Manager - Underground Mine Planning & Studies

Kamoto Copper Company Société Anonyme, KCC SA in acronym, is a Congolese company operating in Kolwezi, capital of the province of Lualaba, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

KCC SA exploits copper and cobalt ores on a large scale. It includes an underground mine, open-pit mines and integrated metallurgical facilities. The operation has one of the largest copper reserves in the world, with a current life of over 25 years.

As an industrial mining company, we provide safe workplaces and support the sustainable development of the local economy. We maintain a constructive and open dialogue with the communities that host us, as well as with the provincial and national government.

Job Description

Reporting to the General Manager – Mine Technical Services, the Manager – Underground Mine Planning & Studies is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of mine designs, plans, and studies to support underground mine development and production.

The role provides leadership to the mine planning and studies team, ensuring plans, resources, and capabilities align with operational needs. It drives continuous improvement in mine design, scheduling, cost control, and performance optimization, while supporting National employee development and maintaining strong safety standards.

He/She will have, among other things, the following responsibilities (non-exhaustive list):

• Health, Safety, Environment, Community & Risk. 

• Champions proactive management of high-risk tasks, critical controls, and compliance with mining regulations.
• Sets and maintains health and safety expectations aligned with industry best practices.
• Leads and supports safety leadership and improvement programs.
• Oversees contractor safety performance and engagement.
• Ensures all activities are executed safely, within design, schedule, and legal requirements.

• Budgets, Cost & Governance. 

• Develops high-quality budgets and forecasts aligned with business objectives.
• Manages operational and capital costs to meet budget and forecast commitments.
• Maintains strong cost discipline through regular financial reviews and variance analysis.
• Ensures compliance with reporting standards, procurement, and contractor management processes.
• Conducts all business in line with the company’s Code of Conduct and anti-corruption policies.

• Leadership, People, Development & Communication. 

• Demonstrates the highest standards without compromise, supporting and living the company values.
• Leads by example, upholding company values and high performance standards.
• Coaches and mentors National employees, driving succession planning and development.
• Sets clear accountabilities, measures performance, and provides constructive feedback.
• Promotes diversity, teamwork, and a safe learning environment.
• Ensures training, competency development, and compliance with HR policies.

• Planning & Scheduling.

• Leads the development of underground mine plans and designs aligned with budgets and forecasts.
• Contributes to Life of Asset strategy and long-term mine scheduling.
• Reviews plans and schedules to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Ensures integration of ventilation, dewatering, and engineering requirements in mine designs.
• Monitors compliance to plan and supports corrective actions to maintain performance.

• Operational & Technical Excellence.

• Leads the Underground Mine Planning & Studies section, ensuring the required skills, systems, materials, and infrastructure are defined, available, and sustained for operational success.
• Develops and implements mine development and production strategies, plans, and schedules with KPIs to meet and sustain sulphide mill feed requirements.
• Drives Short Interval Control and continuous improvement by analyzing mine data to enhance planning, scheduling, productivity, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Establishes and maintains effective QA/QC practices across owner and contractor activities to ensure quality execution and repeatability of tasks.
• Ensures compliance with mine plans, designs, and engineering standards—including ventilation, dewatering, backfill, and blasting—and collaborates with the Manager Mine to resolve deficiencies.
• Oversees mine area design and manages the scheduling, engineering, and delivery of key infrastructure such as ventilation, dewatering, and backfill systems.
• Provides technical expertise in drill and blast design, performance analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives, as well as input to new projects and corporate studies.

Job Requirements

Qualifications and experience

• University degree in mining engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
• Minimum 15 years of experience working in industry with at least 5 years in a leadership role.Proven international experience underground mine planning ideally from long hole open stoping operation.
• Mining engineering degree.
• Competent in Deswik or similar mine design and scheduling software
• Proven ability to mentor and develop teams.

Competencies

• Strong critical, analytical and creative thinking skills
• Ability to translate technical ideas into practical solutions
• A robust understanding of best practice in safe Underground Mine Planning & Engineering
• French or Swahili language skills are advantageous
• Previous overseas experience.

KCC SA does not accept applications submitted by people under the age of eighteen (18). In accordance with article 1 of the Labor Code of the Democratic Republic of Congo, KCC SA receives all applications without distinction or discrimination. However, as part of its Equal Opportunity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, applications from women are strongly encouraged.

In accordance with our Compliance Policy and Code of Conduct, KCC, its representatives and its workers do not receive any compensation or benefits of any kind at any stage of the recruitment process (application submission, application processing, tests and interviews for employment, medical examinations for employment, or induction, etc.).

Any act or attempted act of corruption must be reported through our web portal : https://glencore.raisingconcerns.org/ or by phone at: +243 970 174 000 and will be severely punished.

Furthermore, KCC SA pursues the objective of a transparent, fair and equitable recruitment process and, therefore, does not tolerate any interference or intervention in any way whatsoever in its recruitment process. Any failure on this point will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate concerned.