* Advance your career and be a part of a high-performing mining company in Laos, with growth projects in Southeast Asia
* Excellent opportunity for an experienced General Manager or Senior Leader to join PanAust's subsidiary – Phu Bia Mining
* Live in Laos and enjoy a fabulous expatriate lifestyle
PanAust Limited is an Australian-headquartered copper and gold producer in Laos and Chile, with pre-development assets in Papua New Guinea. The Company is focused on a sustainable business model associated with the production and sale of copper and gold, delivery of production goals and growth.
Phu Bia Mining's producing assets are the Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation (PKM) and the Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation (BHX), both located in the Company's 1,260 square-kilometre Mineral Exploration and Production Agreement (MEPA) with the Government of Laos. This agreement regulates exploration, development and mining activities within the Contract Area.
This position will be responsible for and based at the Phu Kham Copper-Gold and the Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver operations, located 30 km apart. Phu Kham is a conventional truck-and-shovel, large open-pit mine providing ore feed to a 12 Mtpa Concentrator, a single SAG mill and two ball mill grinding circuits, with copper and precious metals recovered by flotation. The Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation is an open-cut mine with a Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) and gravity circuit process plant, with annual production targets of approximately 100,000 oz gold and 780,000 oz silver from processing 4 to 4.5 Mtpa of ore. The company is entering an exciting phase and has embarked on new open-pit and underground satellite mine operations coming online in 2026 and beyond.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Managing Director of Phu Bia Mining, the General Manager Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership across operations at the Phu Kham Copper-Gold mine (PKM), the Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver mine (BHX), and the Ban Houayxai Extension (BHXE). The role is accountable for operational governance, safety, environmental and regulatory compliance, and drives delivery of budgeted production, cost and cash flow performance while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
The General Manager Operations also plays a key role in realising value through operational optimisation, the development and integration of Life of Mine plans and growth projects across existing and new open-pit and underground operations.
Your key responsibilities will include:
* Work collaboratively with Executives, General Managers and Managers to ensure best outcomes for the business are considered and delivered in line with budget, strategy and operational targets
* Provide the leadership and management of the PKM and BHX Risk, Mining (Open Pit and Underground), Processing, Maintenance (mobile, fixed plant, infrastructure) and other assigned functions, enforcing safety leadership at all levels
* Provide clear direction and targets for operations in support of the PanAust business goals and plans through coordinated communications, and develop and communicate annual operating plans, financial budgets, long-term plans, and strategies
* Manage the use and application of contractors, personnel, equipment and resources employed to meet operational targets
* Support PanAust in the development and growth strategies for Mineral Resource development programs, maximising Ore Reserves through to the Life of Mine Plans in Lao PDR;
* Ensure mine development is aligned to the Life of Mine plan and is maximising cash flow to the business by maintaining a low cost base and maximising metal production via high mill throughput, high recovery and high plant operating time
* Develop and implement strategies, critical tasks and plans to maximise the performance and profitability of the Operations at the lowest possible costs – reliably and sustainably
* Manage and improve the performance of process plant operations (throughput, recovery, costs), mining operations and support maintenance areas for a well-maintained, reliable plant
* Ensure that operational improvement plans are continuously developed, implemented, reviewed and progress is reported on across the operation, whilst also developing and implementing continuous improvement and innovation strategies
* Ensure future Ores programs in place providing reliable estimates for mining-geometallurgical response (grinding, throughput, recovery, reagents, risk/opportunity identification) for budget through to LOM
* Maximise the application of automated process control systems in process plants, mining operations, and maintenance areas where the benefits are material: reduced costs/waste, increased profitability, stability in process (improved throughput and recovery in plant), etc
* Implementation of closure activities and tasks as per the timeline and within budget
* Other duties and responsibilities as required to fulfil General Manager responsibilities
Skills and experience
* 15+ years' experience in mining operations, with progressive senior leadership roles
* A tertiary degree in Mining, Geology, Metallurgy or similar is required
* Experience in multi-mine site operations, preferably in open pit and underground operations in metalliferous hard rock mining
* Strong understanding of modern maintenance systems, planning and scheduling processes
* Ability to interpret technical reports and challenge assumptions from site leaders, Mine Managers, and Technical Services teams
* Experience balancing competing site priorities while maintaining consistency in standards, governance, and performance
* Proven capability to identify and intervene decisively in correcting areas of underperformance
* Experience with critical risk management, high-potential incident controls, and contractor safety
* Multi-international mine site experience is highly desirable
* A visible leader committed to delivering sustainable zero-harm outcomes for safety, environment, and community
* Strong commitment to training and supporting the growth of Lao National employees
As a mining company operating in high-risk environments, maintaining the highest safety standards is fundamental to the success and sustainability of our operations. An
unwavering focus on safety
is a non-negotiable when joining our team.
Our culture
High-performance outcomes, Respect for people, Integrity, Excellence in communications, High-calibre people and Alignment of employees with company objectives
Benefits
We offer a competitive remuneration package, including a bonus incentive (with potential tax advantages), children's education (if applicable), a housing allowance, medical and insurance cover, parental leave and more.
This role is offered on an attractive drive-in, drive-out roster, with travel in company time and transport to and from site provided by the Company. Our modern mine camp provides a range of Western and Asian food, a wet mess, as well as sporting and recreational facilities, including a football field, gym, and pool tables.
PanAust is focused on building a workforce that embraces diversity and inclusion, creating an environment of belonging that brings us all together through employee connection, security and community, harnessing what makes each of us unique. As an Equal Opportunity employer, we encourage and welcome applications from all genders, abilities, generations and cultural backgrounds.
Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding their application status.
We are not working with agencies to recruit this role.
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