Senior Specialist - Underground Drill & Blast (Safety / Quality Assurance / Quality Control / Mining Engineering) – East Africa

Reference: DSS01 - AA

Job Description:

The role will primarily focus on operations within underground mines. It involves close collaboration with operational stakeholders, the technical team, and contractors to ensure seamless underground operations. A key responsibility of the role is to support, develop, and train an efficient local team while implementing industry best practices for Drill & Blast within the underground mining environment.

Responsibilities:  

• Implement and uphold processes to ensure a safe working environment for all employees and external service providers within the assigned area of responsibility, adhering to site safety procedures.
• Deliver on-the-job training and mentorship to national Drill & Blast engineers and graduates while supporting drilling and blasting operators to achieve desired outcomes.
• Design, execute, and assess training programs for junior Drill & Blast engineers to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for underground drilling and blasting activities.
• Monitor drilling and blasting performance to ensure alignment with designs and production targets, adjusting priorities as needed.
• Perform quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of production drilling and charging activities using expertise, visual inspections, and technology.
• Provide input and oversee stope design, drill plans, preparation plans, charge plans, and associated activities.
• Coordinate the preparation of Drill & Blast plans with operational, technical, and contractor teams, ensuring timely delivery, high quality, and adherence to priority requirements.
• Participate in Mine Operations and Stope Note Meetings, collaborating effectively with technical, operational, and contractor teams.
• Lead the stope closure process, compiling closure notes that highlight successes and areas for improvement for presentation and signoff by stakeholders.
• Review and contribute to weekly and monthly operational underground plans to ensure alignment with the company’s objective of maintaining adequate ore feed for the plant.
• Update Drill & Blast guidelines to reflect industry best practices and advancements in technology.
• Optimize drilling and blasting parameters and resources to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with short-, medium-, and long-term underground planning teams to ensure schedules align with budgets and the long-term mine plan.
• Establish and maintain systems to identify environmental risks and implement mitigation strategies proactively.
• Dedicate your full effort and expertise to deliver assignments from your manager or their delegate.
• Foster collaboration across all disciplines through active engagement and interaction.
• Identify and address safety risks and emerging challenges by ensuring adequate focus and resources are directed to meet safety goals.
• Analyze data to identify and implement operational improvements as needed.
• Integrate the company’s safety and environmental policies into work practices to ensure mine designs and outcomes comply with both corporate and statutory requirements.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

• Bachelor of Mining Engineering
• Blasting Certificate.
• Site Entry requirements which may include mines Health Surveillance.
• 10+ years' proven experience in underground mine production with extensive experience on drilling and blasting in a senior role.
• Experience working with international mining contractors managing surface and / or underground drilling and blasting operations will be highly regarded.

Benefits and Contractual information:

• Permanent position

Please visit www.mining-recruitment-jobs.com for more exciting opportunities.

Duncan Spitzer

Recruitment Consultant

CA Mining                                       

CA Mining will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.

CA Global Headhunters is an international staffing company with a specific focus on recruitment in Africa. Our extensive, diverse candidate network built up over 10 years comprises the most skilled and experienced candidates. We recruit talent of the highest standards across African sectors, including Mining, Oil & Gas, Engineering, Banking, Finance, Legal, Insurance, Commodities, and Agriculture. As African markets continue to grow and develop, so too does our skill and expertise, ensuring that we deliver the best service to both clients and candidates.

Thanks to our access to global networks and resources, we understand our clients’ cultures, operations, business strategies, and industries. We are always on par with the latest technologies and trends which assist us in sourcing the best talent for clients. Whatever stage of the project lifecycle, we can put forward the right candidates with the right skills.