crab Orchard, TN

1d

About The Position

The Mine Engineer provides technical support to the mining operation, working closely with the mine supervisor and mine manager. The role covers mine surveying and mapping, mine planning, capital projects, ground control, ventilation, basic mine construction, quality assurance, and geologic data collection and analysis. It also monitors ground support conditions and communicates issues or trends to the mining team. The position supports quality control and geologic records and works with the quality department to help ensure acceptable kiln feed. It also supports the Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager with data, permitting, and safety programs for Lhoist and contractors as needed. The Mine Engineer participates in Crab Orchard’s Mine Rescue Team and serves as a step-up leader when needed to direct mining employees or contractors.

The role includes underground and surface surveying, quality sampling, analysis of quality and thickness trends, mine-face profiling, short- and long-term mine planning, blast-pattern design and records, ventilation surveys, roof and ground-support monitoring, and maintaining mine production and mapping records. The engineer assists mine management in adapting plans to daily operations and supports mine supply tracking and procurement. When covering for the supervisor or manager, the employee provides direction to hourly employees consistent with the mine manager’s instructions.

The position requires work in both an office and mining-process environment, with the physical ability to access plant and mine locations, including heights, confined spaces, tunnels, and areas reached by ladders or stairs. Work may involve severe weather, extreme temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, vibration, oils, and uneven surfaces. The employee may need to travel to other locations up to 15% of the time and respond to irregular work demands, including any shift, on-call work, overtime, or seven days a week when needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in geology, mining, or a related engineering or technical field, and/or equivalent proven work experience in the field.
• At least 1–3 years of progressive technical responsibility in an underground mining environment.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Solid written, oral, and presentation skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Physically and emotionally able to work in above-ground and/or underground mine environments.
• Able to respond to irregular work demands and work any shift, on call, overtime, or seven days a week if needed.
• Willing to perform hands-on work and other assigned duties to help the team succeed.
• Able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects while meeting deadlines.
• Strong sense of urgency in meeting customer needs and ability to work independently to meet deadlines.
• Good computer skills, including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Physically able to perform assigned work and access all plant locations, including heights up to 120 feet, confined spaces, tunnels, and areas accessed by ladders or stairs.
• Able to tolerate severe weather and exposure to extreme heat and cold, noise, dust, fumes, metallic particles, vibration, oils, and uneven surfaces.
• Able to perform standing, walking, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing, and sitting as required.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Able to travel up to 15% as needed to other locations.
• Must have a telephone and be receptive to call-out.

Nice To Haves

• BS or MS in Mining Engineering or Geology.
• Three to five years of previous underground and/or above-ground mining and blasting experience.
• Previous proven internship experience is highly desired.
• Experience with, or high aptitude for learning, CAD-based computer software.
• Familiarity with, or high aptitude for learning, Total Station survey equipment.
• Technical competence in the field.

Responsibilities

• Collect quality-control samples from underground mine benches and underground faces, including RKI data.
• Review and evaluate quality data to verify horizon control and maintain appropriate databases.
• Analyze quality and thickness trends and assess their impact on future horizon control.
• Work with the quality department on sampling, analysis, and troubleshooting to help ensure acceptable kiln feed.
• Complete, record, and maintain the mine-face profiling schedule.
• Work with the mine manager on quality and horizon control, mine-plan development and adherence, and short- and long-term mine plans.
• Coordinate with the corporate geologist and regional mine engineer to align mine plans with long-term reserve life and plans.
• Communicate with the corporate geologist and mine planner to ensure plans meet operating requirements and align with the long-term reserve plan; prepare for and participate in the Mine R&R review.
• Work with the geologist to maintain adequate ore-body definition and adapt the mine plan to geology.
• Ensure mine plans support high standards for mining-crew health and safety, and help management and operations staff adapt plans to day-to-day activities.
• Support mine-supply inventory and procurement by tracking critical consumables, procuring supplies, and evaluating and paying invoices.
• Actively participate in the location’s Mine Rescue Team.
• Survey and track quality-control data to define ore-zone contact limits in pits and improve ore recovery.
• Design, survey, and record blast-pattern layouts; maintain bench-by-bench AutoCAD records for future reference and adjacent pattern layouts.
• Complete weekly surveys of mine workings and install alignment pins for production crews as needed.
• Update and distribute mine maps weekly.
• Prepare short-term plans to meet budget targets and remain within the long-term plan; develop weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual mine and waste-storage plans.
• Serve as step-up supervisor or manager when needed, including during back shifts and vacations, and direct hourly employees in line with the mine manager’s direction.
• Record bore-scoping and roof-monitor results; perform bore scoping; install and record roof monitors; and conduct roof-bolt torque testing.
• Maintain mine roadway and escapeway markings.
• Create, schedule, and conduct monthly ground-support meetings.
• Maintain records of areas bore scoped, profiled, and roof monitored, as well as mine production database records.
• Conduct and report monthly ventilation surveys and update and distribute ventilation maps as required.
• Support the Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager with data collection, analysis, reporting, permitting, and safety-program development as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with an employer match and supplemental contribution based on years of service.
• Educational assistance for continued learning and professional development.
• Competitive compensation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level