Mining Optimisation Specialist

Operational Optimisation

• Own and manage fleet performance KPIs, including payload accuracy, cycle efficiency, utilisation, and delay analysis, supported by structured improvement backlogs.
• Analyse end-to-end mining performance from planning through ore delivery to identify losses, bottlenecks, delays, and sources of operational variability.
• Monitor adherence to production plans, mining sequences, equipment allocation plans, haul routes, and access schedules, highlighting plan-versus-actual variances and supporting corrective actions.
• Support optimisation of drill, blast, load, and haul activities using fleet management, dispatch, and operational monitoring data.
• Compile, validate, and maintain mining optimisation dashboards and reports for shift, daily, weekly, and monthly performance reviews.
• Identify productivity, cost, and efficiency improvement opportunities through in-depth operational data analysis.
• Support the execution, tracking, and benefit realisation of optimisation initiatives, trials, and improvement projects.
• Evaluate the operational impact of implemented initiatives and recommend corrective actions where required.
• Apply continuous improvement and analytical techniques to identify optimisation opportunities beyond fleet and safety systems.
• Lead volumetric scanning activities and ROM pad discipline initiatives to reduce dilution and waste mixing.
• Integrate operator behaviour and fatigue insights into operational dashboards, shift routines, and coaching processes.
• Support the operationalisation of Level 9 CAS, progressing from advisory to intervention through procedures, training, drills, and system tuning while balancing safety effectiveness and nuisance stops.
• Contribute to autonomy readiness assessments and support participation in relevant trials.

People Enablement

• Coach supervisors and operators on KPI interpretation, performance drivers, and expected operational behaviours.
• Provide data-driven insights and technical guidance to support adoption of optimisation practices.
• Enable structured performance discussions through clear analysis of behaviours, plan compliance, and productivity drivers.

Resource & Cost Management

• Assist in prioritising optimisation improvement backlogs in collaboration with site leadership.
• Provide operational data and analysis to support mining cost reviews, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Identify key cost drivers, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities across mining operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives through root cause analysis and optimisation opportunity registers derived from operational data.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with mining, planning, survey, geology, maintenance, SHEQ, control room, and processing interface teams to align planning and execution.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to collect, validate, and interpret data required for optimisation analysis and reporting.
• Provide functional optimisation support to senior mining engineering leadership through performance insights and improvement recommendations.
• Engage with OEMs, system vendors, and technology providers to support optimisation initiatives and trials.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure Level 9 compliance evidence is maintained in line with legal and operational safety system requirements.
• Maintain the Operational Task File, including procedures, operating instructions, training records, risk assessments, change approvals, and evidence of operationalisation for safety-critical systems.
• Respect safety and production windows when implementing trials or operational changes.
• Ensure all optimisation activities comply with site safety, operational, and governance standards.
• Support data-enabled safety monitoring, including fatigue risk, proximity awareness, and operational safety indicators to improve early risk identification.

Role Outcomes & KPIs

• Reduced cost per tonne.
• Reduced event-to-containment time.
• Reduced ROM dilution incidents.
• Improved compliance with short- and medium-term mine plans.
• Improved equipment utilisation and cycle efficiency.
• High quality, accurate, and timely optimisation reporting.
• Improved planning-to-execution alignment through data-enabled performance monitoring.

• Grade 12 (NQF 4).
• BTech or BEng in Mining, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.

• Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement certification.

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in mining operations, technical services, or mining analytics.
• Demonstrated experience in mining performance analysis, optimisation initiatives, and operational reporting.
• Exposure to collision avoidance, proximity detection, fleet management, dispatch, and fatigue management systems.
• Experience working with real-time operational data or integrated mining monitoring environments.