Freelance Consultant – Underground Geotechnical, Ground Control Specialist

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

📋 Description

• Review and assess Ground Control procedures, standards, and management plans.

• Evaluate operational procedures related to geotechnical inspections and underground excavation management.

• Examine excavation classification, clearance, and re-entry criteria.

• Assess the design, installation, verification, and maintenance requirements for ground support.

• Analyze procedures for rock bolts, cable bolts, mesh installation, and shotcrete application.

• Review methods for scaling, loose-rock management, and unsupported ground controls.

• Evaluate processes for Ground Control monitoring and geotechnical hazard reporting.

• Assist in the development and validation of Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).

• Identify discrepancies between engineering requirements and field execution.

• Define actionable inspection, authorization, verification, and stop-work criteria.

• Facilitate workshops that involve geotechnical, operational, safety, and contractor teams.

• Offer recommendations to enhance operational and safety risk controls.

• Provide technical expertise during procedure reviews and operational risk assessments.

• Translate geotechnical requirements and Critical Controls into actionable instructions for supervisors, operators, contractors, and operational leadership teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, Ground Control, or closely related fields.

• Ideally, 7+ years of experience in underground mining operations.

• Strong hands-on experience in supporting Ground Control systems within underground mines.

• Experience in underground mine development, expansion, construction, operational readiness, or ramp-up activities.

• Prior involvement in developing, reviewing, or implementing Ground Control standards, procedures, and management systems.

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

• Experience in contractor-heavy mining environments is a plus.

• Capable of reviewing geotechnical designs and converting technical requirements into operational procedures.

• Skilled at identifying discrepancies between engineering specifications and field execution.

• Strong analytical and critical thinking capabilities.

• Ability to establish measurable inspection, verification, and operational hold-point criteria.

• Experience in leading technical workshops with multidisciplinary stakeholders.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication abilities.

• Proficient in writing clear and practical technical documentation in English.

• Ability to constructively challenge existing practices and suggest improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related field.

• A postgraduate qualification in Mining Geotechnics, Rock Mechanics, or Ground Control is preferred.

• Professional registration or equivalent certification, if applicable.

• Fluency in English is required.

• Proficiency in Portuguese and/or Spanish is highly advantageous.

• Must be authorized to work legally in the country of application.

🏝️ Benefits

• Project-based freelance Subject Matter Expert engagement.

• Opportunity to influence safety performance, risk management, and key operational decisions.

• Collaboration with seasoned technical and operational leaders.

• Involvement in a multidisciplinary team supporting a significant underground mining expansion project.

• Chance to make a lasting impact on operational performance and safety results.

• Culture of diversity and inclusion.