Superintendent, Operations - Tailings
2026-01-21T14:44:37+00:00
First Quantum Minerals Ltd
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https://first-quantum.com/
FULL_TIME
Zambia
Lusaka
10101
Zambia
Mining
Management, Science & Engineering, Business Operations, Energy & Mining, Construction
2026-01-31T17:00:00+00:00
8
Purpose
This critical leadership position is accountable for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation and construction of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at FQM Kansanshi Mining Plc (KMP). The role demands a unique blend of operational leadership and a strong technical focus, encompassing civil and geotechnical engineering expertise as well as rigorous environmental management. The successful candidate will drive best practices, manage complex construction projects, and ensure the ongoing structural integrity and environmental compliance of the facility, upholding the highest industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE): Lead and enforce stringent SHE standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with all applicable local, national, and international regulations (e.g., GISTM, ANCOLD, ICOLD, national mining regulations).
- Operational Oversight: Direct daily TSF operations, including tailings deposition, water balance management (decant return), and infrastructure maintenance, to meet life-of-mine (LOM) plans and production requirements.
- Construction Management: Oversee and manage all TSF construction activities, including embankment raises, pipeline systems installation, and drainage structures, ensuring they are executed according to the approved design and engineering standards.
- Quality Control & Assurance (QA/QC): Manage the functions of construction quality control (CQC) and oversee quality assurance (CQA) for all construction and operational activities, ensuring material and construction standards are met.
- Technical Support and Analysis: Provide expert technical guidance on geotechnical, civil, and structural aspects. Coordinate the analysis of geotechnical and hydrological data (e.g., piezometer readings, pond levels) to inform decision-making and ensure structural integrity, lead geotechnical investigations and interpretation of advance lab testing results.
- Risk Management: Develop, maintain, and manage the TSF risk register. Identify potential risks, develop corrective actions to mitigate them, and monitor implementation across the facility's life cycle.
- Planning and Budgeting: Collaborate on short-term and long-term TSF planning, including annual operating and capital budgets. Manage and monitor expenditures and track project timelines.
- Compliance and Audits: Coordinate with third-party consultants and auditors for independent assessments and support all audit processes to maintain comprehensive records of compliance with regulatory and company standards.
- Leadership and Mentoring: Supervise, train, and mentor operational and technical teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Manage contractors to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Operational Oversight: Lead and direct daily operations across multiple departments or processes (e.g., production, maintenance, logistics, public works divisions) to meet or exceed performance
Qualifications
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree in any of the following relevant fields: Mining Engineering, Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Geology/Rock Engineering
- Must hold a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering
- Must hold additional studies in any of the following relevant fields: Tailings management, Construction Project Management, Numerical modelling, Limit Equilibrium, and Finite Element, Plaxis, Flac2D, GeoStudio, SlopeW
Experience
- 10 years’ Experience in TSF
- Proved experience with cyclone deposition methodology
- Experience operating Upstream Facilities
- Construction Experience in Upstream and Downstream tailings dams
- Experience managing larger projects +5M dollars
- Proven experience operating sites with throughput over 20M tonnes per year
- Experience leading a multidisciplinary team composed of Locals and expats
- Experience in managing construction contractors
- Management of Multidisciplinary consultants
- Experience managing facilities aligned with GISTM.
Behavioural Traits
- Bolder: Flexible, versatile, and prepared to take on challenges as needed
- Smarter: always looks for efficiencies and better ways of doing things
- Driven: Sets high standards, is motivated and determined
- Together: communicate well with peers, understand others’ views and have a collaborative mindset
- Safety-oriented mindset
- Demonstrates a strong ability to lead and coach.
Operational Requirements
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding of mining legislation, SOPs and operational procedures.
- Safety Awareness: Knowledge of safety protocols and risk assessment methodologies.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to tackle practical, production-oriented problems through mini-projects.
- Project Management: Skills in managing projects, including planning, execution and reporting.
- Behavioural Competencies: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are required, along with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
- Legal Appointment: Eligibility to hold a legal appointment according to local Mining Regulations.
* Lead and enforce stringent SHE standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with all applicable local, national, and international regulations (e.g., GISTM, ANCOLD, ICOLD, national mining regulations). * Direct daily TSF operations, including tailings deposition, water balance management (decant return), and infrastructure maintenance, to meet life-of-mine (LOM) plans and production requirements. * Oversee and manage all TSF construction activities, including embankment raises, pipeline systems installation, and drainage structures, ensuring they are executed according to the approved design and engineering standards. * Manage the functions of construction quality control (CQC) and oversee quality assurance (CQA) for all construction and operational activities, ensuring material and construction standards are met. * Provide expert technical guidance on geotechnical, civil, and structural aspects. Coordinate the analysis of geotechnical and hydrological data (e.g., piezometer readings, pond levels) to inform decision-making and ensure structural integrity, lead geotechnical investigations and interpretation of advance lab testing results. * Develop, maintain, and manage the TSF risk register. Identify potential risks, develop corrective actions to mitigate them, and monitor implementation across the facility's life cycle. * Collaborate on short-term and long-term TSF planning, including annual operating and capital budgets. Manage and monitor expenditures and track project timelines. * Coordinate with third-party consultants and auditors for independent assessments and support all audit processes to maintain comprehensive records of compliance with regulatory and company standards. * Supervise, train, and mentor operational and technical teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Manage contractors to ensure safe and efficient operations. * Lead and direct daily operations across multiple departments or processes (e.g., production, maintenance, logistics, public works divisions) to meet or exceed performance
* Understanding of mining legislation, SOPs and operational procedures. * Knowledge of safety protocols and risk assessment methodologies. * Ability to tackle practical, production-oriented problems through mini-projects. * Skills in managing projects, including planning, execution and reporting. * Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are required, along with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues. * Eligibility to hold a legal appointment according to local Mining Regulations.
