Key Role Responsibilities:
Drill & Blast Planning and management
- Design blast patterns based on geological conditions.
- Optimise burden, spacing, stemming and powder factors.
- Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
- Develop daily, weekly and monthly drill and blast schedules.
- Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.
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.
Blast Performance- Analyse blast results and implement continuous improvements.
- Monitor fragmentation quality.
- Minimise fly rock, overbreak, backbreak and vibration.
- Improve diggability and downstream crusher performance.
Contractor Management- Monitor contractor productivity and compliance.
- Conduct performance reviews.
- Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.
Explosives Management- Manage explosive inventory.
- Monitor blast costs.
- Ensure accurate reporting and statutory records.
- Control explosive consumption and reconciliation.
Technical Reporting- Prepare production and blasting reports.
- Analyse KPIs and recommend improvements.
- Present monthly operational performance.
- Report on costs, productivity and safety.
People Management and 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.
Minimum Inherent Requirements- Bachelors Degree in Mining Engineering.
- Valid Blasting Certificate for Opencast Mines.
- Minimum 10 years' open-cast mining experience, within opencast mining operations.
- 5-7 years in a Drill & Blast supervisory/management role.
- Experience within explosives industry is highly advantageous.
- Contractor management
- Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) and the Explosives Act 15 of 2003.
- Valid driver's licence.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)- Blast compliance (% completed as planned)
- Powder factor optimisation
- Fragmentation quality
- Blast-induced vibration compliance
- Explosive cost per BCM/tonne
- Contractor performance
- Drill availability and utilisation
- Budget adherence and Cost management
Individual Competencies- Proven people management skills
- Good decision-making skills under pressure
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- Analytical and problem-solving ability
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
Follow Wakanda Jobs Zambia on WhatsApp
