• Short-Range Mining Engineer

    Turner Mining Group (Tucson, AZ)


    Position Overview

    The Short-Range Mining Engineer plays a key role in producing and updating operational mine plans covering timelines from the upcoming month out to one year. This position ensures that short-term designs are practical, geotechnically sound, and aligned with production targets for an open-pit copper operation processing sulfide ore. Working under the direction of the Chief Mining Engineer, the engineer collaborates extensively with Geology, Survey, Processing, and Operations to convert medium-range strategies into actionable bench-level guidance. The role involves preparing dig-ready designs, sequencing pit progression, managing material routing, and supporting daily production execution. Cross-functional development within the broader mine planning group is expected.

    Primary Duties

    + Produce, update, and communicate rolling short-term mine plans (1–12 months), ensuring they reflect production priorities, operational conditions, and the mid-range strategic plan.

    + Create pit advancement designs such as bench configurations, dig polygons, ore boundaries, and drilling layouts that comply with geotechnical, safety, and operational guidelines.

    + Partner closely with Drill & Blast engineers to develop spacing, burden, timing, and initiation parameters that promote optimal fragmentation, minimize dilution, and support practical field execution.

    + Coordinate with Mine Geology to integrate grade control interpretations, ore/waste delineation, and material classifications into daily and weekly dig plans.

    + Build detailed material movement and routing plans, including directing sulfide ore to the appropriate crushers and stockpile locations while meeting blending and processing specifications.

    + Prepare operational guidance including haulage instructions, shovel-ready maps, blast clearance diagrams, and related documentation for use by Production and Control Room teams.

    + Track adherence to the short-range plan by comparing design intent against survey pickups, adjusting schedules and designs to account for ground conditions, equipment utilization, or shifting production needs.

    + Apply Hexagon MinePlan 3D and related short-term planning tools (e.g., Activity Scheduler, haulage modules) to design, model, visualize, and monitor short-term mining performance.

    + Participate in routine operational meetings to present progress updates, compliance metrics, and corrective actions for the planning horizon.

    + Provide inputs to monthly forecasts, budgeting cycles, and reconciliations, ensuring that short-term assumptions and outcomes are accurately captured.

    + Work alongside Medium-Range and Long-Range Planning teams to support integrated mine scheduling, share feedback on execution, and support cross-training initiatives.

    + Maintain traceable documentation of assumptions, design changes, schedules, and planning decisions to support transparency, operational learning, and continuous improvement.

    Qualifications

    + Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or a closely aligned discipline.

    + At least 2 years of professional experience in open-pit mine engineering or mine operations.

    + Proficiency with Hexagon MinePlan software, including MinePlan 3D, Activity Scheduler, haulage/scheduling tools, MPSO, and related short-term design applications.

    + Strong technical understanding of open-pit mining practices, including drilling and blasting, ore control processes, pit sequencing, and material handling.

    + Ability to work effectively in a dynamic production environment and communicate clearly with both field personnel and technical teams.

    + Strong analytical abilities coupled with solid communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.