Otago Drill & Blast Superintendent – Residential Role

OceanaGold Corporation; Macraes; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Residential role

9-day fortnight roster

Bonus program

Study assistance

Healthcare

Job summary

OceanaGold is seeking a Senior Drill and Blast Supervisor to lead open pit blasting programs in Otago, NZ. The role focuses on safe, cost-effective blasting execution, schedule adherence and improving fragmentation to meet production targets.

The incumbent will coordinate drilling, charging, blasting and reporting, work with engineering and geotechnical teams, and develop a high-performance crew while maintaining compliance with regulatory and company standards.

Qualifications

• NZ Certified Handler License for Storage, Handling and Use (or ability to obtain quickly).
• NZ A Grade Quarry Manager Certificate of Competence (preferred, or ability to obtain within 12 months)
• 10+ years of open pit mining experience including significant drill and blast experience
• Experience in managing large scale drill and blast operations, including team leadership.
• Demonstrated contractor and commercial management experience.
• Strong knowledge of drilling operations including different drilling methods
• Strong knowledge of explosives products, including current electronic blasting practices and regulatory requirements

Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture across drill and blast operations
• Ensure compliance with all legislative and company requirements
• Lead incident investigations and risk assessments within drill and blast area
• Work closely with the engineering team to review drill and blast schedules and then commit to schedule delivery
• Coordinate all drilling, charging, blasting and reporting activities in accordance with the mine plan
• Identify and implement drill and blast optimisation opportunities
• Work closely with the engineering, geotechnical, geology, maintenance and operations teams to deliver broken rock that meets business requirements, including diggability, ore dilution and wall control
• Lead and develop drill and blast supervisors and operational teams
• Foster and implement a high performance culture focussed on safety, personal and team accountability and service delivery
• Monitor drilling, blasting and contractor costs
• Manage drill consumable supply and specifications to minimise the drilled cost/m without compromising safety or quality
• Manage the explosives service and supply contract(s) in accordance with the contract provisions and within OGC contract management frameworks with the aim of delivering the most value for OGC
• Work closely with the Continuous Improvement team to deliver drill and blast improvement projects.
• Benchmark drill and blast performance against industry best practice.

Skills

Open pit mining

Drill and blast ops

Contractor management

Safety leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

NZ Certified Handler License

NZ A Grade Quarry Manager Certificate

Tools

Explosives handling

Blasting methods

Schedule coordination

Job description

OceanaGold is seeking a Senior Drill and Blast Supervisor to lead open pit blasting programs in Otago, NZ. The role focuses on safe, cost-effective blasting execution, schedule adherence and improving fragmentation to meet production targets.

The incumbent will coordinate drilling, charging, blasting and reporting, work with engineering and geotechnical teams, and develop a high-performance crew while maintaining compliance with regulatory and company standards.