Tailings & Operations Manager

The Manager – Tailings and Water Services is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily operations, maintenance, and compliance of tailings pump stations and deposition systems at a large-scale copper concentrator. This role ensures safe and efficient transport of tailings in alignment with deposition plans, environmental and regulatory requirements, and engineering standards. 

The Manager will lead a team of operators and technicians while collaborating cross-functionally with environmental, geotechnical, water management, and operations teams to maintain system reliability, facility stability, and regulatory compliance. The role also supports tailings storage facility (TSF) lift construction, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

•  Lead day-to-day operations of the tailings pump station, including high-pressure and low-pressure pump systems, pipelines, sumps, and distribution infrastructure.
• Monitor system performance through KPIs such as pump utilization, availability, downtime, and water reclaim efficiency to ensure uninterrupted tailings transport. 
• Ensure compliance with tailings deposition plans, TSF lift schedules, and geotechnical recommendations using monitoring systems such as radar and piezometers. 
• Develop and maintain preventative and predictive maintenance programs for mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems. 
• Enforce compliance with MSHA, OSHA, and site safety standards through active leadership, inspections, and corrective actions. 
• Respond to operational issues including blockages, leaks, overflows, and equipment failures. 
• Maintain compliance with tailings management standards including GISTM, CDA, and environmental permit requirements. 
• Supervise, train, and develop tailings personnel, including operators, shift leads, and maintenance staff. 
• Collaborate with environmental, geotechnical, and water balance teams to ensure safe and sustainable deposition practices. 
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning for tailings infrastructure and capital projects. 
• Interface with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders during inspections and incident response. 
• Maintain accurate operational, safety, and compliance records. 
• Coordinate access and readiness of containment systems, emergency infrastructure, and operational areas. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-functional communication related to tailings system performance and availability. 

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Strong knowledge of tailings management systems, slurry transport, and deposition practices. 
• Understanding of centrifugal pumps, pipeline hydraulics, instrumentation, and pump station operations. 
• Knowledge of tailings storage facility design, monitoring systems, and geotechnical considerations. 
• Familiarity with MSHA regulations, OSHA standards, and environmental compliance requirements. 
• Experience with monitoring and control systems such as SCADA, CMMS, and operational reporting tools. 
• Knowledge of GISTM and industry best practices for tailings management. 
• Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to drive a safety-first culture. 
• Ability to analyze performance data and implement continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders. 
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, and competing operational priorities. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Minimum 7 years of experience in mining operations, including at least 3 years in tailings management or slurry transport systems. 
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a high-reliability industrial environment. 
• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field preferred. 
• Experience with regulatory compliance and tailings-related environmental requirements. 
• Relevant certifications such as MSHA Part 48, OSHA training, First Aid/CPR, or incident investigation training preferred. 
• English language fluency required. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE 

• Outdoor mine site environment with exposure to varying weather and operating conditions. 
• Physical requirements include walking on uneven terrain, climbing, and working around heavy equipment. 
• Fixed schedule with on-call responsibilities during critical operations or shutdowns. 
• Travel across site infrastructure including tailings facilities, pump stations, and construction zones.