Underground Operator – Charge Up

Larvotto Resources Limited; Armidale; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

7/7 roster

Residential & DIDO options

Relocation assistance

Career development & training

Job summary

Larvotto Resources Limited is seeking an experienced Underground Charge-Up Operator to join our Hillgrove project near Armidale, NSW. The role involves charging and firing underground blasts, with a 7 days on/7 days off roster and day/night shifts.

DIDO and relocation support are available to suitable candidates living regionally. The successful candidate will manage charge-up tasks, work closely with mining teams, and comply with NSW explosives legislation and site procedures to ensure safe,

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years underground charge-up or blasting experience in a metalliferous mine.
• Strong understanding of blasting principles and timing systems.
• Experience with electronic detonators (i-kon, eDev, DigiShot or equivalent).
• Knowledge of ground support, hazard identification and stope readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely with high-risk materials under strict procedures.

Responsibilities

• Charge-Up operations including charging, priming, loading and stemming to designs.
• Prepare development faces and ensure correct tagging and barricading.
• Coordinate with site teams to ensure safe charging and blast outcomes.
• Operate charging gear and perform pre-starts, maintenance and troubleshooting.

Skills

Underground blasting experience

Charge-up operations

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Tools

RIIWHS202E Enter and Work in Confined Space

RIIWHS204E Work Safely at Heights

NSW Explosives Security Clearance (ESC)

NSW BEUL shotfirer Licence (Underground Metalliferous)

RIIBLA205E Store, Handle and Transport Explosives

RIIBLA401E Monitor Blasting Operations

Job description

Description

Join Larvotto Resources as we develop the Hillgrove Antimony and Gold Project near Armidale, NSW. We are seeking an experienced Underground Charge-Up Operator to join our growing underground operation on a 7 days on, 7 days off roster, rotating between day and night shifts.

Residential or DIDO Opportunity

For the first time, DIDO arrangements are available for this role, opening the opportunity to experienced candidates outside the immediate Armidale area. Our preference remains for employees to live locally, and relocation assistance is available; however, applications from both residential and DIDO candidates are genuinely encouraged and will be considered.

Position Overview / Purpose

The Underground Charge-Up Operator is responsible for safely preparing, charging and firing underground development and production blasts within Hillgrove’s mining operations. The role requires strict compliance with NSW explosives legislation, site procedures, and geotechnical controls.

This position plays a critical role in ensuring development advance, stope production cycles, and the safe operation of the mine by delivering high-quality charge-up work, managing explosives responsibly, and maintaining disciplined hazard control in all underground environments.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Charge-Up Operations

• Conduct all charging, priming, loading, stemming and tie-up of underground development headings, raises, stopes and special firing tasks in accordance with blast designs.
• Prepare development faces including barricading, scaling, washing down, lifter preparation, perimeter hole identification, and installation of appropriate tagging.
• Conduct tie-in of electronic, NONEL or pyrotechnic systems, ensuring correct delay timing and segregation of circuits.
• Execute misfire management procedures, isolating and reporting hazards immediately.
• Support specialist tasks such as secondary blasting, trim shots, brow firing, and blast vibration control where trained and authorised.

Safety, Ground Control & Hazard Management

• Carry out thorough pre-task inspections, Take-5s, JHAs and risk assessments before charging work
• Install barricades, signage and exclusion zones prior to firing.
• Enforce strict firing protocols including sirens, radio announcements, time checks and personnel clearances.
• Identify and elevate geotechnical hazards (voids, swelling ground, excessive overbreak, brow instability).

Coordination With Site Teams

• Work closely with jumbo operators, production drillers, survey and geology teams to ensure accurate preparation of charged areas.
• Communicate variations in drilled patterns, broken ground or water conditions that may impact charging or blast outcomes.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Operate light vehicles, IT loaders, ANFO loaders, emulsion charge rigs or mechanised charging systems depending on competency.
• Perform daily pre-starts, decontamination, hose flushing, calibration checks, and minor troubleshooting.
• Maintain charging gear, fittings, blast hoses and primers in clean, safe and functional condition.

About You

Tickets and licensing:

• Current Manual Drivers License
• RIIWHS202E – Enter and Work in Confined Space
• RIIWHS204E – Work Safely at Heights
• NSW Explosives Security Clearance (ESC)
• NSW BEUL shotfirer Licence (Underground Metalliferous)
• RII competencies relevant to charge-up, e.g.
• RIIBLA205E – Store, Handle and Transport Explosives
• RIIBLA401E – Monitor Blasting Operations (desirable)

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 2+ years’ underground charge-up or blasting experience in a metalliferous mine
• Strong understanding of blasting principles, explosives chemistry, timing systems and fragmentation standards.
• Experience working with electronic detonators (i-kon, eDev, DigiShot or equivalent).
• Knowledge of ground support, hazard identification, scaling and stope readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely with high-risk materials under strict procedural conditions
• Strong communication skills and reliability in high-pressure operational environments.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Provide a valid National Police Clearance obtained within the previous six months
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol screening, and comply with ongoing testing requirements during employment.

Why Join Larvotto Resources?

• Lifestyle-friendly 7/7 roster.
• Residential and DIDO arrangements available.
• Relocation assistance for employees moving to the Armidale region.
• Competitive remuneration based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to join a developing operation and contribute to its growth.
• Ongoing training, career development and advancement opportunities.
• A collaborative workplace with a strong focus on safety and operational excellence.

Larvotto Resources is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect.