Senior Ventilation Engineer

K92 Mining Limited are the owners the high-grade Kainantu Gold Mine in Eastern Highlands Province. Since commencing operations in 2016, we have delivered consistent production growth. More importantly, we have contributed significantly to the economy of Papua New Guinea, more than 90% of our employees and contractors are from PNG and our local education and skills development initiatives which include scholarships, traineeships and adult literacy programs continue to bring significant benefit the communities in which we operate. 

We are now transforming the operation with a new 1.2 mtpa process plant as well as extensive construction and expansion across site that will see us triple the output from our mine by 2027. In addition to our ongoing production success, we have an extensive exploration programme across our highly prospective tenement, making K92 a great place to build a long-term career.

In this role you will assist the Technical Services Manager and Superintendents in providing a world-class ventilation service ensuring safe, efficient and complaint underground working conditions at our expanding underground gold mine in the Eastern Highlands of PNG. You will be a problem solver, with great attention to detail who thrives working on underground ventilation strategies, ventilation modelling and short- to long-term planning assistance. In addition, you will supervise, mentor and develop graduate ventilation engineers and technicians.

• Coordinate and manage daily, weekly, monthly and long-term ventilation activities, plans and reporting to achieve operational, safety, compliance and cost objectives.
• Develop and maintain short-, medium- and long-term ventilation plans aligned with mine development schedules, production requirements and life-of-mine strategies.
• Manage the Ventsim ventilation model, ensuring accurate representation of the underground ventilation network and using modelling and simulation to assess airflow, identify constraints and optimise system performance.
• Develop, implement and maintain ventilation standards, procedures, design criteria and the Ventilation Management Plan in accordance with PNG mining legislation, statutory requirements and company standards.
• Plan and coordinate ventilation infrastructure requirements, including primary and auxiliary fans, ventilation raises, airways, regulators, doors, ducting and associated systems.
• Conduct and review ventilation surveys, monitoring programs, airflow assessments and performance reports to verify system effectiveness and compliance.
• Identify, assess and manage ventilation risks relating to air quality, heat, dust, diesel particulate matter and other underground atmospheric hazards.
• Integrate ventilation requirements into mine planning and scheduling to ensure adequate ventilation is available for planned development, production and future mining areas.
• Identify ventilation improvement opportunities, infrastructure constraints and capital requirements, and develop strategies to support safe and efficient mine expansion.
• Ensure ventilation changes are appropriately assessed, approved, documented and implemented through the site Management of Change process.
• Maintain accurate ventilation plans, drawings, surveys, monitoring records, model outputs and statutory documentation.
• Communicate ventilation plans, requirements, restrictions and changes effectively to Mine Operations and the underground workforce.
• Provide technical advice to site management on ventilation performance, operational risks, infrastructure requirements and compliance matters.
• Establish and maintain ventilation engineering standards, operating procedures, inspection requirements and technical specifications.
• Regularly review ventilation processes, systems and standards to improve safety, reliability, efficiency and operational performance.
• Ensure quality assurance and quality control of ventilation designs, calculations, modelling, surveys and technical deliverables.
• Investigate ventilation deficiencies and system performance issues, implement corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness.
• Support ventilation emergency preparedness, including the review of emergency response procedures and ventilation failure scenarios.
• Provide direct supervision, leadership and performance management of the ventilation technician team.
• Plan and coordinate technician activities, including ventilation surveys, inspections, monitoring, installations and maintenance support.
• Establish work priorities, schedules and performance expectations to ensure timely completion of ventilation activities.
• Ensure monitoring equipment is maintained, calibrated and fit for purpose.
• Develop national ventilation technician capability through structured training, coaching, competency assessments and succession planning.
• Develop a cohesive, accountable and technically competent ventilation team.
• Understand and communicate site management priorities, operational requirements and business objectives.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with Mine Operations, Technical Services, Maintenance and other departments to achieve safe and efficient outcomes.
• Ensure ventilation systems and associated controls support a safe underground working environment and comply with applicable PNG mining legislation, statutory requirements and site standards.
• Communicate regularly with team members regarding occupational health and safety matters and promote proactive hazard identification and risk management.
• Conduct and oversee workplace inspections, audits and safety performance reviews to verify compliance with statutory and company requirements.
• Ensure ventilation incidents, failures, hazardous atmospheric conditions and other safety events are promptly investigated, reported and communicated, with corrective actions tracked to completion.
• Establish clear expectations for personal protective equipment and ensure employees receive appropriate training and equipment.
• Manage and oversee relevant employee safety training and competency requirements.
• Ensure ventilation risks are incorporated into risk assessments, operating procedures, emergency response planning and Management of Change processes.
• Comply with environmental management requirements, sustainability measures and site policies.
• Support environmental compliance through appropriate ventilation planning, monitoring and management of underground air quality and associated environmental risks.

To be considered for this role it is essential that you must have a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering and must have mining operational experience with 8 years of technical experience in a similar role. In addition to this, you will have some or all the following.

• Ability to register with the IEPNG as a professional member.
• Sound working knowledge of DESWIK software is essential.
• Expert use and knowledge of VentSIM software is essential.
• Sound working knowledge of MS Office products including MS Access
• Completion of 12 months underground time
• Previous experience in Narrow Vein Mining 

K92 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, our commitment is to respect the rights of every individual to work to their highest potential, free from discrimination.  Our values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect for others, Excellence and Safety are at the core of everything we do, and they are the foundation upon which our success has been built.

Our camp is well managed and provides residents with good, healthy meals made from locally sourced fresh produce as well as internet, cable tv and a gymnasium.

At K92, we want all employees to share in our success, so as well as a competitive salary, employees also participate in our long- and short-term incentive plans, we also provide employees with access to savings incentive programs, medical assistance and the option to salary sacrifice for certain expenses.

In addition to all of this, employees can also access our Wellbeing and employee assistance programs whilst working a friendly roster. 

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