Principal Business Planner

About South32

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people’s lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources. We produce bauxite, alumina, aluminium, metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc at our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have two development options in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

At South32, Corporate Development is accountable for developing and implementing portfolio strategy. Our Chile office supports South32’s corporate development activity in the Americas.

Discover a Brighter Future 

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world. As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives. Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Responsible for Joint Venture (JV) management & strategy, business planning, mine planning and optimization, performance analysis and projects evaluation for Chile Copper, in coordination with the Sierra Gorda Joint Venture (SG JV) partners. 

The Business Planner will contribute to the technical aspects of the mine design and planning for Sierra Gorda JV as part of a collaborative team, understanding the performance of the Sierra Gorda JV mine operation from a safety, volume, and cost perspective, ensuring the long term mine plan is a fully dynamic blueprint for the operation to reach its full value potential. 

Coordination and preparation of annual budget, costs and production aimed at monitoring and mine projects analysis, production costs, sustaining capex, watching the direction and supporting managing improvement initiatives into the SG JV. 

Individual accountabilities

• Ensure implementation of best practice guidelines for the long-term mine planning, aligned to strategic direction and optimized to deliver the best outcome for the business.
• Supports Life of Operation plan-related discussions with specific operations and stakeholders.
• Supports Analysis to improve Strategic Planning, making strategic recommendations to unlock the full potential of the asset.
• Discuss and build consensus with stakeholders as it pertains to Sierra Gorda current performance, issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Active participation in preparation and maintenance of LoOP at SG JV, incorporating into the valuation model (RSM) and providing analytical support on mineral resources and mine optimization.
• Ensures the timely delivery of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve information in accordance with the JORC Code.
• Maintain relationship with South32 operations to ensure governance and compliance with South32 planning standards and systems.
• Committees  participation to support Chile Copper in the JVs Management ensuring adequate sustainable implementation of JV Management Framework.
• Lead mine operation improvement initiatives that drive superior values to the shareholders.
• Analysis and problem solving
• Analysing operational and equipment utilization, layouts, operational data and production schedules and costs to determine optimum efficiencies and reflect them in the plan and associated plan actions.
• Interpolate the impact of the South32 strategic plan as well as the South32 marketing plan and ensure the required impacts to the specific operation/s are analysed and responded to.
• Identify improvement opportunities on the Business Planning function to support Sierra Gorda JV.

ABOUT YOU 

Qualification/s Required

Bachelor s degree in mining or geology. Second degree or postgraduate is preferred.

Technical/Specialist Skills Required

• Mining or Geology background, with experience in copper mining, planning strategies and Resource and Reserve estimation process.
• In-depth knowledge of planning software and systems.
• Deep mine optimization experience, proven exposure to open pit mine planning and strategic planning.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary projects with strong focus on stakeholder engagement.
• Strong technical experience in open pit mining including the ability to identify and analyse options whilst appropriately applying mining constraints.
• Understanding of JORC code and its application across multiple commodities.

Experience

More than 10 years of proven Mine Planning and / or Mine Operations.

Competencies

• Strong communication skills speaking and writing in Spanish and English
• Team management and team building skills, value to work with multicultural teams
• Has business acumen and drives value
• Drives innovation and improvement
• Creates trust, inclusive and collaborative
• Focus in delivering outstanding results with effective organizational skills
• Constructive engagement approach
• Able to work under pressure and tight timeframes

Our culture

At South32, our people are fundamental to our success. We’re focused on creating an inclusive workplace, with the right people in the right roles, who are engaged, empowered and appropriately rewarded.

We aspire to be an inclusive organisation, where our workforce reflects the broader demographic of the countries and communities where we operate.

South32 embraces diversity and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.