Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Underground Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

The Underground Engineer is responsible for the technical design, execution, monitoring and continuous improvement of underground operations in mines, tunnels and other subsurface projects. This role combines geotechnical assessment, ground support and stability design, mine/tunnel layout and sequencing, ventilation and dewatering engineering, construction and contractor supervision, compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and data-driven decision making. The ideal candidate applies rock mechanics, numerical modelling and 3D mine/tunnel planning tools to deliver safe, efficient and cost-effective underground development while mentoring crews and coordinating multi-disciplinary stakeholders.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate Mining / Geological / Civil Engineer
Underground Supervisor or Shift Supervisor (mining/tunnelling)
Geotechnical Field Engineer

Advancement To:

Senior Underground Engineer / Principal Engineer
Mine/Project Manager or Underground Operations Manager
Technical Services Manager / Head of Geotechnical Engineering

Lateral Moves:

Ventilation Engineer / Specialist
Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics Engineer
Drilling & Blasting Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and implement ground support and rock reinforcement systems (rock bolts, cable bolts, shotcrete, mesh, steel sets, backfill and grouting), ensuring designs are tailored to site-specific geology, stress conditions and expected excavation methods.
Conduct geotechnical investigations and interpret geological mapping, core logging, drillhole data and in situ stress measurements to produce ground classification reports and stability assessments for shafts, ramps, stopes and tunnels.
Prepare and maintain short‑term and long‑term underground development plans including drivage sequences, stope design, extraction methods and production schedules using 3D planning tools (Deswik, Surpac, Maptek, Datamine).
Lead numerical modelling and analysis (e.g., FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC) to predict rock mass behaviour, evaluate support performance and optimize excavation geometries to mitigate ground-fall and convergence risks.
Design and validate mine ventilation systems (main/auxiliary ventilation, fans, ducting, VSDs), perform ventilation network modelling (VentSim, Ventsim Visual), and implement strategies for airflow, temperature and contaminant control.
Develop and manage comprehensive ground control and geotechnical monitoring programs using instrumentation (extensometers, piezometers, convergence meters, load cells), analyze monitoring data and produce timely exception and trend reports.
Oversee drilling and blasting design for underground operations, including blast geometry, burden/spacing, initiation systems, fragmentation targets, vibration control and compliance with explosives legislation and blast monitoring.
Plan, supervise and provide technical direction for shaft sinking, raiseboring, drift development and other underground construction activities to ensure alignment with design, quality and schedule requirements.
Manage water inflow and dewatering strategies (pumping systems, sumps, drainage, grouting), including hydrogeological assessments and coordination with environmental and civil teams to limit flooding and erosion risks.
Prepare cost estimates, capital and operating budgets for underground development activities, and perform value engineering to optimize costs without compromising safety or production targets.
Implement and maintain mine health & safety systems and regulatory compliance (permit applications, statutory inspections, incident investigations), and lead or participate in hazard identification and risk assessment workshops (JSA, HAZOP).
Develop and maintain technical standards, procedures and construction specifications for underground works, ensuring alignment with contract requirements and best practice standards.
Coordinate and supervise contractors and multidisciplinary teams (survey, drilling, blasting, mechanical, electrical), including tender assessment, scope of work, contract performance monitoring and quality assurance.
Provide technical input to production planning, logistics and material handling for ore/waste movement, hoisting systems, conveyors and underground mobile fleet selection to achieve production targets.
Produce clear technical documentation, drawings, cross-sections and reports for stakeholders, regulators and senior management, including recommendations, action plans and forecasting of geotechnical and operational risks.
Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis for ground-related occurrences, implement corrective actions and disseminate lessons learned through training and updates to standard operating procedures.
Implement and maintain continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, LEAN) to increase underground productivity, reduce cycle times and improve safety outcomes through data-driven process changes.
Support integration of digital workflows and subsurface data platforms (3D models, GIS, laser scanning, LIDAR) to improve design accuracy, progress tracking and decision support.
Mentor and train site engineers, technicians and crews on ground control practices, instrumentation interpretation, safe excavation techniques and emergency response procedures.
Ensure environmental stewardship in underground activities through dust, water and waste management plans; liaise with environmental officers to manage compliance and rehabilitation planning.
Conduct structural and geomechanical inspections of underground development areas, identify remedial actions (scaling, additional support, dewatering) and prioritize works to maintain safe access and production continuity.
Coordinate emergency preparedness for underground incidents (ground fall, water inrush, fires) including rescue plans, refuge alternatives, evacuation routes and collaboration with surface emergency services.

