Project Study & Approvals Advisor

About South32

South32 is a globally diversified mining and metals company. Our purpose is to make a difference by developing natural resources, improving people’s lives now and for generations to come. We are trusted by our owners and partners to realise the potential of their resources. We produce commodities including bauxite, alumina, aluminium, metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead, zinc and copper from our operations in Australia, Southern Africa and South America. With a focus on growing our base metals exposure, we also have two development options in North America and several partnerships with junior explorers around the world.

About GEMCO

Located on tropical Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, the GEMCO operation is accountable for over 20% of the world’s manganese ore production. Groote Eylandt is home to the Anindilyakwa people, who are the traditional owners of the land and have been working alongside GEMCO since 1963.

This role is a 4/3 Roster, FIFO Darwin or Cairns or can be offered as residential on a full-time ongoing basis. 

About the role

The purpose of this role is to champion responsible stewardship of environmental, social and cultural matters that have the potential to impact GEMCO’s ability to secure land access and regulatory approvals for mining related activities. This role provides a key leadership, coordinating, technical and advisory role to GEMCO’s Technical Services Department.

Some of your main responsibilities will include:

Project Management / Regulatory Approvals

• Support the delivery and execution of environmental and social studies that enable planned exploration and mining activities to access future resources e.g Environmental Impact Assessments, EPBC Act referrals, Mining Authorisation applications).
• Identify environmental risks that are associated with land access and mining activities and implement corrective actions to address and manage.
• Provide technical support to GEMCO teams in order to achieve its business plan and targets.
• Provide logistical and planning support for key technical studies.
• Prepares scope of work for environmental studies.
• Provide support in preparing forecast budgets, monthly accruals, schedule updates and 2-yearly work plans.
• Develop training and awareness materials for South32 staff
• Stay abreast of relevant legislation, best practice and tools, so that these may be leveraged to facilitate environmental management practices and approvals.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide input to the development of stakeholder engagement plans.
• Participate as needed in stakeholder consultation processes (eg. Mining Liaison Committee meetings).
• Prepare monthly / quarterly report updates on the progress of environmental studies.

Environmental Management & Cultural Heritage

• Support surface, groundwater monitoring programs as well as annual revegetation surveys of exploration areas. Work with key consultants to ensure monitoring programs are executed safely and in accordance with monitoring standards and procedures
• Assist in the preparation of Mining Management Plans
• Maintain the GEMCO Project Studies Compliance Register.
• Integrate the compliance register with South32’s G360 program
• Support and assist in the coordination of an environmental constraints and social impact assessments.

About you

You’ll be a great fit if you have:

• Undergraduate qualification (Bachelor/ Honours degree: Science, Natural Resources disciplines) preferred.
• Knowledge of Federal and Northern Territory environmental legislation and approval processes
• Familiar with Mapinfo / ArcGIS spatial data management
• Strong experience in a similar role within the mining & resource industry

Our benefits

• Competitive salaries
• 4:3 Roster FIFO from Cairns/Darwin or residential on Groote Eylandt
• Industry leading parental leave and family care policy
• Education and career development

Our culture

At South32, our people are fundamental to our success. We’re focused on creating an inclusive workplace, with the right people in the right roles, who are engaged, empowered and appropriately rewarded.

We aspire to be an inclusive organisation, where our workforce reflects the broader demographic of the countries and communities where we operate.

South32 embraces diversity and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.

Please note this job advert will close on the 21st of October