Reporting to the Chief Mine Engineer, the Senior Geotechnical Engineer acts as a key technical resource, providing guidance and support for all geotechnical aspects (geotechnical risk management, hydrological and hydrogeological management) to ensure safe operating conditions for personnel and equipment in all active pits.
The company – about Endeavour
Endeavour is a leading global gold producer and the largest in West Africa with two mines in Côte d’Ivoire (Ity and Lafigué), two mines in Burkina Faso (Hounde and Mana) and the Sabodala-Massawa mine in Senegal. Endeavour has one of the most exciting organic growth track record and pipeline, with a strong portfolio of development exploration assets on the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across West Africa.
Endeavour is committed to principles of responsible mining and delivering sustainable value to its employees, stakeholders and the communities where it operates.
Key responsibilities
- Assist the Engineering section by reviewing the pit slope, waste dump slope, stockpile slope, and other mining infrastructure design.
- Provide guidance and support to the Site Geotechnical team on field mapping using Group standard log sheets and Rocscience tools.
- Perform geotechnical risk assessment and hazard identification and establish a proactive approach to geotechnical risk management.
- Use 2D/3D modelling software to perform geological/structural/geotechnical data analysis and simulations on slope stability concerns.
- Assist with continuous improvements in drilling and blast designs while ensuring they comply with mining regulations and site standards related to Geotechnical Wall Control blasting.
- Relay information with regard to ground control and other geotechnically related issues for operating personnel.
- Ensure a sound geotechnical model covering mine geology, geological structures, rock mass quality, and hydrogeology is built and updated through the collection, analysis, and interpretation of geotechnical data.
- Manage slope stability radar information and alarm settings according to geotechnical zones.
- Manage the communication protocol as described on the TARP.
- Develop and manage Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Ground Control Management Plans (GCMPs), and Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).
- Propose and manage Geotechnical and Hydrological drilling programs.
- Develop both in-pit and ex-pit mine dewatering plans. • Manage the Pit pumping/dewatering personnel and inform them of daily/routine water abstraction quantities.
- Exploit hydrological data from dewatering boreholes/observation wells and address groundwater status to all stakeholders.
- Issue purchase requests, prepare for Authorizations for Expenditure (AFEs) and scope details for contract documents.
- Identify the knowledge and skills needs of the Geotechnical unit and develop a staff training and development plan.
Position requirements
- Engineer’s Degree or master’s degree in mining or Geology.
- A minimum of six (06) years of working experience in mining open pits as a Geotech professional.
- Practical experience with advanced geotechnical monitoring instruments and techniques (having solid knowledge and practice on the Ground Probe SSR-XT unit will be highly preferred).
- High level of computer knowledge and skills in MS Office Suite.
- A high level of computer literacy with specialised mining software package: Maptek Vulcan or Surpac; Rocscience Inc. products as Slide2, Slide3; RS2; RS3; Dips and the powered SSR-Viewer from Ground Probe Pty Ltd are recommended.
- Must have strong communication skills in English, French skills an advantage
- Demonstrates strong conceptual skills and can develop lateral and practical solutions.
- Ability to respond to a changing work environment.