Technician, Geotechnical

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description

Job Purpose

Support the Geotechnical Engineer/ Section with day-to-day activities of collecting, monitoring and reporting geotechnical data that will ensure safe and efficient operation of the Sentinel and Enterprise Pits, Waste Rock Dumps and any other areas as required by the business.

Job Responsibility

• Assisting the Geotechnical Engineers with routine inspections of pit walls, benches, ramps, and waste dumps for signs of instability.
• Assist the engineers with Installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of geotechnical monitoring equipment.
• Collect monitoring data according to established procedures.
• Monitor ground movement using prisms, radar systems, piezometers and other geotechnical instruments.
• Responding and reporting any signs of ground instabilities as reported by Dispatch and/or Mine Operations team.
• Assist in identifying geotechnical hazards and recommending mitigation measures.
• Installation of Vibrating wire piezometer sensors and configuration of data loggers.
• Movement and setup of Slope stability radars during blasting and maintenance works.
• Record geological and structural mapping information.
• Assist with supervision of Geotechnical Drilling, Drill Core Management, logging and Sampling.
• Inspect areas of geotechnical concern identified by the mining team and provide practical recommendations for corrective action.
• Conduct Post Blast inspections as a function of continuous blast design optimization.
• Participate in geotechnical investigations following slope failures or rockfall incidents.
• Prepare Daily and Weekly daily reports as per section requirement.
• Upload all geotechnical reports and monitor data to the centralized geotechn ical database.

Specific Competencies

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of Rock Mechanics and Slope Stability Principles.
• Intermediate to proficient Microsoft office skills.
• Ability to interpret geological and geotechnical data.
• Familiarity with Geotechnical Software e.g. Surpac and Rocscience Suite.

Job Attributes

• Strong observational and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Commitment to safety and continuous improvement.

• Comply with all mine safety procedures and statutory regulations.
• Participate in risk assessments and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs).
• Promote safe work practices and report hazards promptly.
• Ensure environmental protection requirements are followed during field activities

Experience required

• Minimum experience of 1-3 years in an open pit Mining environment.
• Experience with IDS and Reutech slope stability radar systems is an advantage.
• Experience with Vibrating wire Piezometers and Total station systems.

Qualifications

• Full Grade 12 Certificate.

• Minimum Diploma in Mining Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering or a related discipline from a recognized institution.
• Must be a holder of a valid Zambian driving licence (minimum B Class Manual).
• Member of  the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ).