Blast Crew, MPU Operators and Shotfirers

Platinum Blasting Services; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7:7 roster

Camp facilities

DIDO or BIBO travel

Career progression pathways

Safety-first culture

Job summary

Platinum Blasting Services is seeking Blast Crew, MPU Operators and Shotfirers for New Burton Coal Mine in the Bowen Basin. Work on a brand-new site with a permanent 7x7 roster, offers on-site blasting leadership and a strong safety culture. Roles include blasting preparation, mobile mixing, and shotfiring oversight.

You will join a close-knit team, participate in pre-starts and post-blast checks, and contribute to daily targets while maintaining strict safety practices and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Must have rights to work in Australia and reside in Queensland.
• Experience in open cut mining and blasting operations.
• Valid Queensland explosives security clearance.
• Pre-employment checks including medical, drug and alcohol, background.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe handling, storage and transportation of explosives on site.
• Collaborate with crew to achieve daily blasting targets and report to supervisor.
• Complete pre-starts, risk assessments and site paperwork accurately.
• Lead and supervise blast planning, tie-ins and post-blast inspections.
• Maintain blast exclusion zones and record keeping for explosives reconciliation.

Skills

Safety mindset

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Standard 11

Queensland Shotfirer's Licence

Tools

RIIBLA201E Explosives Handling

RIIBLA203 Mobile Mixing

Heavy Vehicle Licence

Job description

Blast Crew, MPU Operators and Shotfirers

This isn’t just another job, it’s a chance to be part of a tight knit crew where your work matters and so do you.

Kick-start your next move in blasting with Platinum.

With a new contract at New Burton Coal Mine, we're building our crews from the ground up and are looking for experienced Blast Crew, MPU Operators and Shotfirers who have the relevant requirements for their role and are available to start soon. You'll be part of a brand-new team on site in the Bowen Basin. This is a permanent opportunity offering the flexibility of a 7:7 even time roster.

Why You'll Love Working with Us:

• 7:7 Even Time Roster (Thursday to Wednesday working 6 x 12.5 hour shifts and 1 x 9 hour shift)
• Great camp facilities
• Flexible travel - DIDO or BIBO
• Career growth - ongoing training and clear progression pathways from Blast Crew through to Shotfirer
• Mateship that matters - a team culture where safety and support come first
• Wellbeing support - your loved ones can access EAP for support with career, managing finances, confidential counselling, etc.

The Roles

We're recruiting for all roles for New Burton Coal Mine. You'll be confident delivering safe and efficient blasting every day and reporting to the Shift Supervisor.

• Blast Crew - handle explosives in preparation for blasts, working as part of a tight-knit crew.
• MPU Operators - operate our Mobile Processing Units to safely mix and deliver bulk explosives to the bench.
• Shotfirers - lead the bench, taking accountability for the safe preparation, tie-in and firing of each shot.

What You'll Do

All roles:

• Safe use, storage, security, transport and handling of explosives
• Working collaboratively with the crew to achieve daily targets
• Completing pre-starts, risk assessments and site paperwork accurately

Blast Crew:

• Dipping, priming, loading, stemming and tie-in of blast patterns
• Operating ancillary equipment such as stemming loaders

MPU Operators:

• Operating and conducting pre-start checks on the MPU
• Mobile mixing and loading of bulk explosives to the blast pattern
• Monitoring product quality and delivery volumes to the shot plan

Shotfirers:

• Planning and supervising the loading and tie-in of blast patterns
• Conducting pre-blast and post-blast inspections, including misfire management
• Managing blast exclusion zones and firing the shot in line with site procedures
• Completing shotfiring records and explosives reconciliation

What You'll Need

Must-haves (all roles):

• Right to work in Australia and based in Queensland
• Previous experience in an open cut mining environment
• Standard 11 or willing to obtain one
• Valid QLD Explosives Security Clearance Card
• Able to pass pre-employment checks including medical, drug and alcohol and background check

Blast Crew:

• Statement of Attainment for explosives handling or relevant RIIs e.g. RIIBLA201E - Support Shotfiring Operations

MPU Operators:

• RIIBLA203 - Conduct Mobile Mixing of Explosives (non-negotiable)
• Statement of Attainment for explosives handling or relevant RIIs e.g. RIIBLA201E - Support Shotfiring Operations
• Heavy Rigid (or greater) driver licence
• Previous MPU operating experience

Shotfirers:

• Current Queensland Shotfirer's Licence
• Demonstrated experience as a Shotfirer in an open cut mining environment
• Relevant RIIs required for explosives handling and shotfiring

Nice to have:

• Heavy Rigid (or greater) driver licence (Blast Crew and Shotfirers)
• Experience with electronic detonator systems
• Experience commissioning or starting up a new site

About Us

We're a bespoke blasting provider in the Australian mining industry with the goal of making mining easier for our clients.

We're not aiming to be the largest, we're focused and pride ourselves on being the most recommended provider. That means better service, better safety, and a culture where people genuinely support each other.

Diversity & Inclusion

While diversity matters to us, we value inclusion because it means our people can be themselves. Every idea and perspective shapes the way we work together to deliver for our clients and support our crews. Whoever you are, you're welcome to bring your skills and experience to Platinum, just as you are!

Ready to join a team that’s redefining blasting?