Chief Geotechnical Engineer

Located approximately 26 miles from the City of Fairbanks, Fort Knox is a centre of excellence for the Company as one of the few cold weather heap leach facilities in the world. Fort Knox celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2021, and has produced over 8.5 million ounces since it began operation. In 2020, Kinross acquired Manh Choh – a project expected to commence production in 2024 and process ore at Fort Knox.

Fort Knox prioritizes being a strong contributor to the State and local communities, and since 2001, has helped support more than 300 community partners and has contributed more than US$25 million to the Alaska Mental Health Trust.

Job Description

The Kinross - Fort Knox Technical Services team is seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief Geotechnical Engineer to lead the geotechnical department at the Fort Knox Gold Mine open pit. Reporting to the Technical Services Manager, this position will provide support in all aspects of geotechnical engineering.

Responsible for providing geotechnical engineering support to the department to ensure that the mine functions effectively and safely with minimal impacts to the business. Develop site geotechnical programs to meet or exceed industry standards. Responsible for carrying out a full range of engineering functions. To be familiar with and understand the principles of the environment policy and also to maintain and support procedures and work practices aimed at preventing accidents or injuries.

Job Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement geotechnical design criteria to support safe and optimal mine operations.
2. Plan and manage the installations of mine-wide geotechnical and hydrology monitoring systems.
3. Advise mine planning and operations personnel on geotechnical issues relating to production, drilling, blast, dewatering, and mine design.
4. Proactively perform site inspections, prepare operational mitigation plans, and manage geotechnical issues.
5. Plan, develop, and track expenses against the department budget including geotechnical and hydrology data collection and drilling programs.
6. Coordinate with the Water Manager in planning the hydrology program to ensure adequate instrumentation exists for monitoring pore pressures and phreatic surfaces relative to mine design targets.
7. Manage contracts and coordinate with geotechnical consultants to ensure high quality work products are developed, design criteria are clearly understood and effectively implemented, recommendations are optimized based on operational performance.
8. Perform geotechnical investigations and back analysis using geotechnical software.
9. In coordination with the Geology team, plan the collection, analysis, and interpretation of geotechnical data.
10. Ensure a sound geotechnical model covering mine geology, geological structures, rock mass quality and hydrogeology is built and updated through collection, analysis and interpretation of geotechnical data.
11. Generate monthly geotechnical & project management summaries and/or reports for use in company reporting.
12. Perform project management duties, including, but not limited to: contract review, bid award, cost estimation, schedule tracking, and reporting.
13. Effectively communicate anticipated geotechnical outcomes.
14. Maintain, update, and ensure compliance with the Ground Control Management Plan (GCMP)
15. Ensure that all reporting requirements and licensing conditions by regulatory bodies are met.
16. Supervise, train, and mentor junior engineers, geologists and technicians in all aspects of geotechnical engineering.
17. Be available for on-call support duties shared within the department.
18. Punctuality and regular attendance is required.
19. Maintain accurate records and files.
20. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Geology with industry related discipline such as, or similar to, Geotechnical, Mining, Geological, Structural, or Economic Geology is required.
2. Candidates should have at least 7 to 12 years of mining experience in large scale open-pit metal mining.
3. Thorough understanding of open-pit mining operations as well as a general understanding of milling operations and mine maintenance.

1. Practical experience with advanced geotechnical monitoring instruments and techniques
2. Must have a high level of computer literacy with specialized mining software. Experience with MineSight, Rocscience software packages, and WellCAD preferred.
3. Must have thorough working knowledge and skill using a P.C. utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs.
4. Exposure to electronic/digital blasting systems is preferred.
5. Experience with mine tailings and impoundment facilities is a positive
6. Effective decision-making and problem solving skills.
7. Strong administrative, organizational, and time management skills.
8. Must be a self-starter with the ability to work with others in a team environment.

1. Strong verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.
2. Experience in supervising personnel is preferred.

1. Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state.
2. Ability to function within the qualifications outlined in the attached physical demands sheets.

Reporting Relationships

This role reports to the Technical Services Manager 



 

Legislative Requirements

US work permit required

Language Requirements

English

Travel Requirements

Ability and willingness to travel

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).