Chifeng Gold’s Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) operates the Sepon Gold and Copper Operation, located in Vilabouly District, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR. Since operations commenced in 2003, LXML Sepon has produced over 1.1 million tonnes of copper cathode and over 53 tonnes of gold. In 2022, Sepon produced 6,600 tonnes of copper and 6.7 tonnes of gold. Planned production for 2023 is over 6 tonnes of gold and 7,000 tonnes of copper.

LXML is now positioning itself for future growth. With the transition from a copper-focused operation to a gold-focused operation completed in 2020 and with a number of other feasibility studies, a ramp up in exploration and with merger and acquisition activity underway, the future for LXML and the Sepon operation is unlimited in potential and opportunity.

In support of this growth, we are looking for Engineer - Geotechnical to join our team to deliver on our growth plans, and be a part of this exciting future.

To ensure geotechnical stability across the Sepon Operation by providing technical input into designing, scheduling, budgeting, and monitoring of open pits, underground, existing and future tailings storage facilities.

This position contributes to safe, efficient production through problem solving of technical issues, identifying and embedding sustainable process and system improvements and driving the company core values.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Conduct daily monitoring of slopes and underground openings to ensure ground stability.
• Assist to review, update and perform audits against the Sepon Ground Control Management Plan.
• Assist with weekly and monthly reporting.
• Liaise with mine planning, environmental and mine operations staff in regard to hydrological and geotechnical issues and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Maintain geotechnical monitoring programs for mine operations.
• Manage geotechnical drilling programs when required (i.e. diamond drilling, probe drilling).
• Assist to design and implement rehabilitation of geotechnical failures.
• Perform, design, review and sign off on geotechnical aspects of underground and open pit designs.
• Design and installation of underground ground support including shotcrete, splits sets and cable bolts.
• Design and review of underground stopping and pillar placements in a room and pillar operations.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Bachelor of Geotechnical Engineering or a similar field (e.g. Civil Engineering, Geology, Mining Engineering).
• Able to drive and possess a valid driving license.
• Geological and geotechnical core logging skills.
• Knowledgeable about the groundwater and surface water monitoring equipment and instrumentation – extensimeter, inclinometer and vibrating wire piezometers.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage and handle multiple tasks.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in geotechnical work.
• Multiple mine site experience across a variety of commodities and operational environments is preferable.
• Experience in both soft rock and hard rock environments in open cut and underground is preferable.
• Experience in a high rainfall and high groundwater environments will be highly regarded.
• Professional level fluency in the English language.

An attractive salary package, including performance-based incentives and other benefits, is on offer for this role.  This is a great opportunity to join an existing world class mining operation and contribute towards the ongoing development of the biggest and best mining company in the Lao PDR.

Phonsinuan Village, P.O. Box 4486, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel:  +856 21 268 200, NalaoVillage, Kaisone District, Savannakhet Tel:  +856 41 212686