Freelance Consultant – Mine Ventilation, Fire and Emergency Response Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Brazil, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Examine and assess underground ventilation procedures, standards, and management frameworks.

• Analyze primary, secondary, and auxiliary ventilation methods.

• Evaluate ventilation assessments, monitoring techniques, and atmospheric testing protocols.

• Review post-blast ventilation and procedures for underground re-entry.

• Assess actions taken in response to ventilation failures, alarms, and unusual atmospheric conditions.

• Analyze underground fire prevention, detection, and emergency response protocols.

• Evaluate strategies for smoke propagation response and ventilation management during emergencies.

• Review emergency communication methods, evacuation protocols, refuge chamber plans, and escape route management.

• Assist in the creation and validation of emergency preparedness strategies and response protocols.

• Identify discrepancies between engineering specifications and operational implementation.

• Lead workshops with teams from engineering, operations, maintenance, emergency response, safety, and contractors.

• Offer recommendations to enhance operational and safety risk management controls.

• Convert ventilation requirements, operational contexts, emergency situations, and Critical Controls into actionable procedures for on-site personnel.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in underground mining operations.

• A minimum of 5 years directly involved in underground mine ventilation.

• Background in the design, operation, commissioning, optimization, or management of underground ventilation systems.

• Hands-on experience conducting ventilation assessments and evaluating underground atmospheric conditions.

• Experience in developing, reviewing, or executing operational and emergency response protocols.

• Familiarity with supporting underground emergency preparedness and response initiatives.

• Experience in conducting technical reviews, audits, operational evaluations, or risk assessments.

• Background in supporting mine development, operational readiness, expansion, or ramp-up projects is a plus.

• Capability to translate ventilation designs and technical calculations into feasible operational procedures.

• Ability to define atmospheric monitoring standards and acceptable operating limits.

• Competence in establishing objective criteria for post-blast re-entry.

• Skill in defining responses to ventilation issues, alarms, and abnormal atmospheric conditions.

• Proficiency in integrating fire scenarios into ventilation management and evacuation strategies.

• Ability to evaluate escape plans, refuge arrangements, and emergency communication systems.

• Skill in developing procedures outlining responsibilities, authorization requirements, operational controls, and stop-work criteria.

• Capability to plan, facilitate, and assess underground emergency drills and simulations.

• Ability to lead technical workshops involving engineering, operations, maintenance, emergency response, and contractor teams.

• Excellent technical writing skills, with the ability to produce clear documentation in English.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field.

• Professional registration or equivalent certification, where applicable.

• Proficiency in English is required.

• Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is highly desirable.

• Freelance expertise in underground mine ventilation, fire prevention, and emergency response.

🏝️ Benefits

• A purpose-driven organization dedicated to enhancing safety performance, improving risk management, and supporting crucial operational decisions.

• Collaboration with knowledgeable technical and operational leaders.

• Involvement in a multidisciplinary team of industry experts.

• Opportunity to make a lasting impact through procedures and controls that influence long-term operational performance and safety results.

• A culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.