Director, UG Operations

 

 

The Director – Underground Operations delivers tactical and operational support that maximizes value for AngloGold Ashanti’s operating assets and projects in Africa, aligned with the Company’s Vision and Values. This role encompasses technical leadership, operational oversight, and strategic guidance across the Africa Business Unit’s underground mining assets and projects.

 

The position ensures that mine designs, operating strategies, and execution plans are safe, practical, and achievable, adhering to AGA global standards while reflecting real-world operating conditions. It bridges engineering, planning, and site execution, influencing outcomes across studies, projects, operational readiness, and active operations, while minimizing delivery risks and enhancing performance.

 

 

 

• Serve as the technical advisor for underground mining across studies, projects, and operations.
• Establish, advise on, and uphold underground mining standards, guidelines, and work practices consistent with AGA global direction.
• Review and endorse mine schedules, production strategies, execution, and operating plans.
• Provide expert contributions to risk assessments, full asset potential programs, internal and external technical reviews, and audits.
• Ensure seamless project transitions from study to execution to operations with clear, feasible operating models.
• Validate that mine plans are constructible, operable, and aligned with fleet capabilities, workforce maturity, and site constraints.
• Identify and address gaps between design assumptions and operational realities.
• Support site teams in resolving complex, high-risk technical and operational challenges.
• Offer guidance and assurance in areas including:
  • Mine design, sequencing, and scheduling
  • Short, medium-, and long-term mine planning
  • Drill and blast design and execution
  • Development and production optimization
  • Underground infrastructure requirements for effective operation

• Drive improvements in Safety outcomes, productivity & unit costs, equipment unitization & reliability, schedule adherence and delivery confidence.
• Coach and mentor senior managers, production managers, superintendents, senior supervisors, engineers and planning teams.
• Build technical and operational capability across sites and projects.
• Influence leaders through credibility, experience, and sound judgement, rather than directive authority.
• Providing support (and reviewing as required) to the ABU operations, annual budget.
• Compile annual BU role budgets for work related office, software, labour, and travel expenses. The estimated direct budget accountability for this role ranges between $1.5mil to $2mil.
• The estimated indirect budget accountability for this role ranges between $200mil to $300mil per site due to this role having direct accountability to compile the fully costed life-of-mine plans.
• Performing reviews to ensure budgets and fully costed mine plans are technically sound and appropriate.
• The manager specifies the financial authorities in accordance with the Board-approved delegation of authorities.

 

 

People are central to our mission. We encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and constructive challenge of the status quo. To be considered, you will demonstrate:

 

 

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Mining Engineering or equivalent.

 

Experience

• Over 20 years of experience in underground mining, including significant site-based operational roles.
• At least 5 years’ experience as an Underground Mining Manager.
• Comprehensive practical understanding of the entire mining value chain, including geology, mining, geotechnical, metallurgy, and projects.
• Proven experience in production mining, mine planning, drill& blast Fleet and operational optimization.
• Demonstrated ability and openness to engage with diverse cultures.
• High energy and enthusiasm for work, with strong performance goals for self and team.
• Willingness to take well-reasoned positions on important matters.
• Preparedness for extensive business travel.
• Strong record of success at managerial levels within the resources industry.
• Proven expertise in business improvement and change management.

 

 

Our workplace embodies dignity and respect for all individuals. We offer challenging work, competitive remuneration regularly adjusted to market conditions, and ample career development opportunities. At AGA, learning is a shared responsibility, and we prioritize your personal development.