Hudbay Minerals U.S. Business Unit · 1 day ago
Senior Short Term Planning Engineer
Sahuarita, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expHudbay Minerals is a copper-focused mining company with operations in the United States. The Senior Short Term Planning Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing mine plans that ensure efficient and cost-effective ore extraction while collaborating with various technical teams to achieve production goals.
Mining & Metals
Responsibilities
Develop detailed daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules (dig plans, drill and blast plans, haulage plans) that align with the overall mine strategy and budget
Optimize short-term plans to maximize ore recovery, minimize dilution, optimize haulage routes, and ensure efficient equipment utilization (trucks, excavators/shovels, drills)
Incorporate geological models, geotechnical parameters, metallurgical recoveries, processing constraints, operating cost and survey data into short-term plans
Generate practical, safe and achievable plans considering operational constraints, equipment availability, as well as Social, Environmental and Permitting regulations
Interpret geological and assay data (blast hole assays, chip samples, trench samples) to create daily/weekly ore polygons and dig block boundaries
Develop and update ore control (stp) models and block models based on incoming data
Define precise ore and waste outlines (polygons) for excavation, ensuring accurate classification of material
Minimize ore dilution and maximize ore recovery through effective boundary management
Implement and manage ore control procedures, including sampling protocols, data management, material routing (Mill Feed / Stockpile /Construction/ Waste), and QA/QC processes for blast holes and other grade control samples
Monitor and reconcile production including Mill feed grades against planned grades and geological models
Management of Stockpiling
Identify discrepancies in grade data, ensuring data integrity
Communicate ore-related risks and opportunities to Geology, Operations and technical teams
Monitor actual production performance against planned targets on a daily and weekly basis
Identify variances, analyze root causes, and propose corrective actions to maintain plan compliance
Prepare and present regular performance reports to management, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations
Update and maintain relevant mine planning databases and systems
Work closely with Operations, Geology, Survey, Geotechnical, and Processing departments to ensure seamless execution of plans and resolve operational issues. This interaction will require continuing field visits and inspections
Communicate short-term plans clearly and effectively to frontline supervisors and operators
Participate in daily/weekly production meetings, providing technical input and support
Foster a collaborative environment focused on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement
Conduct detailed analysis of operational data to identify opportunities for improvement in productivity, cost, and safety
Utilize mine planning software (e.g. MineSight, Deswik) to develop, evaluate, and optimize plans
Develop and implement solutions to address operational challenges, geological complexities, and unforeseen site conditions
Conduct scenario analysis to evaluate different planning options and their potential impact
Ensure all planning activities adhere to company safety policies, environmental regulations, and relevant mining legislation
Incorporate safety considerations into all mine designs and operational plans
Actively promotes a strong safety culture within the team and across the operation
Mentor and guide junior mine planning engineers, sharing knowledge and best practices
Contribute to the development of standardized procedures and workflows within the mine planning team
Stay abreast of industry best practices and technological advancements in mine planning
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in mining engineering or a related field (e.g., Geological Engineering)
Minimum of 5-8 years of experience in mine planning for open-pit operations, with a strong focus on short-term planning and ore control
Proficiency in using mine planning software packages (Minesight, Deswik, or similar)
Strong understanding of open-pit mining methods, equipment capabilities, and operational processes
Solid understanding of geological principles, geotechnical considerations, and their impact on mine planning
Demonstrated ability to develop practical, safe, and cost-effective mine plans
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and manage multiple priorities
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Valid driver's license
Preferred
Postgraduate qualification in Mining Engineering or a related field
Experience with advanced optimization techniques in mine planning
Familiarity with geological modeling software
Experience in a similar commodity (e.g., gold, copper, iron ore)
Benefits
Annual performance bonuses
Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family.
Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability.
401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
Employee Assistance Program
Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay.
Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.
Company
Hudbay Minerals U.S. Business Unit
Hudbay is a copper-focused mining company with long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in North and South America.
Tucson, Arizona, US
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageCompany data provided by crunchbase