Role Title: | Strategic Mine Planning Superintendent |
Reports to: | Principal Mine Engineer |
Job Type: | Full-time, Regular |
Location: | Tucson, AZ |
About Hudbay:
Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru, and the United States.
Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production. Hudbay’s growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona, the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.
The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people, our communities, and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives, and create better futures for communities.”
Mission:
Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.
Purpose of Role:
The Strategic Mine Planning Superintendent plays a pivotal role in shaping the future and maximizing the long-term economic value of our mining operations. You will serve as the primary architect behind our Life-of-Mine (LOM) plan, leading pit and phase optimizations, and executing complex trade-off studies that drive major
capital investments. Success in this critical position means effectively bridging the gap between
the company's broader growth vision and the execution of a technically robust, financially
optimized mine plan.
ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Strategic and Long-Term Mine Planning & Design
- Design & Layout: Design long-term mine infrastructure, including ultimate pit limits, waste storage facilities, stockpiles, haul roads, and primary crushing/material handling sequencing.
- Infrastructure Design Integration: Integrate Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) infrastructure elements into the Life-of-Mine (LOM) plan. This includes designing autonomous operating zones (AOZs), specialized dual-lane hauling corridors, automated intersections, and dedicated AHS/manned vehicle choke points.
- Life-of-Mine (LOM) Plan Development: Develop, maintain, and continuously update the comprehensive LOM plan based on the latest resource models, cost data, and geotechnical, regulatory, and operational constraints. •
- Economic Optimization: Conduct ultimate pit limit optimizations, pushback designs, and phase sequencing using strategic planning tools (e.g., Whittle, NPV Scheduler, Minemax Scheduler) to maximize the project's Net Present Value (NPV).
- Mineral Reserves & Resources: Develop the basis of estimate and prepare accurate reporting for the annual Mineral Reserves and Resources statement.
- Safety & Compliance: Prioritize safety in all mine plans and designs, ensuring that development supports safe operations and adheres to all relevant safety protocols and regulations.
- Cost Modeling: Develop and maintain detailed long-range cost models, incorporating capital expenditures (CapEx) for equipment and infrastructure, alongside operating expenditures (OpEx) for drilling/blasting, loading/haulage, and processing.
- Scenario & Trade-Off Analysis: Conduct in-depth economic trade-off studies (e.g., cut-off grade optimization, stockpiling strategies, pit expansion timing) using Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) modeling to support critical business decisions.
- Budget Support: Translate long-term strategic models into the foundation for actionable 5- year plans and support the execution of annual budgets and rolling forecast updates.
- Technical Integration & Compliance
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the primary interface between the Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrogeology, Processing, Environmental, and Finance teams to ensure all technical and cost inputs are seamlessly integrated and aligned within the strategic plan.
- Geotechnical & Hydrological Integration: Incorporate slope stability parameters, dewatering strategies, surface water control requirements, and other critical technical constraints into mine design and planning to ensure operational safety and viability.
- Reporting & Compliance: Draft comprehensive technical documentation for Mineral Reserve reporting (e.g., SEC S-K 1300/NI 43-101), environmental permitting, and business case presentations for senior management and stakeholders.
- Reconciliation: Support the continuous reconciliation process by comparing actual operational performance against the long-term plan, identifying root causes for variances, and adjusting strategic plans accordingly.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:
- Education: A Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering is required.
- Industry Experience: 10+ years of proven mine engineering experience in open-pit operations, including at least 5 years dedicated to strategic and long-term mine planning, preferably in operations of a similar scale.
- Technical Expertise: * Demonstrated expertise in life-of-mine mine planning, feasibility studies, and financial evaluations.
- Expert-level knowledge of specialized mine planning and optimization software (such as Whittle, Hexagon MinePlan 3D/MPSO, Haulage Simulators, or Minemax Scheduler).
- Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of open-pit mine optimization principles, NPV modeling, and strategic mine design.
- Competency in financial modeling and economic analysis, including Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation and cost-benefit analysis.
- Additional Requirements: Must be able to prove ownership of a current and valid driver's license (as driving a company, rental, or personal vehicle is expected). Successful completion of a physical and drug screening, as well as educational and criminal background checks, is also required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced Degree: A post-graduate degree in Engineering, Business (MBA), or a related field is considered a strong asset.
- AHS Experience: Direct experience in the planning, implementation, or operational transition of Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) is highly desirable.
- Software Familiarity: Expert knowledge of specialized RPMGlobal Xeras cost estimator software is desirable.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Other Requirements:
Employee will be expected to drive a company vehicle, rental vehicle and/or their own vehicle while performing the job. Employee must be able to prove that they have a current and valid driver's license.
Why Hudbay?
- At Hudbay, our values of Dignity & Respect, Caring, Openness, and Trustworthiness are embedded into our culture by the way we work and how we interact with one another.
- We pride ourselves in providing our employees with competitive total rewards that include:
- Annual performance bonuses
- Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family.
- Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability.
- 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
- An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay.
- Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.
Hudbay is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates may be required to undergo educational and criminal background checks. Chosen candidates will be required to successfully pass a physical and drug screening.
