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Surface Mining Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

NewRange Copper Nickel

Project Director

Hoyt Lakes, MN · On-site

$199K - $235K/yr

Reporting to the President & General Manager, the Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, governance, and successful delivery of major capital projects within a surface mining ...

NEWRANGE COPPER NICKEL LLC

Project Director

Hoyt Lakes, MN · On-site

$199K - $235K/yr

Reporting to the President & General Manager, the Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, governance, and successful delivery of major capital projects within a surface mining ...

P&C Recruiting and HR

Project Director

Minneota, MN

$199K - $235K/yr

... surface mining environment. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are executed safely, on time, and within budget, while aligning with organizational strategy and capital objectives. The ...

AK Steel

Mine Drill and Blast Engineer

Hibbing, MN · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

S. inMine Engineering or related fieldor equivalent. * 5-7 years of recent mining experience ... Must be able to physically perform all these responsibilities safely: walk on uneven surfaces ...

Epiroc

Robotic Welder

Two Harbors, MN · On-site

$23.50 - $34/hr

Epiroc is a global leader in mining and infrastructure equipment, and we're proud to support ... surface and underground applications. We also offer world-class service and other aftermarket ...

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Surface Mining information

See Minnesota salary details

$16

$26

$33

How much do surface mining jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for surface mining in Minnesota is $26.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $29.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Surface Mining vs Underground Mining?

AspectSurface MiningUnderground Mining
Work EnvironmentOpen pits, exposed to weatherUnderground tunnels and shafts
Required CertificationsMining safety training, heavy equipment operationMining safety training, underground safety protocols
Industry UsageCommon in coal, copper, and gold miningUsed for minerals like gold, silver, and zinc
Work ConditionsOutdoor, physically demanding, high visibilityConfined spaces, potentially hazardous

Surface Mining involves extracting minerals from open pits, offering outdoor work with heavy machinery. Underground Mining requires working in tunnels below the surface, with safety protocols for confined spaces. Both roles demand safety certifications and are vital in the mining industry, but differ mainly in environment and method of extraction.

What are some common challenges faced by surface mining professionals, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Surface mining professionals often encounter challenges such as managing site safety, adapting to changing weather conditions, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. To address these, it's important to follow strict safety protocols, participate in regular training, and maintain clear communication with supervisors and team members. Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest industry practices and technology helps professionals operate more efficiently and mitigate risks on the job.

What is surface mining?

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals located close to the Earth's surface, as opposed to underground mining. It involves removing soil, rock, and other materials (overburden) to access the desired mineral deposits. Common types of surface mining include open-pit mining, strip mining, and quarrying. This method is widely used for mining coal, iron, copper, and various other minerals. Surface mining is generally more cost-effective and safer than underground mining, but it can have significant environmental impacts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in surface mining, and why are they important?

To thrive in Surface Mining, you need knowledge of mining techniques, equipment operation, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with heavy machinery, GPS surveying systems, and mining-specific software like MineSight or Surpac is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving abilities are vital soft skills in this field. These skills ensure efficient, safe extraction of resources while minimizing environmental impact and maintaining regulatory compliance.
What are popular job titles related to Surface Mining jobs in Minnesota? For Surface Mining jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Surface Mining jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Surface Mining jobs in Minnesota are:
Surface Mining jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surface Mining job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,670 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Project Director

NewRange Copper Nickel

Hoyt Lakes, MN • On-site

$199K - $235K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Project Director
NewRange Copper Nickel is searching for a highly motivated and committed individual for our Project Director position. Reporting to the President & General Manager, the Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, governance, and successful delivery of major capital projects within a surface mining environment. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are executed safely, on time, and within budget, while aligning with organizational strategy and capital objectives.
The Project Director provides direction to project leadership, including the Project Controls Manager, and is accountable for approving project baselines, major changes, and overall project performance outcomes.
The Project Director serves as an Officer of the Company and maintains a dotted line accountability to the Board of Managers for project delivery, governance, and performance.
The successful candidate will work out of the NewRange office in Hoyt Lakes. Minnesota.
More information on NewRange is available at https://newrangecoppernickel.com/
Job Summary
Reporting to the President & General Manager, or any other individual designated by the Company, the Project Director is accountable for the overall leadership, governance, and successful delivery of major capital projects within a surface mining environment. This role is responsible for ensuring projects are executed safely, on time, and within budget, while aligning with organizational strategy and capital objectives.
The Project Director provides direction to project leadership, including the Project Controls Manager, and is accountable for approving project baselines, major changes, and overall project performance outcomes.
The Project Director serves as an Officer of the Company and maintains a dotted line accountability to the Board of Managers for project delivery, governance, and performance.
All roles at NewRange serve as a courageous safety leader, leading by example and fostering a proactive safety and sustainability culture based on the common values of health, safety, environment, and communities.
Responsibilities
Safety & Leadership
  • Provide visible leadership and strategic direction to multidisciplinary project teams.
  • Establish clear accountability across the project team, promoting high performance and continuous improvement.

