To supervise and co-ordinate the planning and execution of the Drill & Blast activities for the mine in accordance with laid down processes and procedures.

Role Accountabilities

• Build, develop and lead the open pit drill & blast team.
• Establish and maintain processes to provide a safe workplace to all employees and external service providers working within area of accountability.
• Supervise and execute processes to ensure that all environmental risks and emerging issues are identified, and mitigation plans are in place.
• Supervise and execute processes to ensure the development of optimized short term, medium and long term plans that ensure delivery of the budget requirements and the operations strategy.
• Ensure that resources are effectively used for efficient delivery of the Drill and Blast Plan
• Identify areas for improvement in operational blueprints (systems, processes, procedures & tasks) to ensure adherence to plan, reduce variation and maximize cost effective utilization.
• Supervise and execute systems to collect and manage operational data and to monitor performance.
• Supervise and execute systems for identifying opportunities to drive operational excellence.
• Ensure collaboration with all departments to achieve streamlined delivery to plan.
• Strategic planning and optimization of Drill and Blast activities
• Monitor and report compliance to Drill and Blast Standards
• Coordination and review of QA/QC, including use, blast vibration monitoring, fragmentation analysis, video camera, ability to di material, dilution, and ore loss from blasting.
• Monthly audits of Drill and Blast infrastructure, projects, and continuous improvement
• Monitor and review Blast Logic data from production drilling, bulk explosive loading, and blasting,
• End of the month calculation and provide drill and blast data as required to other departments.
• Provide specialist advice on drill and blast impacts to costs per ounce, and advice to identify and mitigate blasting related risks
• Monitor powder factors, bulk explosives, and consumables usage against budget
• Lead or assist with incident investigations involving explosive usage including misfires, fly rocks and excessive blast vibrations

Person Specifications

Qualification

• BSc Mining / Engineering Degree or equivalent operational experience
• Certified or eligible to be certified as a Mine Captain

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years working experience in related field within the mining industry

Technical & Other Competencies

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of fundamental open pit drill & blast production methods.
• Experience with large scale open-pit hard rock mining
• Experience in, progress claims and contract variations, preferably in a Mining Alliance environment
• Experience in managing mining and continuous improvement projects.
• Competent in at least one General Mining Package (Applicants with Data Blast, Datamine Studio OP, RIOBLAST, experience will be held in high regard), in addition to MS Office software including Excel and Project
• Excellent computer skills such as basic scripting
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in English
• Must possess very strong human relations skills and ability to interact with people of diverse culture and value.
• Shot firers certificate of competency or equivalent.
• Possess a valid driver’s licence and proficiency in driving light vehicle