Group Principal Tailings Engineer

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description : Company Description

First Quantum Minerals is a leading Canadian-based global mining & metals company focused on the production of copper, nickel, gold & cobalt. As a company, we strive for continuous excellence and after 25 years of operations we are now one of the world’s top 10 copper producers, exporting millions of tonnes of concentrate from multiple countries to customers worldwide. Our operations and future developments span across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas, and we are globally recognised for our specialist technical, engineering, construction and operational skills, which allow us to unlock value from complex mineral projects and deliver rewarding careers for our people, returns for our shareholders and sustainable development for the many local communities that host our operations. As we expand our operations, continue to provide metals to build the modern world and shift to a low carbon, greener economy in the years ahead, our mining projects will continue to require the best and the brightest talent to help us solve the emerging challenges of our time, shape our business and unlock opportunities for our future.

Job Description

Although our production and financial results are the engine that drives our business, it is the depth of capability in our people that will continue to determine First Quantum’s ongoing success. Reporting to the TMF & Water Dams Group Engineer and as a part of FQM Corporate Tailings, the Group Principal Tailings Engineer will be a Certified Professional Engineer involved in the effective life cycle stewardship of First Quantum Mineral’s (FQM) tailings and water dams, including planning for closure. The role will focus on advising and assisting mine site leadership and site teams to achieve the objectives of the Tailings and Dams Management System (TDMS).

To be successful in this role, we require a self-motivated individual with strong technical, interpersonal and communication skills, who can collaborate and excel within a decentralised technical team and can demonstrate the ability to promote and influence best practice at site level.

Whilst primarily focused on our Zambia mine site tailings and water dams, the incumbent will periodically visit our other global sites and offices, building further relationships and broadening their experience and corporate influence toward best practice across FQM.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in our ongoing pursuit of safe, efficient and environmentally responsible management of tailings and water dams.

Key Responsibilities :

The Group Principal Tailings Engineer’s general accountabilities include, but are not limited to, the below :

Work to continually improve group alignment to ICOLD, GISTM and relevant standards

Perform a Corporate EoR role for our Zambia TSFs and EoR for our British Columbia closed site

Pro-actively support site’s conformance to the Tailings and Dams Management System

Provide technical guidance and support on dams and tailings management related issues

Help to ensure internal reporting from the sites is complete and available

Engage with mine and project sites on tailings and water dams work scopes, expectations and performance of Engineers of Record and Consultants engaged at site level

Provide direct support to sites on quality, stewardship, risk assessment and reporting

Provide SME support to site risk assessments and development of critical controls

Ensure site operating, maintenance, and surveillance manuals and emergency preparedness and response plans are kept up to date, relevant and effective

Ensure Designs, Construction Records, Construction vs Design Intent Verification, DSI inspections and TARP processes are in place at the sites, suitably approved, and effective

Support tailings facility plans development at site level, including mass balances, deposition plans and water balance

Interact with engineering, environment and processing departments during site visits

Pro-actively continue your professional development and promote the same for site personnel via the FQM Learning & Development initiatives in tailings and water dams

Mentor site personnel on dams inspections, monitoring and operations improvement

Assist sites, as needed, in their interactions and consultations with external entities.

Qualifications :

Degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering, with relevant Masters and PhD well regarded

Registered, or immediately eligible to register and attain, Chartered Professional Engineer (Civil and / or Geotechnical), or equivalent, issued by a recognised industry organisation

Experience & Technical Skills Required :

12+ years of civil / geotechnical engineering experience across planning, design, construction, operations, monitoring of tailings and water dams, with direct site experience highly regarded

Experience performing an EoR role for TSFs

Demonstrated technical excellence in geotechnical engineering

Understanding of tailings behaviour, technologies, geotechnical investigation methods and analyses, advanced soil mechanics, and surface and subsurface monitoring systems.

Strong computer skills (i.e. EXCEL, WORD, PowerPoint)

Proficient in the use of specialized geotechnical software (eg. GeoStudio, Plaxis, FLAC)

Demonstrated Project Management skills

Strong attention to detail and working through issues in a logical, structured manner

TSF inspections experience, including DSR’s and DSI’s is essential, with water dams well regarded

Understanding of permitting and legislative processes, and a broad knowledge of best practice guidelines from ANCOLD, CDA, ICOLD, MAC, ICMM, GISTM

Ability to influence sound outcomes whilst developing and maintaining strong relationships

Experience working with external specialists, such as EoR, risk engineers and with regulators

Excellent communication, leadership, mentoring, writing, interpersonal, presentation and time management skills

Other Requirements :

Candidates must have the right to work in the applicable region without visa sponsorship

Can travel to FQM mine and project sites globally - Approximately 25% international travel

Fluent in the spoken and written English language, with Spanish additional and well regarded

Comfortable working and driving manual transmission 4WD light vehicles in a variety of environments, including left and right hand drive, rural, mine site, construction and remote sites

Core Values & Behavioural Profile :

FQM’s culture is centred on fostering innovation, harnessing original thinking and challenging convention. We work Bolder, Smarter, Driven, Together. These 4 pillars are the keys to our growth in the past, the success of our present, and the foundations of our continued evolution and improvement into the future.

BOLDER

Comfortable in an atmosphere where freedom, flexibility and challenging convention is ingrained into the culture

Driven, versatile and thrives in a challenging environment.

Strong ability to navigate complexity, operate with minimal bureaucracy and act strategically

Highly flexible an adaptable to fast changing priorities

SMARTER

Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative and work with minimal supervision

Promotes a continuous improvement mind-set and challenges self and others to identify and implement opportunities for improvement

Ability to see the big picture and take an objective view

DRIVEN

Focused, detail orientated, well organised and an efficient self – starter

Aspires for excellence, setting high standards and taking accountability for performance

Thrives in high pressure, demanding, deadline-driven environment

TOGETHER

Calm, confident and collaborative with an approachable, professional demeanour

Willingness to perform work scope outside of the core responsibilities of the role

Strong influencing and decision-making capability

Exceptional interpersonal skills. Ability to develop and sustain relationships and trust with business and functions at all levels and in a range of cultures

Ability to work with both internal and external stakeholders with diverse external background. Robust character able to manage difficult individuals with tact and professionalism

High level of personal credibility and strong adherence to the highest ethical standards

Additional Information

First Quantum Benefits

A dynamic, challenging and extraordinary working environment where safety is a number one priority

Opportunity to develop within a growing company that is currently one of the world's top 10 copper producers

Highly competitive base compensation & financial incentives (discretionary bonuses & Long-term share plan)

Leave options aligned with local market best practice

Performance over presence culture & flexible working environment as per business requirements

Diversity & Inclusion

At FQM, while at the beginning of our D&I journey, we are committed to embedding the principles of diversity and inclusion into our culture, company and practices with the aim of ensuring an environment of equity irrespective of race, gender age, religion, identity or experience.

Office or Operation’s Location Johannesburg (Flexible working – 3 office days & 2 WFH days)

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