PTFI’s Grasberg operations consist of a number of world-class mines that are targeted to produce some 240,000 tons of copper ore daily. These include the Grasberg Open Pit, DOZ panel cave, and the Big Gossan open stope mine. Equally important are the mines under development and study. Development is well advanced at the GBC panel cave mine and the DMLZ panel cave mine and studies are being initiated for the Kucing Liar panel cave mine. Current mine plans call for the Grasberg pit to be complete at the end of 2018 at which time production will solely be from underground mines with production ramping up to some 240,000tpd by the middle of the next decade as GBC and DMLZ panel caves are brought on line. The approximate CAPEX is in excess of $10b and when at full capacity Grasberg operations will be one of the largest underground operations in the world; delivering the future of PTFI.
The Underground Geotechnical Group has a major role in the successful transition to underground era; 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.
Additional responsibilities:
- The Technical Expert Geotechnical Analysis Support Systems role exists to ensure critical aspects of geotechnical design are undertaken. The intent of the role is provide:
- Core underground geotechnical design skills
- Ground support design and ground control skills
- Understanding of numerical modelling
- Strong analytical skills in data analysis and visualization
- Provide expert advice to ensure that best practice geotechnical design is applied to the underground mines.
- Provide expert advice to ensure that appropriate analyses are undertaken. Analysis will range from reviewing numerical modelling of mining sequences to the development of analytical tools to assist in assessing cave performance.
- Develop and coach national staff to build capacity, ensure knowledge transfer and that analyses follow international best practices.
- Provide professional advice/recommendations to PTFI leadership and supervisory staff.
- Understand and be aware of safety and environmental practices in the various work areas to ensure safe work.
- Assist in the development of the Underground Geotechnical group that provides key technical advice and support to Grasberg Underground Operations.
- Technical work for the DOZ, DMLZ and GBC caving operations and for the Big Gossan operation all within PTFI’s Grasberg business unit.
- Assist in the development of partnering arrangements with key specialist providers, such as numerical modelling consultants.
- Assist in mentoring program for national geotechnical engineers.
- Reporting to Senior Manager Underground Geotechnical Engineering Group.
- Collaborative and influencing functional peer relationships with geotechnical design teams within PTFI’s underground projects and operations.
- Collaboration with Grasberg Underground Operations.
- Close alignment with Underground Engineering, Geology, Asset Management, and Underground contractors to achieve common goals.
