Graduate Paste Fill Engineer

Role Purpose :

The Graduate Paste Fill Engineer supports the safe and efficient planning, quality assurance, and monitoring of cemented paste fill activities to enable stable underground stoping and continuous ore production at SGM. The role provides engineering support to paste fill design parameters, stope readiness and barricade controls, paste plant-to-underground delivery performance, and laboratory/field testing to confirm fill quality and strength targets. Working under the guidance of the Senior Paste Fill Engineer, the role maintains accurate technical records, contributes to backfill optimization and cost control, and ensures paste fill work is executed in accordance with SGM critical controls, geotechnical requirements, and applicable standards.

Key Responsibilities & Duties :

1.Operational / Technical / Core Duties:

Paste Fill Plan Execution Support

• Support weekly and monthly paste fill schedules by aligning stope readiness, production priorities, and paste plant capacity.
• Verify fill pre-conditions (barricades, services isolation, access control, ventilation requirements, and stope clearance) before issuing pour approval.
• Coordinate with UG Operations and Paste Plant teams to execute planned pours and manage changes due to operational constraints.

Backfill Design & Technical Assurance

• Assist in defining paste fill targets (strength, binder dosage, solids content, and placement rates) based on stope geometry, exposure time, and geotechnical requirements.
• Maintain paste fill design assumptions and technical memos, ensuring controlled updates and traceable approvals.
• Support review of barricade designs and controls to confirm suitability for anticipated fill pressures and exposure conditions.

Paste Fill Quality Control & Testing

• Conduct field sampling and verification tests (e.g., density/solids, slump/flow characteristics, temperature, bleed) to confirm compliance with approved mix specifications.
• Prepare, cure, and track UCS sample sets in accordance with site testing procedures and ensure timely submission to laboratory testing.
• Trend quality results and highlight non-conformances, risks, and corrective actions to the Senior Paste Fill Engineer.

Underground Fill Delivery Monitoring

• Monitor paste line performance and underground placement conditions to confirm stable delivery, correct placement rates, and controlled fill progression.
• Record pour volumes, cycle times, interruptions, and operational observations to support performance tracking and improvement actions.
• Support troubleshooting of blockages, pressure excursions, segregation, or unexpected behavior by collecting data and applying structured problem-solving.

Technical Reporting & Data Management

• Maintain accurate daily/weekly paste fill logs, QA results, and stope backfill status updates within approved systems and document control requirements.
• Produce concise engineering reports summarizing schedule performance, quality outcomes, and key risks requiring escalation.
• Contribute to month-end reconciliation of binder consumption, paste volumes placed, and compliance against plan.

Continuous Improvement & Optimization Support

• Support initiatives to optimize binder consumption, paste rheology, and strength performance while maintaining geotechnical integrity and safety requirements.
• Assist in trial design, data capture, and evaluation for new binders, admixtures, testing methods, or operational controls.
• Capture lessons learned from fill deviations and integrate actions into checklists, standards, and training materials.

2.Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) / Compliance Duties:

Backfill Critical Control Compliance

• Apply SGM critical controls for underground work, ground control, energy isolation, confined space access (where applicable), and working around pressurized paste systems.
• Verify exclusion zones, barricade integrity, and access controls are maintained during filling to prevent unauthorized entry and exposure to fill-related hazards.
• Ensure sampling, testing, and monitoring activities comply with PPE, hygiene, and exposure controls for cement, tailings materials, and industrial chemicals.

Risk Assessment & Incident Support

• Participate in pre-task risk assessments and job hazard analyses for paste fill activities and ensure controls are practical and implemented in the field.
• Report hazards, near misses, and non-conformances promptly and support investigations by providing factual data, timelines, and technical observations.
• Stop work and escalate when critical controls are absent or ineffective, ensuring safety is not compromised by production pressure.

Regulatory, Standard & Procedure Conformance

• Maintain compliance with approved paste fill procedures, testing standards, and document control requirements for audit readiness.
• Support periodic inspections and assurance checks of paste fill controls, including barricade verification and record completeness.
• Contribute to emergency response readiness by understanding paste line failure scenarios and site communication/escalation protocols.

3.Financial / Budget / Asset / Resource Management (if applicable):

Binder & Consumable Cost Support

• Support tracking of binder and additive consumption against plan and highlight variances and underlying drivers.
• Assist in identifying cost opportunities through mix optimization, reduced rework, and improved schedule stability.
• Maintain evidence to support forecasting of binder demand and procurement lead-time planning.

Equipment & Instrument Care

• Maintain availability and calibration status of sampling and testing equipment to protect data quality and reduce rework.
• Support controls to minimize damage or loss of tools and improve asset utilization through correct storage and handover practices.

Job Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mining, Civil, Geotechnical, or Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Experience:02 years in mining or heavy industry
• Exposure to underground operations preferred
• Backfill, paste plant, or QA/QC experience is a plus
• Technical Knowledge: Basics of cemented paste backfill (CPB) and backfill design
• Paste plant processes and QA/QC testing
• Understanding of pipeline hazards and safety controls
• Technical Skills:Field sampling and testing (paste & UCS)
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Use of spreadsheets for calculations and tracking
• Monitoring operations and identifying risks
• Soft Skills:Strong safety awareness
• Analytical thinking and attention to data accuracy
• Clear communication and teamwork
• Good planning, adaptability, and problem-solving
• Other Requirements:Valid driving license
• Ability to work underground and on-site
• Professional Arabic & English
• Willingness to work shifts and meet operational demands

Job Location & Accommodation

Sukari Gold Mines, Red Sea Marsa Alam

Roster: 20 days onsite / 10 days off

Home-to-site transportation provided

Full accommodation and well-being facilities provided