Role Title:

Sr. Long Term Planning Engineer

Job Type:

Full-time, Regular

Location:

Tucson, AZ

Purpose of Role:

The Senior Long Term Planning Engineer is responsible for defining the strategic direction and long-term economic value of the mining operation. This role develops and maintains the Life-of-Mine (LOM) plan, conducts pit/phase optimizations, and performs trade-off studies that guide major capital investments and operational strategy.

This role will be located at the Copper World Project, approximately 45 minutes southwest of Tucson near Sahuarita, Arizona.

Role Accountabilities:

• Strategic Mine Planning & Design
• Life-of-Mine (LOM) Plan Development: Develop, maintain, and update the comprehensive LOM plan based on the latest resource models, cost data, and geotechnical/regulatory and operational constraints.
• Economic Optimization: Conduct ultimate pit limit optimizations, pushback designs, and phase sequencing using strategic planning tools (e.g., Whittle, NPV Scheduler) to maximize Net Present Value (NPV) of the project.
• Design & Layout: Design long-term mine infrastructure, including ultimate pit limits, waste storage facilities, stockpiles, haul roads, and primary crushing/material handling sequencing.
• Long-Term Mine Scheduling: Build and validate long-term (5-year and LOM) mine schedules, defining the annual movement of ore and waste and the progression of mining phases.
• Mineral Reserves: Perform annual Reserve/Resource estimation and reporting.
• Safety and Compliance: Prioritizes safety in mine plans and mine designs ensuring that all work supports safe operations, adhering to all relevant safety protocols and regulations.
• Cost Modeling: Develop and maintain detailed long-range cost models, incorporating capital expenditures (CapEx) for equipment and infrastructure, and operating expenditures (OpEx) for drill/blast, loading/haulage, and processing.
• Scenario & Trade-Off Analysis: Conduct in-depth economic trade-off studies (e.g., cut-off grade optimization, stockpiling strategies, pit expansion timing) using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) modeling to support business decisions.
• Budget Support: Translate the long-term strategic models into the foundation for actionable 5-year plans and support the annual budgeting and rolling forecast updates.
• Technical Integration Compliance
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key interface between Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrogeology, Processing, Environmental and Finance to ensure all technical and cost inputs are integrated and aligned within the strategic plan.
• Geotechnical & Hydrological Integration: Incorporate slope stability parameters, dewatering requirements, and other critical technical constraints into mine designs to ensure safety and practicality.
• Reporting & Compliance: Prepare technical documentation for Reserve Reporting (e.g., 43-101), permitting, and business case presentations for senior management and stakeholders.
• Reconciliation: Support the reconciliation process by comparing actual performance to the long-term plan, identifying variances, and updating the plan accordingly

Minimum Qualifications and Education:

• Bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering is required. A post-graduate degree is considered a strong asset.
• Experience: 7-10+ years of proven experience in mine engineering in open pit operations, of which at least 2+ years as a short/medium term mine planning experience and 3+ years in long term mine planning, preferably in a similar operation.
• Mine Planning Software Procifiency: Expert-level knowledge of specialized mine planning and optimization software (e.g., Whittle, Hexagon MinePlan 3D/MPSO, Deswik Go).
• Optimization Principles: Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of open pit mine optimization principles, NPV modeling, and strategic mine design.
• Financial Acumen: Competency in financial modelling and economic analysis, including DCF valuation and cost-benefit analysis.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Other Requirements:

Physical - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.

Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist. Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver's license.