Principal Geotech OP​/UG

Company Description

At De Beers Group our purpose is to Make Life Brilliant.

We believe that a sustainable business is purposeful, competitive, resilient and agile – it’s a business that thrives through both economic and social cycles. By understanding the context and listening to stakeholders we stay ahead of evolving trends and provide the solutions to societal expectations. By solving the physical challenges of mining through relentless innovation, and constantly searching for more responsible ways to do business, we are changing the way our employees and stakeholders experience our business – creating enduring value for all stakeholders.

Sustainability is at the heart of our decision-making – it is how we do business.

At De Beers Group our purpose is to Make Life Brilliant.

We believe that a sustainable business is purposeful, competitive, resilient and agile – it’s a business that thrives through both economic and social cycles. By understanding the context and listening to stakeholders we stay ahead of evolving trends and provide the solutions to societal expectations. By solving the physical challenges of mining through relentless innovation, and constantly searching for more responsible ways to do business, we are changing the way our employees and stakeholders experience our business – creating enduring value for all stakeholders.

Sustainability is at the heart of our decision-making – it is how we do business.

The Mining function within Technical & Sustainability enables safe, efficient and value-driven mining operations across De Beers Group by providing technical governance, assurance, standards development and specialist expertise.

The purpose of this role is to serve as the Group subject matter expert for Underground Geotechnical Engineering, providing technical leadership, governance and assurance across operations, projects and growth initiatives. The role is accountable for the development of geotechnical strategy, management of geotechnical risk, establishment of technical standards, and delivery of assurance activities supporting safe, sustainable and optimised mining operations.

• Develop and maintain Group geotechnical strategy.
• Define geotechnical standards, frameworks and leading practices.
• Drive implementation and embedment of geotechnical governance requirements.
• Support operational compliance with geotechnical standards.

• Provide specialist geotechnical support to operations and projects.
• Guide operations on management of geotechnical risk.
• Support mine design, excavation design and waste dump design reviews.
• Provide technical input to Life of Asset Planning activities.
• Evaluate geotechnical risks and opportunities across the portfolio.

• Provide second-line assurance activities.
• Coordinate third-line assurance reviews.
• Assess compliance against technical standards and requirements.
• Support project assurance and readiness reviews.
• Review operational geotechnical strategies and performance.

• Identify opportunities for modernisation and improvement.
• Support development of technology roadmaps.
• Drive adoption of emerging geotechnical technologies.
• Promote innovation and technical excellence across operations.

• Support operations facing critical geotechnical risks.
• Provide specialist input to significant projects.
• Review project specifications and design criteria.
• Support business planning and operational improvement initiatives.

• Identify discipline capability gaps and development needs.
• Support succession planning for critical geotechnical roles.
• Provide coaching and mentoring across the discipline.
• Promote knowledge sharing and technical development.

• Degree in Mining Engineering, Geology, Rock Mechanics or related discipline.
• Government Certificate of Competency.
• Valid Driver’s Licence.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Professional membership (e.g. SANIRE) advantageous.
• Minimum 10 years' senior…