Quality Control & Continuous Improvement Engineer

The Quality Control & Continuous Improvement Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining quality control systems and continuous improvement programs for underground mining and construction activities.

The position will focus heavily on developing meaningful Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), collecting and analyzing operational data, improving cycle times, controlling project costs, monitoring shotcrete quality, and developing Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for construction activities.

The Engineer will work closely with Operations, Construction, Engineering, Maintenance, Safety, and Project Management to identify performance gaps, establish measurable standards, and implement improvements that increase productivity, quality, reliability, and cost efficiency.

A major component of the role is transforming operational data into actionable information that allows management and supervisors to understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what needs to change.

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. KPI DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

· Develop and maintain operational KPIs for mining, construction, and project activities.

· Establish KPI definitions, calculation methods, data sources, targets, and reporting frequencies.

· Develop leading and lagging performance indicators.

· Establish baseline performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

· Develop performance dashboards.

Track performance against:

· Cycle times

· Equipment utilization

· Equipment availability

· Labour productivity

· Shotcrete production

· Shotcrete quality

· Development advance

· Construction progress

· Rework

· Material consumption

· Project costs

· Identify trends and recurring performance issues.

· Establish KPI ownership with responsible departments and supervisors.

· Develop visual management systems for crews and management.

· Ensure KPIs result in actionable improvement.

Example KPIs

Mining / Production:

· Metres advanced per shift

· Metres advanced per crew hour

· Cycle time

· Drill time

· Blast preparation time

· Muck cycle time

· Scaling time

· Bolting time

· Shotcrete time

Construction

· Planned vs. actual progress

· Material consumption

· Rework percentage

· First-pass acceptance rate

· Construction completion percentage

Cost

· Labour cost per metre

· Equipment cost per metre

4. SHOTCRETE QUALITY CONTROL

Develop and maintain a comprehensive shotcrete quality control program for underground development.

Responsibilities include:

· Establish shotcrete quality requirements and acceptance criteria.

· Develop shotcrete Inspection and Test Plans.

· Monitor shotcrete batching, delivery, application, and curing.

Track:

o Shotcrete volume

o Thickness

o Compressive strength

o Accelerant dosage

· Adhere to Ground Support Management Plan testing schedules.

· Review laboratory and field-testing results.

· Identify quality trends and deficiencies.

· Track non-conforming work and corrective actions.

· Investigate excessive rebound, poor adhesion, inadequate thickness, and other quality issues.

· Establish shotcrete performance benchmarks.

· Support nozzleman training and competency programs.

· Participate in shotcrete trials and mix optimization.

5. CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CONTROL & ITP DEVELOPMENT

As a developing mine, construction project will be essential to provide the infrastructure to support the required development Develop and implement quality control systems for underground construction projects.

Responsibilities include:

· Develop Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for construction activities.

· Establish inspection points, hold points, witness points, acceptance criteria, and required documentation.

· Coordinate ITP requirements with Engineering, Project Management, contractors, and clients.

· Develop quality checklists and inspection forms.

· Establish documentation requirements for each construction activity.

· Monitor compliance with drawings, specifications, engineering requirements, and approved procedures.

· Track inspections and testing to completion.

· Identify non-conforming work.

· Develop and track corrective and preventive actions.

· Maintain quality records and project documentation.

· Participate in construction inspections and quality audits.

· Verify that required inspections and testing are completed before work progresses through designated hold points.

Typical ITP Activities

ITPs may be developed for:

· Ground support

· Rock bolts

· Cable bolts

· Shotcrete

· Concrete

· Grouting

· Steel installation

· Ventilation construction

· Piping

· Electrical installation

· Underground infrastructure

· Raise construction

· Civil works

· Equipment installation

6. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Lead structured continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.

Responsibilities include:

· Identify opportunities for improvement through data analysis and field observations.

· Conduct root-cause analysis.

· Facilitate improvement workshops with crews and supervisors.

· Develop corrective and preventive actions.

· Implement improvement initiatives.

· Measure results before and after implementation.

Quantify improvements in terms of:

o Time saved

o Cost saved

o Productivity increased

o Quality improved

o Waste reduced

o Rework reduced

· Standardize successful improvements across crews and projects.

· Develop lessons learned and incorporate them into procedures and work standards.