* Must hold a bachelor’s degree in any of the following relevant fields: Mining Engineering, Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Geology/Rock Engineering * Must hold a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering * Must hold additional studies in any of the following relevant fields: Tailings management, Construction Project Management, Numerical modelling, Limit Equilibrium, and Finite Element, Plaxis, Flac2D, GeoStudio, SlopeW
JOB-6970e655733ec
Vacancy title:
Superintendent, Operations - Tailings
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Mining, Category: Management, Science & Engineering, Business Operations, Energy & Mining, Construction]
Jobs at:
First Quantum Minerals Ltd
Deadline of this Job:
Saturday, January 31 2026
Duty Station:
Zambia | Lusaka
Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, January 21 2026, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
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JOB DETAILS:
Purpose
This critical leadership position is accountable for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation and construction of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at FQM Kansanshi Mining Plc (KMP). The role demands a unique blend of operational leadership and a strong technical focus, encompassing civil and geotechnical engineering expertise as well as rigorous environmental management. The successful candidate will drive best practices, manage complex construction projects, and ensure the ongoing structural integrity and environmental compliance of the facility, upholding the highest industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE): Lead and enforce stringent SHE standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with all applicable local, national, and international regulations (e.g., GISTM, ANCOLD, ICOLD, national mining regulations).
- Operational Oversight: Direct daily TSF operations, including tailings deposition, water balance management (decant return), and infrastructure maintenance, to meet life-of-mine (LOM) plans and production requirements.
- Construction Management: Oversee and manage all TSF construction activities, including embankment raises, pipeline systems installation, and drainage structures, ensuring they are executed according to the approved design and engineering standards.
- Quality Control & Assurance (QA/QC): Manage the functions of construction quality control (CQC) and oversee quality assurance (CQA) for all construction and operational activities, ensuring material and construction standards are met.
- Technical Support and Analysis: Provide expert technical guidance on geotechnical, civil, and structural aspects. Coordinate the analysis of geotechnical and hydrological data (e.g., piezometer readings, pond levels) to inform decision-making and ensure structural integrity, lead geotechnical investigations and interpretation of advance lab testing results.
- Risk Management: Develop, maintain, and manage the TSF risk register. Identify potential risks, develop corrective actions to mitigate them, and monitor implementation across the facility's life cycle.
- Planning and Budgeting: Collaborate on short-term and long-term TSF planning, including annual operating and capital budgets. Manage and monitor expenditures and track project timelines.
- Compliance and Audits: Coordinate with third-party consultants and auditors for independent assessments and support all audit processes to maintain comprehensive records of compliance with regulatory and company standards.
- Leadership and Mentoring: Supervise, train, and mentor operational and technical teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Manage contractors to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Operational Oversight: Lead and direct daily operations across multiple departments or processes (e.g., production, maintenance, logistics, public works divisions) to meet or exceed performance
Qualifications
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree in any of the following relevant fields: Mining Engineering, Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Geology/Rock Engineering
- Must hold a master’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering
- Must hold additional studies in any of the following relevant fields: Tailings management, Construction Project Management, Numerical modelling, Limit Equilibrium, and Finite Element, Plaxis, Flac2D, GeoStudio, SlopeW
Experience
- 10 years’ Experience in TSF
- Proved experience with cyclone deposition methodology
- Experience operating Upstream Facilities
- Construction Experience in Upstream and Downstream tailings dams
- Experience managing larger projects +5M dollars
- Proven experience operating sites with throughput over 20M tonnes per year
- Experience leading a multidisciplinary team composed of Locals and expats
- Experience in managing construction contractors
- Management of Multidisciplinary consultants
- Experience managing facilities aligned with GISTM.
Behavioural Traits
- Bolder: Flexible, versatile, and prepared to take on challenges as needed
- Smarter: always looks for efficiencies and better ways of doing things
- Driven: Sets high standards, is motivated and determined
- Together: communicate well with peers, understand others’ views and have a collaborative mindset
- Safety-oriented mindset
- Demonstrates a strong ability to lead and coach.
Operational Requirements
- Technical Knowledge: Understanding of mining legislation, SOPs and operational procedures.
- Safety Awareness: Knowledge of safety protocols and risk assessment methodologies.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to tackle practical, production-oriented problems through mini-projects.
- Project Management: Skills in managing projects, including planning, execution and reporting.
- Behavioural Competencies: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are required, along with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
- Legal Appointment: Eligibility to hold a legal appointment according to local Mining Regulations.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 12
Level of Education: postgraduate degree
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