Freelance consultant / SME (Underground Geotechnical and Ground Control Specialist) - Metals & Mining

About dss+

At dss+, you don't just deliver projects - you help save lives, improve performance, and build a more sustainable future.

We are a purpose-led global consultancy partnering with organisations in high-risk and asset-intensive industries to solve complex operational challenges across safety, operational excellence, and sustainability.

With a heritage rooted in DuPont's industrial operations, we combine deep expertise, practical problem-solving, and digital innovation to deliver measurable and lasting impact for our clients.

Why This Role

As a freelance Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will bring deep expertise in underground geotechnical engineering and Ground Control to support a major mining expansion project.

Working alongside dss+ and client stakeholders, you will review operational procedures, identify operational and safety risks, challenge existing practices where appropriate, and provide practical recommendations aligned with industry leading practices.

This is a project-based advisory role focused on technical review, risk identification, and procedure improvement rather than full-time consulting delivery.

Why This Industry

As underground mining operations become more complex and technically demanding, effective Ground Control is critical to protecting people, infrastructure, and operational continuity.

dss+ supports mining organizations in strengthening operational risk management by ensuring that technical requirements, Critical Controls, and engineering standards are translated into practical procedures that can be applied consistently in the field.

Your Impact at dss+

You will provide specialist expertise for the critical review, development, and improvement of operational procedures associated with underground geotechnical risk management, Ground Control, Fall of Ground prevention, and excavation stability.

You will help ensure that geotechnical requirements and Critical Controls are translated into practical instructions that can be understood and applied by supervisors, operators, contractors, and operational leadership teams.

Key Accountabilities

• Review and evaluate Ground Control procedures, standards, and management plans.
• Assess operational procedures relating to geotechnical inspections and underground excavation management.
• Review approaches for excavation classification, clearance, and re-entry criteria.
• Evaluate ground support design, installation, verification, and maintenance requirements.
• Assess procedures covering rock bolts, cable bolts, mesh installation, and shotcrete application.
• Review scaling, loose-rock management, and unsupported ground controls.
• Evaluate Ground Control monitoring and geotechnical hazard reporting processes.
• Support the development and validation of Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs).
• Identify gaps between engineering requirements and field execution.
• Define practical inspection, authorization, verification, and stop-work requirements.
• Facilitate workshops involving geotechnical, operational, safety, and contractor teams.
• Provide recommendations to strengthen operational and safety risk controls.
• Contribute technical expertise to procedure reviews and operational risk assessments.

What You'll Experience at dss+

Deliver on our Purpose
Be part of a values-led organization where your expertise helps improve safety performance, strengthen risk management, and support critical operational decisions.

Apply your Trusted Expertise
Work alongside experienced technical and operational leaders, bringing your knowledge to a high-profile underground mining expansion project.

Collaborate with Industry Experts
Contribute to a multidisciplinary team of specialists supporting one of the mining industry's most important operational improvement initiatives.

Create Lasting Impact
Help develop practical procedures and controls that will influence operational performance and safety outcomes long after the project is complete.

Who You Are

You are an experienced underground geotechnical professional with deep technical credibility and a practical understanding of how Ground Control systems are implemented and managed in operating mines.

You are comfortable reviewing technical requirements, identifying operational risks, challenging assumptions, and translating engineering principles into practical field applications.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, Ground Control, or closely related disciplines.
• Preferably 7+ years of experience within underground mining operations.
• Strong practical experience supporting Ground Control systems in underground mines.
• Experience supporting underground mine development, expansion, construction, operational readiness, or ramp-up activities.
• Previous involvement in the development, review, or implementation of Ground Control standards, procedures, and management systems.
• Experience conducting technical reviews, audits, operational assessments, or risk reviews.
• Experience working within contractor-intensive mining environments is advantageous.

Capabilities

• Ability to review geotechnical designs and translate technical requirements into practical operational procedures.
• Ability to identify gaps between engineering specifications and field execution.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to establish measurable inspection, verification, and operational hold-point requirements.
• Experience facilitating technical workshops with multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to write clear and practical technical documentation in English.
• Ability to challenge existing practices constructively and recommend improvements.

Education & Languages

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in Mining Geotechnics, Rock Mechanics, or Ground Control is desirable.
• Professional registration or equivalent certification, where applicable.
• Fluency in English required.
• Portuguese and/or Spanish highly advantageous.

A Bit More About Us

We are implementers and change-makers. Our teams work from the boardroom to the shop floor, helping organizations build resilience, improve performance, and sustain results over time.

Our expertise spans industries including metals and mining, energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and private equity, combining deep operational knowledge with transformation and capability-building expertise.

Diversity & Inclusion

dss+ is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture where everyone is respected, valued, and able to contribute fully.

We believe diversity strengthens our organization and drives better outcomes for our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.

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