Skeena Gold + Silver Limited is a Canadian mining company with a portfolio of exploration and development projects located in northwest British Columbia, Canada. Our current focus is on the revitalization of the high-grade, past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine. Skeena is committed to leading the industry in reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion and we work in close collaboration with our Indigenous partners, leveraging their traditional knowledge and respect for the land.
As a Skeena employee, you will become part of a dynamic, innovative, and results-driven work environment. Together, alongside colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experience you will help us operate safely, protect the environment, positively contribute to our local communities and build a state of the art mine in Canada. Come join our team to be a part of this amazing opportunity!
Job Title: Senior Mine Engineer
Reporting directly to the Manager, Technical Services, the Senior Mine Engineer is a key contributor to the efficient operation of mining activities, focusing on developing mine plans within a 0-month to 2-year timeframe. This role is responsible for translating the Long Range Plan (LRP) into a practical, executable strategy for monthly and annual operations, ensuring alignment with ore and waste mining objectives.
To create an accurate and achievable plan, the Senior Mine Engineer must account for additional factors beyond those outlined in the LRP, refining strategies for annual budgeting and short-term planning. This position requires a deep understanding of mine engineering principles, including extraction and tailings operations, reclamation planning, geotechnical design, economic assessments, and mine safety.
Responsibilities (including but not limited to):
Mine Planning & Strategy
- Develop mine plans that align with long-term strategies while meeting short-term operational objectives, incorporating factors such as road/access points, waste rock delivery, equipment allocation, and power parameter updates.
- Design short-term mine plans that maximize value while ensuring compliance with safety regulations, environmental policies, legal requirements, and cost constraints, using established engineering principles and industry standards.
- Optimize mine plans and designs to enhance ore extraction while balancing waste stripping ratios with long-term strategic goals.
Drill & Blast Design
- Oversee the design and execution of drill and blast plans, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and timely completion.
Team Communication & Performance Management
- Communicate performance metrics to operations and technical teams, providing clear guidance on optimizing actions.
- Supervise the Short-Range and Mid-Range Planning teams, overseeing shovel planning, placement planning, fleet productivity, drill & blast operations, and specialized projects such as dewatering and pit preparation.
- Ensure team members understand their roles and have the necessary tools, training, and resources to meet performance objectives.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Assist in the development of annual operating plans, budgets, and financial forecasts.
- Align weekly and quarterly mine plans with the annual budget, forecasts, and Long-Range Mine Plans to ensure operational consistency.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety
- Ensure adherence to the Mines Act, permits, regulations, and company policies, ensuring direct reports are well-trained and informed on compliance requirements.
- Promote and implement strong environmental and safety practices, ensuring all activities align with legislative requirements and corporate policies.
Operational Improvement & Cost Efficiency
- Identify opportunities for operational enhancements and recommend improvements to optimize production, safety, and cost efficiency.
Performance Tracking & Reporting
- Monitor and report key performance indicators, including truck productivity, material utilization, production targets, and strip ratios.
- Ensure accurate and timely mine production reporting on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
- Oversee the preparation and communication of weekly mine variance reports to track performance deviations and corrective actions.
Dewatering Systems Management
- Monitor and manage dewatering systems to ensure they align with mine plan requirements and maintain safety standards.
Special Projects & Feedback
- Provide feedback to Long-Range Engineering teams regarding post-forecast operations to improve planning accuracy.
- Support planning and execution of special projects as needed.
The Ideal Candidate
Education / Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mine Engineering or a related discipline (required).
- Eng. designation (registration with EGBC preferred).
Experience / Skills
- Minimum 7 years of open-pit mining experience in both technical and production roles, with increasing levels of responsibility.
- Proficiency in mine planning, design, and scheduling software packages.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to make data-driven recommendations.
- Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner, demonstrating excellent time management skills.
- Hands-on project management experience, with exposure to greenfield or brownfield start-up projects considered an asset.
- Detail oriented with excessive attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Exhibits a high degree of responsibility for confidential matters
- Effective team player who can jump in wherever is needed
- Strong interpersonal and reasoning skills, with proven problem-solving abilities
- Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as with others
Work Location & Conditions
This is a site-based camp job at Eskay Creek Mine site. This position involves working at a remote mine site on a 15 days on/13 days off rotation.
The Eskay Creek Revitalization Project is located within the Coast Mountains of Northwestern British Columbia and Tahltan Territory. Ground transportation will be provided from local communities to the Eskay Creek Site facilities. For those applicants located elsewhere in western Canada, flight transportation from major urban centers will be provided to the Terrace or Smithers airports, from which shuttles will provide transportation to the Eskay Creek Camp facilities. Travel time and expenses are subject to Skeena’s Travel Policy.
There will be exposure to extreme temperatures in all seasons including working outdoors in snow, mud, ice, and water conditions, walking to and from different locations on uneven ground, prolonged periods of standing and physically handling/lifting/moving heavy objects.
All Applicants MUST be legally entitled to work in Canada. Priority hiring consideration will be given to Indigenous Nations members who reside within the territories our projects are located.
Compensation
The expected salary range for this position is CA$130,000 - CA$150,000, in line with the competitive job market for such roles carried out in British Columbia. Salary ranges are guidelines and any job offer received by a candidate will be determined on a number of factors such as relevant education, training, and/or experience.
We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.