Automation Engineer

at  Anglo American

ANGLO AMERICAN STEELMAKING COAL

Steelmaking coal is an essential ingredient in blast-furnace steel manufacture, producing steel used for critical building and infrastructure around the world. In Australia, we operate five steelmaking coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, and have additional joint venture interests in steelmaking coal and manganese, as well as copper exploration projects underway in North West Queensland and Western Australia.
Job Description
As the Automation Engineer at Aquila Mine, you will be responsible for managing all aspects relating to Longwall automation, and remote operation activities to mine coal safely, optimally, and in accordance with the annual mine plan. You will work with our industry-leading remotely operated autonomous longwall technology, where our Aquila Mine won the Outstanding Mine Performance category at the 2023 Australian Mining Prospect Awards.
The mine features two longwall systems (walk on, walk off) ensuring production continuity. Both longwalls are fully remote capable from the site-based Remote Operations Centre (ROC) on the surface of the mine. The Longwall Move department is a vital part of this strategy to maintain longwall continuity.

This role will see you accountable for:

• Play a key role in the implementation of high value automation initiatives to enable remote autonomous operations.
• Build solid relationships and positively influence a wide array of stakeholders.
• Lead automation processes for the complete longwall system including Shearer, Roof Supports, AFC, BSL, Pump Station including all auxiliary services used to operate the longwall.
• Regularly review equipment health and develop equipment health criteria in collaboration with mechanical & electrical coordinators.
• Training & continuous development of all Longwall personnel regarding current and future Automation systems.

Qualifications

To be successful in the role you will have the following:

• Extensive experience working in an underground coal mining environment
• Relevant longwall operations skills and/or have a trade or engineering qualifications coupled with underground mining experience
• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Mechatronics or Electrical Trade will also be highly regarded
• Relevant Trade Qualification with demonstrated experience
• Experience with CitectSCADA, Allen Bradley PLC programming & OSIsoft PI data intelligence system
• Familiarity with Microsoft .NET framework and programming languages
• Familiarity with common communication protocols including TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Devicenet & Profibus

WHO WE ARE

We aim to lead the industry by pursuing ever safer and more responsible ways of working, demonstrating integrity, and showing care and respect for people and the planet. That means we are constantly seeking new opportunities to mine and process our products sustainably, using less water, less energy and more precise extraction technologies. As the custodians of coal and other precious natural resources – diamonds (through De Beers), copper, platinum and other precious metals, iron ore and nickel – our extraordinary teams work safely and collaboratively, with the utmost consideration for local communities, our customers and the world at large.

This role will see you accountable for:

• Play a key role in the implementation of high value automation initiatives to enable remote autonomous operations.
• Build solid relationships and positively influence a wide array of stakeholders.
• Lead automation processes for the complete longwall system including Shearer, Roof Supports, AFC, BSL, Pump Station including all auxiliary services used to operate the longwall.
• Regularly review equipment health and develop equipment health criteria in collaboration with mechanical & electrical coordinators.
• Training & continuous development of all Longwall personnel regarding current and future Automation systems

To be successful in the role you will have the following:

• Extensive experience working in an underground coal mining environment
• Relevant longwall operations skills and/or have a trade or engineering qualifications coupled with underground mining experience
• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Mechatronics or Electrical Trade will also be highly regarded
• Relevant Trade Qualification with demonstrated experience
• Experience with CitectSCADA, Allen Bradley PLC programming & OSIsoft PI data intelligence system
• Familiarity with Microsoft .NET framework and programming languages
• Familiarity with common communication protocols including TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Devicenet & Profibu