Management structure of a conventional operation

Table I is the organizational chart of a conventional mining operation. A conventional mining operation is divided into four main activities and departments that are: the mining department, the milling department, the maintenance department, and the environment department.

For a single project the overall management is assumed by:

a Vice President for Mining reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. He directs, control and administers all mining and milling operations. He is responsible for achieving production objectives and for improving the overall cost and efficiency of the operations through careful long and short term planning, budgeting and control.

This position requires a degree in mining engineering and a solid experience in all aspects of mining including economics and at least 15 years experience in the mining industry.

a General Manager reporting to the Vice President for Mining. He holds the most senior on-site management position with overall responsibility for cost-effective mine site production, processing, engineering, maintenance and administration. He is also

responsible for capital projects and development projects on the property. He develops and implements company policies and procedures to facilitate corporate objectives and implements a strategic plan given by the Vice President. He also provides information for the preparation of a strategic plan. The four departments (Mining, Milling, Maintenance and Environment) report to him.

TABLE I. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF A CONVENTIONAL MINING OPERATION Vice President, Mining

General Manager

Mine Mill Maintenance Environment Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent

Radiation Safety Officer Mine Superintendent

Mine General Foreman Chief Mine Engineer Mine supervision Senior Engineer

Engineering and grade control functions Mill Superintendent

Mill General Foreman Chief Metallurgist Chief Chemist Mill supervision Metallurgists Laboratory Staff

Maintenance Superintendent

Maintenance General Maintenance Planner Utilities Warehouse Foreman

Maintenance Supervisors

2.1.1. Mining

The mining department comprises the following jobs and functions:

Mine Superintendent

Reports to the General Manager. Supervises and co-ordinates the operation of the mine and related facilities in accordance with company objectives and procedures, and is responsible for meeting commitments in tonnage and quality, waste removal, equipment and manpower utilization. He is also responsible for grievance handling and budget/cost control;

supervises operations through second and first level supervisors.

Mine General Foreman

Reports to Mine Superintendent; responsible for the day-to-day scheduling and control of mine site production activities including drilling layout and procedures, safety, training,

manpower scheduling, production statistics, fire prevention and grievance handling;

supervises operations through first level supervisors.

Chief Mining Engineer

Reports to Mine Superintendent; responsible for mine design (short term and long term mine design) surveying, mine geology and grade control.

Mine Foreman

A first line supervisory position is responsible for direct supervision of mining workforce and deployment of equipment to meet production and safety requirements.

2.1.2. Milling, processing

The milling processing comprises the following jobs and functions:

Mill Superintendent

Reports to the General Manager; responsible for overall management, direction and co-ordination of the mill operations; ensures mill production objectives are met at lowest cost consistent with quality requirements; achieves these objectives by delegating authority to key supervisors in production, quality control, maintenance and other related functions.

Mill General Foreman and Mill Foreman Same as in mine only for the mill.

Chief Metallurgist

Reports to Mill Superintendent; responsible for application of process engineering policies and practices; improves mill operating performance; reduces waste and delays;

promotes cost reduction and achieves a high level of operating efficiency; evaluates current and potential processing methods, plant layouts, material handling, manpower requirements and equipment and material utilization.

Chief Chemist

Reports to the Mill Superintendent; responsible for supervision of Laboratory staff, analysis and testing of raw and refined products, monitoring production processes and advising on changes affecting quality and/or volume or output.

2.1.3. Maintenance

The maintenance department comprises the following jobs and functions:

Maintenance Superintendent

Reports to the General Manager; responsible for maintaining, repairing and servicing all mine and mill equipment, buildings and facilities; authorizes major repairs or modifications and prepares an annual maintenance budget; works on projects involving

construction of new buildings and facilities, and alteration and modification of existing areas;

liaises with operations group to ensure equipment/mill scheduled down-times are co-ordinated effectively; usually supervises through two levels of line management; prepares a maintenance strategy.

Maintenance General Foreman Same as mine and mill.

Two Maintenance Planners (one planner for the mill and one planner for the mine in case of a large operation)

Report to Maintenance Superintendent; responsible for co-ordinating planned mine and mill maintenance, according to established preventive and predictive maintenance programmes and schedules; deal directly with maintenance supervisory/management staff on scheduled shutdowns and equipment rotations.

2.1.4. Environment, safety and health

The environmental, safety and health department comprises the following jobs and functions:

Environment Superintendent

Reports to the General Manager; is responsible for application of all engineering activities involving in identifying and alleviating environmental problems; also directs socio-economic impact assessments; ensures compliance with federal, provincial and local ordinances concerning environmental standards; ascertains levels of pollution and makes recommendations to senior management; coordinates the activities of environmentalists and consultants; in charge of quality assurance and safety.

Radiation Safety Officer

Reports to the General Manager: This position provides radiation protection and safety monitoring for the operations. Inspects and monitors all workplaces for contaminants such as radiation, gases, dusts, explosive fumes and noise. Develops radiation and safety programmes and provides training to the workforce. Ensure compliance of the operations with all regulatory requirements. Maintains radiation and safety records for all employees.