PTFI’s Grasberg Underground Mine operations consist of a number of world-class mines that are targeted to produce 240,000 tons of copper ore per day.  These include the GBC panel cave mine, the DMLZ panel cave mine and the Big Gossan open stope mine.  The Kucing Liar panel cave mine is PTFI’s future source of copper, which will be developed over the next 5 years. The approximate site CAPEX is in excess of $6b and when at full capacity Grasberg operations will be one of the largest underground operations in the world. The Life of Mine of the Underground Mine operation currently reaches 2041.

The Underground Geotechnical Group has a major role in the success of PTFI; ensuring that the underground operations are geotechnically reliable; the global and local support systems provide a safe working environment; and the caves are monitored and managed to provide the expected revenue stream.  The work carried out by the group includes rock mass characterization, support design, ground control, hydrology, QA/QC of support systems, monitoring of ground and cave behavior and evaluation/prediction of cave performance. 

Description: 

The Technical Expert: Geotechnical Engineering and Development advises on the planning, direction, monitoring and evaluation of activities for the underground geotechnical team with specific focus on design, implementation, and verification of ground control systems. The ground control systems form an integral part of the risk management to provide the most effective support resulting in maximum return for the company.

Additional Responsibilities:

1.            In conjunction with requirements from the section heads, provide assistance on the design, implementation and verification of ground control systems to ensure they meet the company's long-term strategy.

2.            Propose related operating and capital budgets, and ensure it results in maximum return for the company by reviewing and controlling the budget.

3.            Assist to direct, plan, monitor, and evaluate the section activities in all areas of ground control and QAQC to ensure all activities meet the quality and cost standard and the effectiveness of resources utilization to meet PTFI’s safety compliance aligned with Government of Indonesia requirements.

4.            Review and prioritize the various components of the ground control being planned and assist in adjudicating the effectiveness of the options being considered against industry best practices.

5.            Coordinate and maintain professional relationships with relevant parties within PTFI and external parties who include auditors, consultants, and authorities in regard to UG Geotechnical and Hydrology.

6.            Help to direct and communicate company's safety and ground control policies, to ensure subordinates perform their duties accurately, effectively, and efficiently in a safe manner.

7.            Provide technical and management guidance for subordinate through training and development, ongoing coaching to prepare for the sustainable employee development to the expanding organization.

8.          Provide and facilitate appropriate technology transfer of ground control systems and awareness of key criteria to clients and operations.

9.          Monitor performance and assist geotechnical department and QAQC during their activities to minimize possibilities of re-work and to ensure compliance with time and quality standards required by the client and the company.

10.          Conduct research and trials to assess opportunities for improvements to material used for support systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering or Geological Engineering or acceptable Tertiary qualifications with at least ten (10) years of working experience in the industry and experience in instrumentation and information management for underground mining.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills.
• Rock support and geotechnical background for underground mining.
• Extensive strategic mine safety and environmental experience.
• Computer literate and database literate.
• Excellent, leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Project Management knowledge.
• Quick in taking initiative.
• Demonstrated expertise in geotechnical engineering and ground control as applied to underground mining.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others and communicate complex issues.
• Highly focused on geotechnical analysis and design as applied to underground mining and assessing geotechnical aspects of underground mine production.  This requires and in-depth knowledge of rock engineering and ground control.
• Ability to perform in-depth analysis of complex geotechnical issues and convey the results to senior management.
• Ability to develop preventive actions as opposed to corrective actions.
• Strong analytical thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a culturally diversified workforce.
• Fluent in English (oral and written) and willing to learn Bahasa Indonesia.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• High level communication and presentation skills
• Other PTFI mandatory competencies.