Senior Geotechnical Engineer Block Cave Seismicity

• Make an impact and contribute to the development of a world-class mine within a pioneering organization
• Diverse & challenging projects with our Underground Operations team
• Dynamic work culture and great exposure to multicultural teams

About the role

We are looking for a senior level Geotechnical Engineer to be responsible for the collation and analyses of rock mass data specifically related to rock mass seismicity. Data to be used to verify the rock mass' response to cave mining and thus ensure that the best data is utilized in all geotechnical analyses leading to successful and safe undercut advance and mass-excavations and general operations. The role is estimated to spend approximately 1/3 of its time working in the field (underground and on surface) and 2/3 on surface in an office environment.

Working 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off, International FIFO (current roster arrangements may differ due to the COVID-19), and reporting to the Manager Geology & Geotechnical Services, you will be responsible for:

• Developing high quality and practical cave management strategies that account the challenges unique to Oyu Tolgoi Cave Mining Operation
• Seismic rock mass characterization for P0 in close cooperation with IMS (seismic analysis provider) developing site specific seismic exclusion zones and re-entry times
• Routinely inspecting production footprint and pro-actively provide a geotechnical review related to critical ground conditions as a result of caving activities.
• Reviewing seismic monitoring data and provide updated seismic hazard exclusion zone
• Reviewing and evaluating the current practice, planning and forecast of Cave Management in order to provide recommendation and suggestion for the short and long-term work plan.
• Reviewing caving performance using monitoring data and ground observation, then analyze short term caving sequences, both undercutting and mucking, and provide recommendation appropriately
• Reviewing the reasons for shortfalls in compliance to cave management plans and in collaboration with operations work to resolve these challenges to achieve draw strategy compliance and production targets
• Working closely with relevant internal teams in planning and monitoring repair works appropriately both using monitoring and ground response observation
• Continuously coach and train Cave Management personnel with the new technology, mining method, Block Cave Mining technology, geology aspect and rock mechanic aspect to enhance their capability in performing the Cave Management related tasks

What you will bring

• Bachelor's degree in Geology, Mechanical, Civil or Mining Engineering or other relevant disciplines
• At least 3-5 years' in cave mining industry, with reasonable experience in seismic analysis and interpretation for block caving geomechanics
• Experience in caving geomechanics with various caving stages; development, undercutting, caving propagation and production
• Core underground geotechnical engineering experience
• Ground support design and ground control expertise
• Rock mass data acquisition (through core logging, face mapping) and rock mass characterization skills
• Geotechnical monitoring system installation, data acquisition and data analysis

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Strong analytical skills
• Strong computer / software skills
• Ability to work in a culturally diversified workforce.

About us

Joining the Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project team is a great opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting developments in copper and gold mining for several decades. The mine contains reserves and resources that make it one of the world's largest copper-gold deposits.

This mega project is expected to be a major contributor to Mongolia's development. As part of the Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi Underground Project team, you have the ability to contribute to something significant and learn and develop both personally and professionally. We offer a collaborative, high performing environment where success is achieved by working together.

Discover more about Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi

Mongolia is increasingly becoming a destination for tourism and expatriate residents. As a rapidly developing city, Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar is seen as a comfortable, yet exciting place to live. With an array of cultural and social activities available and a growing network of international schools, housing options, and leisure facilities, its home to a growing community of international expatriates.

Located in the South Gobi Desert, just 80 kilometres from the Chinese border, the Oyu Tolgoi open pit mine and camp is a large, well-run and comfortable site with multiple amenities including recreational and sports facilities, a cinema, shops, restaurants and bars catered to a growing community. For more information about OT site, please check out this video.

Where you'll be working

Oyu Tolgoi is an operating Copper / Gold open pit mine with a brownfields underground mining project. The site is located in the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia. The reserves case for the underground project is in the order of 0.5 billion tonnes of ore to be mined from the 95,000 tonnes per day Hugo North Lift 1 (HNL1) panel cave mine with a 20-year operations life. There is also the potential for 3 further block cave districts to increase mine life beyond 100 years.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

Job application closes on 27 May 2021