About us

K92 Mining Limited are the owners the high-grade Kainantu Gold Mine in Eastern Highlands Province. Since commencing operations in 2016, we have delivered consistent production growth. More importantly, we have contributed significantly to the economy of Papua New Guinea, more than 90% of our employees and contractors are from PNG and our local education and skills development initiatives which include scholarships, traineeships and adult literacy programs continue to bring significant benefit the communities in which we operate. 

We are now transforming the operation with a new 1.2 mtpa process plant as well as extensive construction and expansion across site that will see us triple the output from our mine by 2027. In addition to our ongoing production success, we have an extensive exploration programme across our highly prospective tenement, making K92 a great place to build a long-term career.

About the role

K92 Mining is seeking a Senior Specialist – Paste Operations to lead the operation and optimisation of the paste fill system supporting underground mining at the Kainantu Gold Mine.

This role has technical and operational responsibility for the paste plant and paste distribution system, ensuring reliable production and delivery of paste backfill to underground stopes in line with the mine production schedule.

A defining feature of this role is the unique configuration of the paste plant, which is located underground within the mine rather than on surface. This requires close coordination between Mining, Processing, Maintenance and Logistics teams to ensure consistent material supply, stable plant operation, and reliable paste delivery.

The Senior Specialist will play a key role in system optimisation, operational reliability, and capability development, while also supporting the ongoing expansion of paste infrastructure as K92 continues to grow production.

This is an excellent opportunity for a pastefill professional seeking a hands-on operational leadership role within a rapidly expanding underground mine.

Key Accountabilities

Paste Plant Operations & Optimisation

• Lead the safe and efficient operation of the underground paste plant to meet backfill demand.
• Monitor and optimise paste plant performance including throughput, mix quality, and system reliability.
• Implement operational improvements to maximise plant availability and paste production capacity.
• Ensure operating procedures and quality control systems are implemented and maintained.

Paste Material Supply & Logistics

• Coordinate with Processing to ensure consistent filtered tailings supply to the paste plant.
• Manage binder logistics, storage, and supply to maintain uninterrupted paste production.
• Monitor consumption rates and inventory levels of paste materials.
• Coordinate paste production with the underground mining schedule to ensure timely stope filling.

Paste Distribution & Underground Infrastructure

• Oversee the installation, commissioning and expansion of paste reticulation infrastructure underground.
• Provide technical oversight of pipeline installation, system integrity and reliability.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis of paste system issues.
• Contribute to design improvements and future expansion of the paste fill network.

 Leadership & Development

• Provide leadership and mentoring to national supervisors, operators and crews.
• Support the development of local capability in paste plant operation and infrastructure installation.
• Coordinate paste activities across Mining, Processing, Maintenance and Projects teams.

Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Promote a strong safety culture within paste operations.
• Ensure compliance with site HSE policies and statutory requirements.
• Lead risk assessments and support incident investigations where required.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement across the paste fill system.

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• 5–10 years’ experience in paste fill operations or paste plant operations within underground mining.
• Strong understanding of paste plant systems, binder handling and underground paste reticulation networks.
• Experience coordinating paste production with underground mining schedules.
• Experience working in remote or international mining operations is advantageous.
• Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy or related discipline is desirable
• Strong operational leadership and team development capability.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple operational departments.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.

Life at K92 

K92 is an Equal Opportunity Employer, our commitment is to respect the rights of every individual to work to their highest potential, free from discrimination. Our values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect for others, Excellence and Safety are at the core of everything we do, and they are the foundation upon which our success has been built.

Our camp is well managed and provides residents with good, healthy meals made from locally sourced fresh produce as well as internet, cable tv and a gymnasium.

At K92, we want all employees to share in our success, so as well as a competitive salary, employees also participate in our long- and short-term incentive plans, we also provide employees with access to savings incentive programs, medical assistance and the option to salary sacrifice for certain expenses.

In addition to all of this, employees can also access our Wellbeing and employee assistance programs whilst working a friendly roster. 

TO COMPLY WITH PNG GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS ALL EXPATRIATE POSITIONS ARE OFFERED ON A FIXED TERM BASIS