Senior Geotechnical Engineer - NewRange

Closing Date: March 31, 2023

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Technical Manager, NewRange Copper Nickel, the Senior Geotechnical Engineer is responsible for leading all aspects of geotechnical engineering activities for the Mesaba and NorthMet Projects on studies, permitting and mine development and eventually mine operations.  The scope extends to tailings facilities, rock storage facilities, water retaining structures, open pits and quarries, process plant site foundations and natural terrain hazards. The Senior Geotechnical Engineer will support good governance aspects of safe tailings management for NewRange Copper Nickel, including implementation of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), participation in Independent Tailings Review Board (ITRB) meetings, and completion of Tailings Governance Reviews (TGRs) amongst others. This position is based out of the Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota with travel as required.

The nature of the work is diversified and will require both strong field and analytical skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, strong organizational and task prioritization skills, and the flexibility to handle changing priorities and travel within Minnesota and to other locations based on our partners request, when required. 

Leadership forms the basis of a safe and healthy workplace and involves both making a commitment to put health and safety into action and proactively managing it. The Senior Geotechnical Engineer will lead by example in ensuring that safe and healthy working conditions are maintained, and that team members follow safe work practices and receive adequate training in their specific work tasks to protect their health and safety.

Overview:

Located in the historic iron range mining region of northeastern Minnesota, NewRange is a joint venture between Teck American Inc. (Teck) and PolyMet Mining Corp (PolyMet) that is advancing two major copper-nickel-platinum-palladium deposits, NorthMet and Mesaba. Project activities range from readying the feasibility stage NorthMet project for a production decision pending clearance of mine permits to advancing the nearby Mesaba project to pre-feasibility studies and permitting.  NewRange is committed to unlocking a new domestic supply chain of critical metals for the transition to a low-carbon economy and positioning Minnesota as a world leader in sustainable mineral resource development.

More information on the Project is available at newrangecoppernickel.com 

Responsibilities:

• Be a courageous safety leader, leading by example and fostering a proactive safety and sustainability culture. Adhere to and sponsor safety and environmental rules and procedures. 
• Be the principle technical lead in all geotechnical aspects of the projects.
• Lead and coordinate development of sound geotechnical-based designs across all project facilities.
• Identify and rectify areas of gaps in the geotechnical basis for designs across the project.   
• Evaluate opportunities for implementation of new technology in design and monitoring of mine facilities 
• Approve geotechnical design parameters and design criteria to support all aspects of the project. 
• Lead the integration of sound geotechnical based designs into evaluation and implementation stages of the projects from Scoping though Feasibility Studies to Construction and Operations stages.
• Integrate hydrogeology into the tailings and mine facility designs, working with hydrogeologists to opportunely obtain required data.  
• Manage project related budgets and staff in geotechnical studies, and supervise the implementation and control of consultant led projects. 
• Lead field investigations to support the tailings facility design ensuring control of the data at the required quality. 
• Review of tailings dam designs and troubleshoot issues with design and construction.
• Assess, identify, and communicate geotechnical risks. Understand the concept of credible catastrophic failure modes for tailings facilities
• Support the implementation of tailings governance reviews and serve as the key technical lead in Independent Tailings Review Board meetings on behalf of NewRange.
• Support the implementation of the GISTM for the project. 
• Accountable for the integrity of the tailings facility
• Responsible for liaising with the Engineer of Record of the tailings facility
• Accountable for change management around geotechnical structures 
• Lead the implementation of monitoring and trigger alert systems of the geotechnical structures
• Responsible for the construction records and as-built information of the tailings facility geotechnical structures
• Responsible for the operational, maintenance and surveillance documentation of geotechnical features across the project
• Support the approvals process for the EIS and the sectorial permits for project implementation.  
• Support the asset in the Life of Asset planning cycles

The above accountabilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Geological, Environmental, or Mining Engineering, preferably with specialization in Geotechnical Engineering.
• More than 15 years experience in mine-site geotechnical engineering, with multi-year experience in design and stability analysis of tailings facilities  
• Member of a professional association that certifies the candidate as a Professional Engineer.  
• Experience with tailings deposition planning for tailings facilities of all types (cyclone, waste rock, structures, earthen structures).
• Strong understanding of soil/tailings/rock mechanics behaviour for tailings and rock storage facility designs.
• Familiarity with stability analysis, deformation type software and risk based decision making.
• Experience in integration of geotechnical and hydrogeological studies into mine facilities design and risk analysis. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in English .
• Strong knowledge in overall mining business and planning processes.
• Continual improvememt in undertanding of the industry, community, and discipline.
• Strong leadership and management skills.

At NewRange, we value diversity. Our teams work collaboratively and respect each person’s unique perspective and contribution.

Qualified applicants interested in joining a dynamic team are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter electronically.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Your application to this posting is deemed to be your consent to the collection, use and necessary disclosure of personal information for the purposes of recruitment. NewRange respects the privacy of all applicants and the confidentiality of personal information.

Learn more about NewRange at newrangecoppernickel.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.