General Role Purpose (brief description)

• Coordinate and manage Drill and Blast Operations activities to achieve mine plans and Drill and Blast targets and budgets.
• Provide mentoring and leadership to Drill and Blast Superintendents at the Enterprise Nickel Mine and Sentinel Copper Mine.
• Ensure safe operating practices and maximum equipment utilisation through sound operating practices and processes and compliance with Asset Management Strategies.

Qualifications (required for job)

• Degree or Diploma in Mining or related discipline.
• Business related courses, i.e. Financial Management, Contract Management, Human Resources or similar, are desirable.
• Valid driver’s license.

Knowledge and Experience

• Working knowledge of the regulatory environment for drill and blast/mining/heavy industry, specifically accountabilities for a Mine Operations Superintendent
• Sound understanding of contemporary open pit mining practices and principles and associated equipment and technology.
• Proven capacity to lead, motivate and develop teams.
• Computer literacy in the use of Microsoft Suite applications.
• Time management, planning and prioritising skills.
• Proven and effective people management skills.
• Prior experience with managing drill and blast contracts.
• Experience leading and managing large teams of 100+ people.
• Demonstrated minimum of 15 – 20 years in open pit mining across multiple sites and commodities.
• Experience with multiple pit operations, utilising ultra-class machinery, preferably in developing countries.
• Excellent working knowledge of mine Fleet Management Systems.
• Experience in the preparation and management of operating budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate labour, equipment and materials.

Core Specific Responsibilities and Expected Deliverables

• Liaise closely with key stakeholders to establish mine plans and Drill and Blast requirements and ensure allocation and availability of appropriate resources to achieve plans.
• Coordinate plans and utilise available equipment and resources to achieve Drill and Blast schedule.
• Utilise and ensure full compliance and understanding of the Fleet Management System, Modular Provision and BlastIQ to maximise productivities.
• Ensure teams have an understanding of the FQM Asset Management Strategy and that all equipment is operated and maintained to achieve whole-of-life plans.
• Liaise closely with Maintenance regarding scheduled equipment maintenance requirements, and plan for equipment downtime in accordance with Asset Management Strategies.
• Manage the recruitment, selection and training of personnel to ensure maximum utilisation and maintenance of equipment assets.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and communicate operational priorities in line with business and improvement strategies to the teams
• Develop and maintain effective networks through collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Manage the engagement and performance of external contractor suppliers and monitor the quality and standard of services delivered by external contractors through Contracts.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Legislation and Statutory obligations as under Mine Safety Regulations.
• Manage Drill and Blast area budgets to achieve business outcomes.
• Prepare Monthly cost variation reports that explain significant deviations against plan.
• Manage key contractors and contracts ensuring adherence to the budget cost and expected outcome.
• Promote and adhere to appropriate internal methodologies, policies, procedures and standards.
• Consistently maintain a high standard and quality of work across all allocated functions.
• Provide input/informed commentary, improvement opportunities and areas of risk to management.
• Actively contribute to an improvement culture by actively encouraging employees to participate in continuous improvement.
• Define training, development and performance expectations for employees. Mentor and coach performance against these standards, including conducting formal performance appraisals, implementing corrective and improvement initiatives in accordance with FQM policy.
• Ensure succession planning and development of team members including appropriate training and assessment in order for employees to competently, safely and productively perform all aspects of their role.

Behavioural Traits / Personal Characteristics

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to work in a “team” environment.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to maintain composure under stressful situations and conflicting priorities while providing leadership and direction
• Must be able to develop and maintain a cohesive team
• Vision to perceive risks and opportunities with superior decision-making ability to act on these accordingly.
• Ability to develop solutions in challenging environment.
• FQM’s culture is all about encouraging people to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best results through the company culture of:
  • Bolder: flexible, versatile, and prepared to take on challenges as needed.
  • Smarter: always looks for efficiencies and better ways of doing things
  • Driven: sets high standards, is motivated and determined.
  • Together: communicates well with peers and understand others’ views.