Drill & Blast Manager (Open-Cast Coal Mining)

• To manage all drilling and blasting activities across the mine to ensure safe, cost-effective, legally compliant, and productive operations. The Drill & Blast Manager is responsible for blast design, execution, contractor management, fragmentation quality, vibration control, explosive management, and continuous improvement to support production targets.

Key Responsibilities:
Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with MHSA, Explosives Act and company standards.
• Develop and maintain drill and blast procedures.
• Lead risk assessments, pre-blast inspections and post-blast evaluations.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure safe storage, transport and use of explosives.

Drill & Blast Planning

• Develop daily, weekly and monthly drill and blast schedules.
• Design blast patterns based on geological conditions.
• Optimise burden, spacing, stemming and powder factors.
• Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
• Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.

Blast Performance

• Monitor fragmentation quality.
• Minimise fly rock, overbreak, backbreak and vibration.
• Improve diggability and downstream crusher performance.
• Analyse blast results and implement continuous improvements.

Contractor Management

• Manage drilling and explosive service providers.
• Monitor contractor productivity and compliance.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.

Explosives Management

• Control explosive consumption and reconciliation.
• Manage explosive inventory.
• Monitor blast costs.
• Ensure accurate reporting and statutory records.

Operational Leadership

• Lead Drill & Blast Supervisors and technical personnel.
• Coach and mentor team members.
• Manage departmental budgets.
• Participate in production planning meetings.
• Support operational excellence initiatives.

Reporting

• Prepare production and blasting reports.
• Analyse KPIs and recommend improvements.
• Present monthly operational performance.
• Report on costs, productivity and safety.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering.
• Valid Blasting Certificate for Opencast Mines.
• Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (advantageous).
• Minimum 10 years' open-cast mining experience.
• At least 5 years in a Drill & Blast management role.
• Coal mining experience is essential.
• Experience managing drilling and blasting contractors.
• Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).
• Valid driver's licence.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
• Drill availability and utilisation
• Blast compliance (% completed as planned)
• Powder factor optimisation
• Fragmentation quality
• Blast-induced vibration compliance
• Explosive cost per BCM/tonne
• Drilling productivity
• Coal recovery
• Contractor performance
• Budget adherence
• Production target achievement

Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Technical expertise in drill and blast engineering
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Cost management
• Contractor management
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Decision-making under pressure
• Continuous improvement minds