Superintendent Drill & Blast

Mineral Resources; Shire Of East Pilbara; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

World Class Facilities

Career Development

Comprehensive Benefits

Job summary

MinRes is seeking a highly experienced Drill and Blast Superintendent to lead our drill and blast operations at Wodgina Lithium on a 5/2, 4/3 roster. Drive optimisation of drill rig performance while ensuring safe, cost-effective execution aligned with production targets.

Lead a team of supervisors, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage budgets and KPIs to continuously improve productivity and safety at the site in the Pilbara region.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within hard-rock open-pit mining.
• Proven leadership in large-scale drill and blast ops and contractor performance.
• Current WA Quarry Manager’s Certificate of Competency (or ability to obtain).
• Strong knowledge of blasting software and mine planning tools.
• Familiarity with lithium or hard rock operations is desirable.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong safety leadership and risk management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily drill and blast operations in line with the mine plan and production schedule.
• Manage and mentor a team of supervisors and crews.
• Ensure strict safety, environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and monitor drilling and blasting KPIs for productivity and efficiency.
• Collaborate with mine planning, production and geology teams to optimise blast designs.
• Oversee planning, execution, and QA of drilling and blasting activities (pattern design, timing, loading, firing).
• Ensure asset utilisation and maintenance coordination for drill rigs.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits to maintain high safety standards.
• Control drill and blast costs and assist in budgets and forecasts.
• Champion a strong safety culture and site safety management systems.

Skills

Senior leadership

Drill & blast

Contractor management

Communication

Safety leadership

Education

WA Quarry Manager’s Certificate

Tools

Blast design software

Mine planning tools

Job description

• World Class Facilities: Experience mining excellence at sites equipped with cutting-edge facilities – enjoy award-winning meals crafted by MinRes’ own professional chefs.
• Career Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Upskill, lead, and thrive through industry-leading training, mentoring, and leadership development programs.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value what matters most. Access a range of benefits designed to support your family, health, wellbeing, lifestyle, and financial future.

• World Class Facilities: Experience mining excellence at sites equipped with cutting-edge facilities – enjoy award-winning meals crafted by MinRes’ own professional chefs.
• Career Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Upskill, lead, and thrive through industry-leading training, mentoring, and leadership development programs.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value what matters most. Access a range of benefits designed to support your family, health, wellbeing, lifestyle, and financial future.

MinRes can offer you!

• World Class Facilities: Experience mining excellence at sites equipped with cutting-edge facilities – enjoy award-winning meals crafted by MinRes’ own professional chefs.
• Career Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Upskill, lead, and thrive through industry-leading training, mentoring, and leadership development programs.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value what matters most. Access a range of benefits designed to support your family, health, wellbeing, lifestyle, and financial future.

The Opportunity

MinRes is seeking a highly experienced and proactive Drill and Blast Superintendent to lead our drill and blast operations at Wodgina Lithium, on a 5/2, 4/3 roster.

This pivotal role will drive the optimisation of drill rig performance and ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of all drilling and blasting activities in line with production targets and site objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily drill and blast operations, ensuring alignment with the mine plan and production schedule.
• Manage and mentor a team of supervisors and crews
• Ensure strict compliance with all safety, environmental, and statutory regulations.
• Develop and monitor drilling and blasting KPIs, ensuring continuous improvement in productivity and efficiency.
• Liaise with mine planning, production, and geology teams to optimise blast designs and fragmentation.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and quality assurance of drilling and blasting activities, including pattern design, timing, loading, and firing.
• Ensure effective asset utilisation and maintenance coordination for the fleet of drill rigs.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits to ensure high operational and safety standards.
• Control drill and blast costs and assist in the preparation of budgets and forecasts.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure that all operations adhere to site-specific safety management systems

What is Required

• Extensive experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a hard-rock open-pit mining environment
• Proven leadership experience managing large-scale drill and blast operations and contractor performance.
• Current WA Quarry Manager’s Certificate of Competency (or ability to obtain).
• Strong knowledge of blasting software and mine planning tools.
• Familiarity with lithium or hard rock operations is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong safety leadership and risk management capabilities.

About Mineral Resources (MinRes)

MinRes is a leading diversified resources company with extensive operations in lithium, iron ore, energy and mining services across Western Australia. With a focus on people and innovation, MinRes has become one of the ASX’s best-performing companies since listing in 2006.

About Wodgina

The Wodgina lithium is a world class hard rock lithium asset, located 120km south of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. MinRes manages all mining operations at Wodgina, including a spodumene concentrate processing plant with an annual capacity of 900,000 tonnes (SC5.5).

Mineral Resources Limited is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applicants from a diverse background to apply.