Job Description:

As Drill & Blast Technician you will provide services as required and your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

Safety, Health, and Environment

• Consistently apply Safety and Health principles in all team interactions and take personal responsibility for the safety of self and others to ensure zero harm and the elimination of fatalities.
• Active participation in SLAMs, HPHs, relevant Risk Assessments and close-out of Safety Actions.

Performance and Delivery

Planning and Design:

• Design drill patterns for optimal blasting outcomes.
• Scrutinize and approve blast block designs to ensure safety and compliance.
• Monitor drilling operations to verify alignment with design specifications, including traffic management compliance.
• Monitor charging operations to ensure on-bench practices are adhered to and compliance to design
• Validate seismograph data to ensure optimal recording data for investigations and 3rd party assessment
• Review timing designs of blasts and ensure end-users are upskilled in the fault-finding process on-bench
• Technical fieldwork, including reactive ground, rock response, lacing of blast holes, borehole calliper, etc.

Training and Certification:

• Train and prepare individuals for blasting certification.
• Develop action plans for candidates to achieve certification requirements.
• Assist with technical fault finding during timing and firing operations.

Continuous Improvement:

• Share knowledge on blasting practices and recommend proactive measures for compliance.
• Research and analyse novel blasting technologies for potential adoption.
• Provide technical support to ensure compliance with blasting standards.
• Enhance drill patterns and sequences for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Optimize drilling equipment for maximum productivity and reduced downtime.
• Implement the latest drilling technologies to improve penetration rate.
• Work closely with explosives suppliers to optimise product performance and provide quality recons to ensure continuous A&I process.

Budget Management:

• Provide input on expenditure within the approved budget for effective cost control.
• Cost validation on consumables and norms, i.e. bits, rods, accessories, bulk explosives, et al.

Validation and Documentation:

• Validate drilling and charging operations to ensure adherence to design specifications.
• Support D&B Engineer with documentation and technical assistance in-field, as well as weekly D&B Reconciliation.

Software Execution and Data Accuracy:

• Execute BlastMaster for blast design, optimisation, and scheduling.
• Ensure the accuracy of data in BlastLogik for performance tracking and analysis.
• Ensure data accuracy of the HP GPS system on Drills; ensure accurate socket data.
• Misfire management.
• This role is in the Technical & Integrated Planning (T&IP) at a Band 7 level reporting to the Section Manager Drill & Blast Technical.

Qualifications:

• Grade 12
• Higher National Certificate on NQF5 (NATED N4/N6 Certificate)
• Mining Degree (NQF7) Explosives Management (Preferred)
• Hard Rock Mining Certificate (Preferred)
• Opencast Blasting Ticket
• SA Drivers License

Experience

• Operational experience as a supervisor or Mine Overseer in Blasting or Drilling logistics.
• 3-4 years of experience in Blasting and Drilling Operations, with preference for Surface / Open Pit Mining.
• Explosives engineering/explosives handling.
• Autonomous drilling / HP GPS Drilling systems.