Project Governance & Strategy
  • Establish and maintain project governance, execution strategy, and delivery frameworks aligned with business objectives.
  • Ensure appropriate project controls systems, standards, and processes are in place.
  • Approve project scope, execution plans, and delivery strategies.
  • Lead stage-gate processes and ensure readiness for all major capital approval milestones (e.g., PFS, FS, FID).
  • Ensure alignment with JV partners on project scope, strategy, and execution approach.

Project Execution & Delivery
  • Fully accountable for successful delivery of projects across all phases, from concept through commissioning and close-out.
  • Ensure integration across engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
  • Ensure construction readiness, including contracting strategy, execution planning, and site mobilization.
  • Oversee commissioning and handover to operations to ensure operational readiness and performance outcomes.
  • Lead resolution of complex project issues and remove barriers to execution.

Cost, Schedule & Risk Accountability
  • Accountable for overall project cost, schedule, and risk outcomes.
  • Review and approve project budgets, schedules, forecasts, and key performance metrics.
  • Ensure effective risk management frameworks are in place and that critical risks are mitigated.
  • Approve major changes, including scope, cost, and schedule adjustments.
  • Ensure a fully integrated project controls framework (cost, schedule, risk, and change management) is in place and actively informs decision-making.
  • Operate within delegated authority limits and escalate material risks, deviations, and decisions as required.

Stakeholder Coordination & External Relations
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, including operations, maintenance, and executive leadership.
  • Maintain alignment with JV partners and facilitate decision-making across a multi-stakeholder governance structure.
  • Ensure integration of permitting, regulatory, and environmental requirements into project design, schedule, and execution strategy.
  • Oversee engagement with external stakeholders, including contractors, engineering firms, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
  • Ensure clear communication of project status, risks, and strategic decisions.

Contract & Commercial Oversight
  • Provide oversight of contracting strategies and major commercial decisions.
  • Ensure alignment between contract execution and project objectives.
  • Support resolution of significant commercial and contractual issues.

Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead and mentor project leadership, including Project Managers and the Project Controls Manager.
  • Establish team structure, roles, and performance expectations.
  • Support development of internal capability and succession planning.

Other Duties
  • Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet operational needs.

This job description is intended to provide a summary of the typical functions of the job and is not a comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. NewRange reserves the right to modify or assign other duties as necessary to meet operational needs.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mining, Construction Management, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred
  • Minimum 15 years of experience in mining or heavy industrial projects, including leadership of large capital projects.
  • Demonstrated accountability for full project lifecycle delivery (cost, schedule, scope).
  • Professional designation (e.g., PE.) and/or PMP certification is strongly preferred.
  • Experience working with EPC/EPCM contractors and owner's teams.
  • Strong understanding of governance, project controls, and capital project delivery models.

Skills and Abilities
  • Strong leadership and decision-making capability in complex project environments.
  • Strategic mindset with the ability to align project execution to business objectives.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen.
  • Ability to provide clear direction and make decisions with incomplete information.
  • Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams.
  • Results-driven with the ability to manage competing priorities.
  • Proficient in project management systems and reporting tools.
  • Willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Physical Job Requirements & Working Conditions
This role requires the ability to work in both office and active project site environments, including occasional travel to operating or construction sites. Physical requirements may include extended periods of sitting and computer use, walking on uneven terrain, climbing stairs or accessing elevated platforms, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, respiratory protection and high-visibility clothing. The position may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, and other typical construction or industrial site environments, while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and compliance with all health, safety, and environmental standards.
Refer to the position-specific Physical Inventory for details.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
NewRange is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary Description
$199,000-$235,000 Annually

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