Secondary Functions

Compile weekly and monthly technical and progress reports for project stakeholders and corporate offices, including KPI tracking for safety, production, costs and schedule.
Support procurement activities by preparing technical specifications for long-lead items (ventilation fans, pumps, steel sets, shotcrete rigs) and evaluating supplier technical submissions.
Participate in multidisciplinary design reviews, risk workshops and pre-start safety meetings to ensure alignment between engineering, operations and maintenance.
Assist with community and stakeholder engagement activities when underground works intersect with surface infrastructure or sensitive receptors.
Contribute to feasibility studies, pre-feasibility and reserve/tailing estimates by providing geotechnical input, risk assessments and cost estimates for underground scenarios.
Maintain as-built documentation and update 3D models to reflect actual development, ensuring accurate records for future design and compliance audits.
Assist in the development and delivery of technical training modules and competency verification for underground crew certifications and licensing.
Provide on-call technical support for escalated underground issues, including remote troubleshooting and decision-making outside normal hours.
Support corporate initiatives for sustainability by advising on energy-efficient ventilation, water recycling and material optimization for underground projects.
Lead small technical teams or project workstreams, coordinating external consultants and specialist subcontractors for complex investigations or remediation works.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Ground control and rock reinforcement design (rock bolts, cable bolts, shotcrete, mesh, steel sets).
Geotechnical investigation and interpretation (core logging, RQD, Q-system, RMR, GSI).
Numerical and geomechanical modelling (FLAC3D, UDEC, 3DEC, Rocscience suite).
3D mine/tunnel planning and modelling tools (Deswik, Surpac, Maptek, Datamine, Vulcan).
Ventilation engineering and modelling (VentSim, Ventsim Visual, network analysis).
Drilling & blasting design and explosives management for underground operations.
Hydrogeology and dewatering system design (pumping, drainage, grouting).
Underground construction methodologies (raiseboring, shrinkage, cut-and-fill, longhole stoping).
Monitoring instrumentation and data analysis (extensometers, piezometers, inclinometers, dataloggers).
CAD and drafting for underground plans (AutoCAD, Civil 3D), plus ability to produce clear technical drawings.
Inspection, QA/QC and commissioning of underground services and installations.
Safety and regulatory compliance knowledge (mining law, explosives handling, confined space procedures).
Experience with laser scanning, LIDAR and point cloud integration into 3D models.
Budgeting, cost estimation and schedule control for underground projects.
RMS and risk management tools and methodologies (BowTie, Fault Tree Analysis).

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication for clear reporting, permit submissions and stakeholder briefings.
Leadership and team development with a focus on safety culture and mentoring junior engineers.
Problem solving and decisive judgment under pressure in dynamic underground environments.
Collaboration and stakeholder management across operations, contractors and regulatory bodies.
Time management and prioritisation to balance safety interventions, development and production demands.
Attention to detail with ability to translate field observations into robust technical solutions.
Adaptability and resilience when responding to unplanned ground conditions or operational changes.
Coaching and training capability to upskill site teams in geotechnical awareness and safe work practices.
Negotiation and influencing skills for contractor performance and scope management.
Data literacy and analytical mindset to interpret monitoring datasets and support predictive maintenance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Engineering (Mining, Geological or Civil Engineering) or equivalent technical qualification.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Rock Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering or related discipline; relevant professional certification (PE, CPEng, EurIng) or chartership.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mining Engineering
Geological Engineering
Geotechnical / Rock Mechanics
Civil Engineering (with underground focus)
Hydrogeology / Environmental Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–10+ years of relevant underground engineering experience depending on seniority (mid-level typically 5+ years).

Preferred:

5+ years in underground mine or tunnelling projects with hands-on experience in ground control design, ventilation, drilling & blasting and numerical modelling.
Demonstrated experience supervising contractors, delivering underground development on schedule and mentoring engineering teams.
Experience working with digital mine design platforms and geotechnical instrumentation programs.