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. In 2023, our planned production forecast is over 6 tonnes of gold and 7,000 tonnes of copper.

LXML is now positioning itself for future growth.  With the re-commencement of gold production at Sepon in 2020, and a number of other feasibility studies, a ramp up in exploration and merging and acquisition activity underway, the future for LXML and the Sepon operation is unlimited in potential and opportunity.

To support our operation, we are seeking a qualified candidate in the position of Senior Underground Mine Planning Engineer

Reporting directly to the Senior Superintendent - Mine Operations Excellence, this role will lead the Underground Mine Planning function, providing technical expertise in underground mine design and scheduling to meet the Life of Mine plan. You will be responsible for optimizing and improving the mine planning process and design to reduce costs, tracking operational compliance, blast design plans, forecasts, budgets, and technical aspects of short and medium-term mine planning of underground operations, as well as feasibility studies. You will also engage and collaborate with consultants and contractors in various feasibility studies to extend or add value to the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Timely production of underground blast masters and plans, short-term plans, forecasts, budgets, and reserves.
• Developing cut-off grade strategy and cost parameters for mine planning.
• Reporting, budget preparation, forecasting, and costing.
• Validating mine planning assumptions.
• Optimizing scheduling inputs.
• Implementing the most effective and efficient approaches to improve mine planning and mining processes, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
• Aligning mine and life of asset plans.
• Project management and resource prioritization to achieve agreed business objectives.
• Competency with JORC Code (2012) reporting requirements and experience in gold deposits.
• Critically reviewing processes, systems, and implementing changes to continuously improve and create sustainable systems that support localization.
• Being aware of the design and planning of activities for potential impacts on Health, Safety, and Environment of the operations, as well as any potential adverse impacts on the local communities.
• Demonstrating commitment to safety through visible leadership in the field daily with Lao nationals, creating and developing a safe work culture.
• Coaching and developing Lao staff to be competent in their roles regarding people, resourcing, and scheduling tasks.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Technical qualification/degree in an applicable functional discipline (Tertiary degree in Mine Engineering or equivalent). Preferably post-tertiary qualifications in a technical or management capacity.
• Strong business acumen and sound knowledge of mining cost drivers.
• Proven technical knowledge and skills in the mining industry, including embedding safe design, risk identification, and mitigation in all aspects of mine planning and execution.
• Ability to work in a production environment, especially with open pit and underground optimization, design, and scheduling.
• Proficiency in underground mine planning, project development, prioritization, and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities – the ability to critically review a technical problem and articulate how one issue may be part of a larger system through the application of recognized tools.
• Experience using Vulcan, Whittle, and Deswik applications.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to program VBA.
• Awareness of geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological, and environmental considerations impacting mine designs and schedules.
• 10-15 years of experience working in mine design, grade control, underground mine operating systems, design, or feasibility study work, preferably in a similar-level role.
• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work with other technical services functions, including geology, mining engineering, hydrogeology, geotechnical, and survey.
• Adaptability in a diverse work environment, including a multicultural setting.

This is a fixed term position based in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, offering an attractive 5 days on/2 days off; 4 days on/3 days off FIFO roster to Sepon Mine.  A FIFO roster from point of hire may also be considered for the right candidate. The onsite camp facilities at Sepon include fully serviced air-conditioned rooms, dining halls, convenience store, gym and sporting facilities, and a fully equipped medical centre. An attractive expatriate salary package including a performance based incentive and other benefifts is on offer.  Full relocation and living support such as rental assistance, dependent education support and medical insurance coverage is provided.

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