PURPOSE
The Mining Director will provide Group-level technical leadership, standards and assurance for Mine Operations (open pit and underground) across the portfolio (predominantly open pit today, with underground activities expected to expand in coming years). The role will ensure strengthening governance, technical consistency and capability while supporting sites and growth projects on complex mining topics without owning day-to-day execution.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Standards, governance and technical assurance
* Define and maintain Group Mine Operations Standards for both open pit and underground mining (mining methods, surveying, drill and blast, load and haul, contractor management, productivity reporting and critical controls).
* Ensure quality and accuracy of technical work through clear requirements, review routines and decision rights for mining technical deliverables.
* Ensure QA/QC of functional data (production reporting, equipment performance, unit costs, plan-to-execution variance and reconciliation inputs).
* Lead technical assurance reviews and audits of site mining practices; track findings and close out. Support the technical detail required in training programs and skill matrixes.
Multi-asset SME support (complex problem solving)
* Support “health of the function” in terms of personnel pipelines and personnel assessments Provide SME support to sites on high-risk / high-value issues (productivity gaps, drill and blast performance, equipment selection, contractor performance, underground development/production constraints, geotechnical-driven constraints and operating model changes).
* Support site teams to diagnose root causes, define corrective actions and stabilise performance.
Asset opportunities (identification, design and implementation support)
* Identify and prioritise asset opportunities across Mine Operations, in partnership with Operations Support and site leadership.
* Support opportunity design (scope, operating model, risks, resourcing, implementation plan and benefit tracking).
* Support opportunity implementation through governance, coaching and post-implementation review.
* Review and input on site-specific Capital Review Committee expenditure.
Reconciliation standards and audit
* Define Mine Operations reconciliation standards and audit requirements, ensuring consistent definitions and review routines.
* Drive analysis of persistent variances (tonnes moved, ore delivered, dilution/ore loss drivers in partnership with geology and processing) and support corrective action plans.
Studies support and peer review (PFS+)
* Provide mining input to studies (PFS/FS/DFS and major optimisation studies): strategy, method selection, fleet sizing, schedules, productivity assumptions, cost drivers, risks and execution readiness.
* Peer review mining study deliverables and ensure assumptions reflect operational reality and Group standards.
* Act as a Qualified Person (QP) and/or support QP sign-off requirements where applicable.
Innovation, technology and capability development (health of function)
* Sponsor fit-for-purpose tools and analytics (performance dashboards, benchmarking, plan-to execution variance analysis and digital / automation opportunities).
* Build capability across the Mine Operations function: competency framework, mentoring, training pathways and succession planning.
* Contribute to recruitment standards for key mining roles and develop internal talent pipelines.
KEY DELIVERABLES
* Group Mine Operations Standard / Handbook and annual update cycle.
* Annual assurance plan; audit reports; closure tracking and compliance scorecards.
* Quarterly performance dashboard (productivity, costs, plan adherence, contractor KPIs and critical controls).
* Mine Operations reconciliation framework (definitions, routines and audit requirements) and periodic audit outputs.
* Study peer review notes / sign-off memos for mining workstreams (PFS/FS/DFS).
* Capability plan and training curriculum for mining leadership and technical teams.
KEY INTERFACES
* Sites: GM, Mine Manager, Mining HODs / Mining Specialists, Mine Planning, Geology, Processing, Maintenance, HSE and contractors.
* Group: VP Technical Services, VP Operations / Operations Support, Resources & Reserves, Geotechnical, Processing & Metallurgy, Maintenance, Studies Director, Data/IS&T.
SUCCESS MEASURES (EXAMPLE KPIS)
* Compliance to Mine Operations standards; assurance findings closed on time.
* Improved plan adherence and productivity; reduced persistent performance gaps.
* Improved quality and consistency of mining functional data and reporting.
* Reduced cost/tonne variance and improved contractor performance management. High-quality mining inputs to studies, enabling robust investment decisions.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
* Qualified Person (QP) with appropriate professional registration for public reporting (e.g., NI 43 101 / JORC or equivalent).
* Senior mining professional with extensive operational and technical exposure in both open pit and underground mining (multi-asset preferred), including experience supporting underground ramp-up / transition programmes.
* Proven experience in mining technical studies (PFS/FS/DFS), including key assumptions, schedules, costs and risk drivers.
* Strong stakeholder management (influence without direct authority) and ability to coach site teams.
* Familiar with common mine planning tools and modern performance analytics / technology opportunities.
TYPE OF CONTRACT: LONG TERM