Senior Short-Term Planning Engineer

Copper World Inc•Sahuarita, AZ

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Short-Term Planning Superintendent, the Senior Short-Term Planning Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and implementing daily, weekly, and monthly mine plans that ensure a safe, efficient, and cost-effective extraction of ore and waste in Hudbay Copper World open-pit mining operation. This role focuses on translating long-term strategic goals into actionable operational plans, managing geological and geotechnical constraints, and collaborating closely with mine operations, processing, geology, and other technical teams to maximize production and achieve key performance indicators.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in mining engineering is required.
7+ years of proven experience in mine engineering in open pit operations, of which at least 2+ years as a short/medium term mine planning experience, preferably in a similar operation.
Mine Planning Software Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of specialized mine planning and optimization software (e.g., Hexagon MinePlan 3D, Deswik) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment capabilities, and operational processes.
Solid understanding of geological principles, geotechnical considerations, and their impact on mine planning.
Demonstrated ability to develop practical, safe, and cost-effective mine plans.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and manage multiple priorities.
Analytical Mindset: Ability to process complex technical and financial data to develop robust, defensible plans.
Strategic Thinking: Capability to look beyond immediate operational needs and plan aligned with the long-term operating strategy. The ability to generate innovative solutions, which continuously improve the performance of existing assets, products, services, or processes.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Teamwork: Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

A post-graduate degree is considered a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Develop detailed daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules (dig plans, drill and blast plans, haulage plans) that align with the overall mine strategy and budget.
Optimize short-term plans to maximize ore recovery, minimize dilution, optimize haulage routes, and ensure efficient equipment utilization (trucks, excavators/shovels, drills).
Incorporate geological models, geotechnical parameters, metallurgical recoveries, processing constraints, operating cost and survey data into short-term plans.
Generate practical, safe and achievable plans considering operational constraints, equipment availability, as well as Social, Environmental and Permitting regulations.
Interpret geological and assay data (blast hole assays, chip samples, trench samples) to create daily/weekly ore polygons and dig block boundaries.
Develop and update ore control STP models and block models based on incoming data.
Define precise ore and waste outlines (polygons) for excavation, ensuring accurate classification of material.
Minimize ore dilution and maximize ore recovery through effective boundary management.
Implement and manage ore control procedures, including sampling protocols, data management, material routing (Mill Feed / Stockpile /Construction/ Waste), and QA/QC processes for blast holes and other grade control samples.
Monitor and reconcile production including Mill feed grades against planned grades and geological models.
Management of Stockpiling.
Identify discrepancies in grade data, ensuring data integrity.
Communicate ore-related risks and opportunities to Geology, Operations and technical teams.
Monitor actual production performance against planned targets on a daily and weekly basis.
Identify variances, analyze root causes, and propose corrective actions to maintain plan compliance.
Prepare and present regular performance reports to management, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
Update and maintain relevant mine planning databases and systems.
Conduct detailed analysis of operational data to identify opportunities for improvement in productivity, cost, and safety.
Utilize mine planning software (e.g. Hexagon MinePlan, Deswik) to develop, evaluate, and optimize plans.
Develop and implement solutions to address operational challenges, geological complexities, and unforeseen site conditions.
Conduct scenario analysis to evaluate different planning options and their potential impact.
Ensure all planning activities adhere to company safety policies, environmental regulations, and relevant mining legislation.
Incorporate safety considerations into all mine designs and operational plans.
Actively promotes a strong safety culture within the team and across the operation.
Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers, sharing knowledge and best practices.
Contribute to the development of standardized procedures and workflows within the mine planning team.
Stay abreast of industry best practices and technological advancements in mine planning.