Backfill Engineer (Paste/CRF)

About the Role

This opportunity enables you to join Endura Mining at an early stage and contribute significantly to its growth. With active mining operations in New Zealand and a growing corporate presence in Sydney, Endura Mining is poised for rapid expansion. The focus is on launching production within six months and progressing into a multi-asset business encompassing multiple gold and copper projects.

As a Backfill Engineer specializing in Paste and Cemented Rock Fill (CRF), you will be based near Reefton on New Zealand's West Coast. Your responsibility will be to design, coordinate, and optimize backfilling operations that support long-hole open stoping and cut-and-fill mining approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and oversee backfill activities ensuring proper strength, quality, and timing to maintain mine stability and optimize ore extraction.
• Coordinate operational links between underground backfill demand and surface tailings management to maintain balanced tailings disposal.
• Collaborate with mining, geotechnical engineers, plant operators, and underground teams to ensure efficient backfill delivery aligned with technical requirements.
• Create stope-specific fill designs addressing binder content, fill height, barricade needs, and curing durations.
• Optimize paste fill properties including rheology, binder proportions, slump targets, and delivery rates.
• Specify CRF mix formulations, rock sizing, cement dosage, and placement techniques for various stopes.
• Plan backfill sequencing integrated into mine development including timing for drilling, blasting, and mucking.
• Design and approve barricades to withstand expected fill pressures safely.
• Supervise paste and CRF delivery infrastructure including pipelines, valves, and instrumentation.
• Implement quality assurance and control protocols such as slump tests, strength sampling, and binder monitoring.
• Evaluate fill performance and refine designs based on analysis of curing, strength, stability, and dilution.
• Develop operational procedures covering filling methods, system startups and shutdowns, and contingency responses to interruptions or blockages.
• Support commissioning, ramp-up, and operational handover of paste plants and underground filling systems incorporating training and validation.

Desired Expertise and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining, Geotechnical, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in underground mining environments, familiar with long-hole open stoping, cut-and-fill methods, paste fill and CRF.
• Knowledge in paste fill rheology, binder chemistry, CRF production, stope design, sequencing, mining software such as Deswik, and ground control principles.
• Strong analytical abilities, problem-solving aptitude, and clear communication skills.
• Capability to work underground and perform field inspections safely.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary package including accommodation allowance.
• Private health coverage with family discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program to support well-being.
• Transport services for personnel commuting from Greymouth and Reefton.
• Opportunity for career advancement within a dynamic project located in the scenic West Coast region of New Zealand.

About Endura Mining

Endura Mining provides a platform where your contributions have direct and meaningful impact. You will have the autonomy to shape operational approaches and participate in scaling a fast-growing mining business. This role represents a distinctive chance to be integrally involved in a transformative project with real potential for professional growth.