Electrical & Instrumentation Technician - Newmont Mining Corporation

Newmont Mining Corporation is a leading global gold producer with key assets in Nevada, Peru, Australia, Ghana and Suriname.

Newmont’s Africa Operations holds two gold mining operations in Ghana: the Ahafo Mine located in the Brong-Ahafo region and the Akyem Mine located in the Eastern region. There is also near mine exploration and development focus in Ghana to annually replace gold reserves. Newmont Africa also has early-stage exploration programs in the African countries of Ethiopia and Morocco.

Our Africa operations employ approximately 5,900 employees and contractors, with the majority working at the Ahafo Mine. We offer an unparalleled blend of opportunity and career satisfaction with all the benefits you would expect from a global company. This, combined with our growth opportunities, makes Newmont a great company to work for.

Our Akyem and Ahafo mines have made significant sustainable community development investments in our host communities. These include establishing Development Funds at our Akyem and Ahafo operational areas with each mine contributing US$1 per ounce of gold sold and 1% of net pre-tax annual profit into its community development fund.

The only gold company listed in the S&P 500 index, Newmont in 2007 became the first gold company selected to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Newmont’s industry-leading performance is reflected through our Africa operations’ high standards in environmental management, health and safety for our workforce and creating value and opportunity for our employees, host communities and Newmont’s shareholders.

About This Role:

• To conduct the safe troubleshooting, replacement, repair, testing and general maintenance of electrical and instrumentation production equipment and systems, according to electrical codes and specifications, to optimise plant processing and production.

In This Role You Will:

Electrical Maintenance

• Execute electrical maintenance tasks for completion, arising out of schedules received from the E&I Supervisor.

• Conduct daily work planning around Standard Task Procedures (STP’s), JHA / FLRA and SAFE checks.
• Identify, resolve and correct detected E&I faults and defects in equipment.
• Troubleshoot technical and/or operational problems.
• Conduct in-depth investigations into faults affecting equipment operations and process flows.
• Diagnose and repair electrical power and control systems, AC V/S drives and associated electrical equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance on all electrical equipment, in line with approved maintenance standards.
• Perform a variety of other maintenance tasks, including predictive and preventative electrical and instrumentation maintenance.
• Perform installations, maintenance and repair activities, in accordance with OEM specifications.
• Read and utilize electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, single line diagrams and circuit diagrams.
• Utilize hand tools, portable electrical tools and maintenance shop equipment safely and effectively.
• Test repaired equipment to determine the extent of effective functioning, including but not limited to maintenance of MCC’s, motors and drives.
• Confirm that tag-outs/lockouts are in place when disconnecting/connecting and removing electrical motors.
• Monitor substations in the plant and carry out any maintenance procedures.
• Attend to breakdowns and power outages.
• Maintain sufficient spare availability and stock levels.
• Contribute to the development of Standard Task Procedures (STP’s).
• Strive to reduce downtime and minimize costs.

Health and Safety Management

• Deliver on prescribed outcomes and/or provide support services, by applying Newmont’s Health, Safety and Environment systems, policies and protocols.
• Participate in regular (i.e. daily) safety leadership efforts.
• Ensure that safety standards are adhered to.
• Eliminate any safety hazards caused by electrical defects.
• Contribute to and attend all safety meetings.

Reporting

• Maintain records of maintenance and repair work.
• Compile reports on field observations and factor results into weekly/fortnightly planning.

Solution Analysis

• Examine all malfunctioned electronics and machines and diagnose whether to fix or replace.
• Analyze specified problems and issues to find the best technical solutions within OEM specifications and in accordance with local codes.
• Provide a hands-on solution for electrical faults and defects to equipment and machinery.
• Produce daily reports indicating the jobs completed for the day and submit the report to the E&I Supervisor.

Work Scheduling and Allocation

• Accomplish work objectives by determining own daily work and prioritization schedule.
• Coordinate with support services and assign short-term tasks to other Technicians, as necessary.

Your Training, Skills & Experience Checklist:

Formal Qualification (including Professional Registrations):

• Electrical Engineering Technician II Certificate.
• Other relevant Electrical Engineering Trade Test Certificate

Additional Knowledge:

• Sound knowledge of applicable electrical codes.
• Sound knowledge of process instrumentation.
• Sound knowledge of electrical maintenance principles and industry standards.
• Advance knowledge of the work management process.
• Advance knowledge of planning and scheduling.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 2 – 3 years’ electrical maintenance experience in a mining plant/process environment.
• Wide ranging experience across various voltage electrical works – extra-low, low and high.

Technical Skills:

• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Sound computer literacy skills (SAP, MS Word, Outlook and other Windows applications).
• Ability to identify problems and to report by using technical names of equipment parts.
• Ability to develop/maintain electrical distribution, generation and transmission systems and networks.
• Ability to correctly read power meters and record the readings accurately.
• Ability to manage the quality of operations, in accordance with the quality standards of the organization and international best practice.
• Ability to work with the following:
  • Electrical Distribution Systems. o Electrical Motors (low and High Voltage).
  • Overhead power lines maintenance (Up to 34.5kV).
  • Power transformers and its accessories.
  • Power Factor correction devices i.e. PFC and SVC.
  • Power control and monitoring relays.
  • Overhead cranes / hoists. o Industrial Un-interruptible Power Supply (UPS).
  • Distributed Control Systems.
  • Valves, Positioners, Actuators.
  • Transducers and Transmitters.
  • Digital and Analog Field Components.
  • Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems.

Behavioural Attributes:

• Accuracy.
• Detail focused.
• Quality oriented.
• Reliable.
• Safety conscious.
• Self-motivated.
• Team player.
• Technically inclined.

Working Conditions

• Position is located at the Ahafo South mine.
• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
  • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
  • Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to sit at a desk, climb stairs, walk and stand for periods of time.
  • Work Environment: The employee is frequently exposed to noise more than 85 decibels, and high temperature hazardous materials (chemicals and fumes during work at Reagent, CIL and Elution), sharp edges, dust, pinch-points, vibration, slippery surfaces etc. The incumbent will regularly lift heavy materials and / or operate heavy machinery.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Work requires mandatory PPE such as helmet, goggles, high visible clothing, safety harness, ear plugs and dust mask according to working conditions.