What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tailings Manager position at ASARCO?
The Manager – Tailings and Water Services is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily operations, maintenance, and compliance of tailings pump stations and deposition systems at a large-scale copper concentrator. This role ensures safe and efficient transport of tailings in alignment with deposition plans, environmental and regulatory requirements, and engineering standards.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 7 years of experience in mining operations, including at least 3 years in tailings management or slurry transport systems.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in a high-reliability industrial environment.
- High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field preferred.
- Experience with regulatory compliance and tailings-related environmental requirements.
- Relevant certifications such as MSHA-Part 48, OSHA training, First Aid/CPR, or incident investigation training preferred.
- English language fluency required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead day-to-day operations of the tailings pump station, including high-pressure and low-pressure pump systems, pipelines, sumps, and distribution infrastructure.
- Monitor system performance through KPIs such as pump utilization, availability, downtime, and water reclaim efficiency to ensure uninterrupted tailings transport.
- Ensure compliance with tailings deposition plans, TSF lift schedules, and geotechnical recommendations using monitoring systems such as radar and piezometers.
- Develop and maintain preventative and predictive maintenance programs for mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.
- Enforce compliance with MSHA, OSHA, and site safety standards through active leadership, inspections, and corrective actions.
- Respond to operational issues including blockages, leaks, overflows, and equipment failures.
- Maintain compliance with tailings management standards including GISTM, CDA, and environmental permit requirements.
- Supervise, train, and develop tailings personnel, including operators, shift leads, and maintenance staff.
- Collaborate with environmental, geotechnical, and water balance teams to ensure safe and sustainable deposition practices.
- Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning for tailings infrastructure and capital projects.
- Interface with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders during inspections and incident response.
- Maintain accurate operational, safety, and compliance records.
- Coordinate access and readiness of containment systems, emergency infrastructure, and operational areas.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-functional communication related to tailings system performance and availability.