Company Description
We’re looking for a talented Permitting Specialist who shares our values and our belief in a better future for mining. Could you be one of them?
Thungela Resources [Thungela means “to ignite” in isiZulu] is a leading South African thermal coal business, focused exclusively on thermal coal production. It is one of the largest pure-play producers and exporters of thermal coal in South Africa based on aggregate coal reserves and marketable coal production. Thungela focuses on exporting its thermal coal portfolio mainly to the Indian, Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle East and North African markets
Job Description
Management of the permitting process for Thungela by ensuring that current permits remain valid and new permits required are identified and obtained to improve business compliance performance, reducing legal, financial and reputational risks.
The focus areas for this role will be to manage and co-ordinate the following:
Performance & Delivery
- Drive compliance to legal components required to secure and maintain all permits required by Thungela Resources
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Identify, develop, implement and monitor a permitting management system to ensure commitments/conditions are adhered to and compliance is maintained.
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Develop and maintain an efficient permitting process that aims to reduce the time in which
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the company obtains and complies with required permits.
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Maintain a Permitting Framework that defines the necessary permits for activities and infrastructure across the organization life-cycle (Projects SIB, Operations or Closures) and advise stakeholders accordingly.
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Develop and maintain permitting procedures to govern adherence to and support legal compliance requirements related to various discipline’s permits.
- Responsible for facilitating stakeholder discussions to ensure adherence to legal permit
requirements as per Permitting Rights requirements.
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Provide timelines as per the acquisition process to obtain timeous permit approval and maintain compliance.
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Coordinate permitting training workshops for all capital project teams.
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Provide relevant permitting input into the annual legislative environmental audits.
- Provide guidance and support to operational and project teams on general permitting enquiries.
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Ensure that project permitting applications, correspondence to regulators and external stakeholders adhere to the required standards.
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Manage the process of identifying and drafting mitigation and action plans pertaining to permitting related risks.
- Ensure that the process of maintaining mineral rights for Thungela Resources is supported from a permitting perspective.
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Liaise with relevant internal (Environmental Superintendents at site) and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with legal components required for Permitting Rights
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Review and provide input into mining right supporting documentation in collaboration with operations and projects teams from an environmental perspective.
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Liaise with relevant stakeholders to confirm/validate mining rights applications when necessary or when required.
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Partake in operational discussions to understand annual provisioning calculations.
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Review the impact of objections and appeals where necessary and provide specialist input.
- Provide the required permitting input into maintaining Thungela’s property rights
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Liaise with operations and project teams (SIB and Capital projects) to gather information for application purposes when necessary.
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Identify permits required and develop a permitting timeline to ensure that applications are timeously applied for and received.
- Provide input into documentation, where required, for the implementation of commercial agreements.
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Consult with relevant stakeholders when required as per commercial agreements.
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Update Permitting policies, framework and procedures as required due to legislative changes and communicate to relevant stakeholders.
- Provide input into the development of strategy and policy for Mineral & Property rights.
Qualifications
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Bachelors’ Degree in Environmental, Agricultural Science or LLB (NQF Level 7)
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Advantageous: Certification in mining law
Experience
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Minimum of 6 years' experience in mining, agriculture, environmental science, legal or related field
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Good experience working in the mining industry
Technical Skills
Operations
- Proficient knowledge of mining and other relevant legislation applicable to Thungela Resources incl.:
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Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, No 28 of 2002
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Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, No 28 of 2008
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Mining Titles Registration Act, No 16 of 1967
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National Environmental Management Act, No 107 of 1998
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National Water Act, No 36 of 1998
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Water Services Act, No 108 of 1997
- Proficient knowledge of MPRDA processes as it relates to permitting
- Advanced knowledge of the various permitting requirements affecting the mining industry
Commercial
- Proficient knowledge of commercial law and the mining value chain
Management
- Advanced knowledge of risk and stakeholder management
Compliance
- Advanced knowledge of Thungela Resources policies, procedures, standards and systems
Additional Information
What we offer
When you join Thungela, you can expect to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package. But more than this, you’ll find yourself in an environment where the opportunities for learning and growth are second to none. From technical training to leadership programmes, we bring out the best in our people. There are plenty of opportunities to move onwards and upwards too. We’re a large, successful multinational company – and we’re still growing all the time.
Who we are?
Thungela is a pure play coal mining business. Our portfolio of world-class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine, process, move and market our products to our customers around the world.
Inclusion and Diversity
Thungela is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential.
How we are committed to your safety
Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry. Not only that, we’re also continually investing in new technologies – from drones to data analytics – that are helping to make mining safer.
How to apply
To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.
