Mine Engineer Trainee

Vulcan Materials; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Materials is seeking an entry-level Blasting Engineer Trainee in the United States to focus on safe and economical blast layouts and designs. The trainee will report to an experienced D&B Engineer and collaborate with drillers and blasters to optimize blast and timing designs across the region.

Responsibilities include learning to plan shots, adjust patterns, read mine maps, and perform audits while pursuing necessary licenses (ATF status and state blasting license).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; BS in Mining or Explosive Engineering preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain ATF employee possessor status.
• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain the required state blasting license.
• Zero to three years of mining experience preferred.
• Strong computer, software, and instrumentation skills; excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Learn to plan and design shots to optimize production while meeting standards.
• Adjust blast patterns for optimization in a safe design.
• Read mine maps to guide facility and pit planning.
• Fly a drone and use blast design software; obtain drone license if needed.
• Complete drilling and blasting audits and review shots on video.
• Prepare shot layout diagrams and related reports.

Skills

Computer skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

BS in Mining or Explosive Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Drone-based blast design software

Blast design software

Job description

This entry level Blasting Engineer Trainee position focuses on safe and economical blast layouts and designs. The trainee will report to an experienced D&B Engineer and work alongside internal and external drillers and blasters, learning how to optimize blast and timing designs across the region.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Ability to understand, interpret, and comply with Vulcan’s Drilling and Blasting Standards and all Federal (including MSHA, ATF, etc.), Local and State regulations as it relates to drilling, blasting, and general safety regulations
• Travel to various assigned locations as necessary, including interstate travel
• Ability to learn, understand, apply, and teach:
  • Plan and design shots to optimize the production process while maintaining company standards for air overpressure, ground vibration, and compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements
  • Adjust standard patterns for optimization by addressing burden, spacing, angles, diameter, depths, etc. in a safe and appropriate design
  • Read and understand mine maps in order to guide facility management with mine and pit planning
  • Ability to fly a drone and use the associated blast design software; must have a drone pilot license or have the ability to acquire
  • Ability to complete drilling and blasting audits
  • Measure and audit the accuracy of drilling operations and drill logs and be proficient with instruments such as laser profiler, bore track, and stem align
  • Must have or obtain in short order a TN blasting license
  • Comply with all Federal and State regulations and protocols for safety, blasting agent on‑site inventory or storage, and blasting
  • Work with plant management and blasting vendors to ensure delivery of the correct and necessary amount of blasting agents according to shot design
  • Perform administrative duties related to the blasting program such as computer‑generated shot reports, pre‑charging survey, and post‑blast surveys, review and analyze all shots on video, and complete shot layout diagrams

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; B.S. degree in Mining or Explosive Engineering is preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain ATF employee possessor status
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain and maintain the necessary state blasting license
• Experience: Zero to three years in mining preferred
• Skills: Requires strong computer skills and the ability to use trade related software and technical instruments; requires exceptional communication and interpersonal skills