Principal - Mine Planning

Principal Mining Engineer – Black Star Open Cut Project

Regional Studies, Project Delivery
Mount Isa / Brisbane (FIFO transitioning role)
Ref. No. 104999

 

Based initially in Brisbane and transitioning to a FIFO roster to Mount Isa, you will provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, supporting the successful delivery of the Black Star Open Cut Project from feasibility through to operations.

 

Mount Isa Mines

 

Mount Isa Mines is one of the oldest, largest and most complex mining operations in Australia, located in Mount Isa, Queensland. Employing over 4,000 people, Mount Isa Mines is now looking for new leaders to join the team. We operate two mining and processing streams, copper and zinc-lead-silver, to deliver natural resources of enduring value in modern society.

 

At Mount Isa Mines, we believe in our people. We cultivate an environment of professionalism, ownership, and innovation while prioritising safety and well-being. Our employee rewards program, market-leading superannuation, and commitment to professional development set us apart. Learn more at www.mountisamines.com.au

 

Your Benefits: 

• Competitive remuneration with 13% superannuation
• Access to Glencore Rewards including health insurance discounts and retail offers
• Leadership development programs and career progression pathways
• Participation in a major, high-profile capital project
• FIFO flexibility with transition from Brisbane to Mount Isa

 

About the role

 

The Principal Mining Engineer – Black Star Open Cut Project will provide advanced technical leadership and specialist open cut mining expertise across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and project development through execution, commissioning, operational readiness and transition into mining operations.

 

Reporting to the Project Director, this role is responsible for ensuring mining outcomes are technically robust, practically executable, financially sound and aligned with project objectives. The position will play a critical role in developing mine designs, production schedules, mining sequences, waste management strategies and execution plans that support safe and successful project delivery.

 

Working closely with Project Development, Operations, Geology, Geotechnical, Processing, Engineering, Environment, Approvals, Commercial and Technical Services teams, you will provide technical direction and assurance while supporting optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives that maximise project value.

 

Key responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for open cut mining activities across feasibility, execution, commissioning, ramp-up and transition to operations
• Develop and maintain safe, practical and value-optimised mine designs, production schedules, mining strategies and waste movement plans
• Lead mining inputs into feasibility studies, project evaluations, capital and operating cost estimates, financial models and investment decisions
• Integrate geological, geotechnical, metallurgical, environmental, infrastructure and operational requirements into mine planning activities
• Identify and manage mining risks, constraints, assumptions and opportunities through effective technical governance processes
• Support operational performance through plan reviews, forecasting, reconciliation and productivity improvement initiatives
• Establish and maintain mining standards, procedures, planning systems and technical reporting frameworks
• Provide technical review and assurance of work completed by employees, consultants and contractors
• Lead optimisation studies, scenario modelling and trade-off assessments to improve project value and execution certainty
• Mentor and develop mining engineers, planners and other Technical Services personnel
• Build strong relationships across project, operational and functional teams
• Ensure safety, risk and assurance actions are completed in line with company expectations and governance requirements

 

About you – skills and experience

 

You are a highly experienced mining professional with a strong background in open cut mine planning, mine design and project development. You have successfully delivered mining projects through study phases into execution and operations and bring a practical approach to balancing technical excellence with operational outcomes.

 

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Mining Engineering
• Significant experience in open cut mining, mine planning, mine design, production engineering or project development environments
• Demonstrated success delivering mining projects from feasibility studies through execution and operational readiness
• Strong experience with mine establishment, pre-strip activities, waste emplacement planning and infrastructure integration
• Proven capability integrating long, medium and short-term planning horizons
• Experience undertaking optimisation studies, scenario modelling and technical trade-off analysis
• Strong understanding of mining cost estimation, financial evaluation and project economics
• Knowledge of Net Smelter Return calculations, mine financial modelling, cash flow analysis and NPV assessment
• Strong understanding of geotechnical, geological, metallurgical, environmental and operational interfaces
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage consultant and contractor deliverables
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, mentoring and leadership capabilities
• A strong commitment to safety leadership, continuous improvement and technical excellence 

Why Join Us?

 

This is a rare opportunity to influence the design, planning and successful delivery of a major open cut mining project that will play a key role in the future of Mount Isa Mines. You will work alongside experienced project and operational leaders while helping shape a project from concept through to production.

 

At Glencore, our people are the foundation of our success, and we are committed to creating a workplace where our values guide everything we do. Safety is our first priority. We act with Integrity, take Responsibility, embrace Openness, focus on Simplicity and encourage Entrepreneurialism.

If you're ready to provide technical leadership on a project that will help shape the future of Mount Isa Mines and the region, we encourage you to apply.

 

Don't just take a role. Lead the mining strategy behind a project that matters.

 

Applications Close: 8^th of October