Drill & Blast Manager (Open-Cast Coal Mining)

Ikwezi Mining (Pty) Ltd; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Ikwezi Mining (Pty) Ltd seeks an experienced Drill & Blast Manager to lead blasting operations at open-pit sites, ensuring safety, compliance, and cost efficiency.

You will plan daily to monthly drill and blast schedules, design blast patterns, manage contractors, and drive continuous improvement in fragmentation and plant performance.

Qualifications

• Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering is required.
• Minimum 10 years' open-cast mining experience.
• Minimum 5 years in a Drill & Blast management role.
• Coal mining experience is essential.
• Valid Blasting Certificate for Open Cast Mines.
• Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (advantageous).
• Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).
• Valid driver's licence.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with MHSA, Explosives Act and company standards.
• Develop and maintain drill and blast procedures.
• Lead risk assessments, pre-blast inspections and post-blast evaluations.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
• Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.
• Monitor fragmentation quality and blast costs.
• Manage drilling and explosive service providers.
• Prepare production and blasting reports and KPIs.
• Provide leadership to Drill & Blast Supervisors and technical personnel.

Skills

Drill & Blast Management

Leadership

Risk assessment

Contractor management

Budgeting & cost control

Safety & compliance

Incident investigation

Communication

Education

Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with MHSA, Explosives Act and company standards.
• Develop and maintain drill and blast procedures.
• Lead risk assessments, pre-blast inspections and post-blast evaluations.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure safe storage, transport and use of explosives.

Drill & Blast Planning

• Develop daily, weekly and monthly drill and blast schedules.
• Design blast patterns based on geological conditions.
• Optimise burden, spacing, stemming and powder factors.
• Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
• Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.

Blast Performance

• Monitor fragmentation quality.
• Minimise fly rock, overbreak, backbreak and vibration.
• Improve diggability and downstream crusher performance.
• Analyse blast results and implement continuous improvements.

Contractor Management

• Manage drilling and explosive service providers.
• Monitor contractor productivity and compliance.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.

Explosives Management

• Control explosive consumption and reconciliation.
• Manage explosive inventory.
• Monitor blast costs.
• Ensure accurate reporting and statutory records.

Operational Leadership

• Lead Drill & Blast Supervisors and technical personnel.
• Coach and mentor team members.
• Manage departmental budgets.
• Participate in production planning meetings.
• Support operational excellence initiatives.

Reporting

• Prepare production and blasting reports.
• Analyse KPIs and recommend improvements.
• Present monthly operational performance.
• Report on costs, productivity and safety.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering.
• Valid Blasting Certificate for Opencast Mines.
• Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (advantageous).
• Minimum 10 years' open-cast mining experience.
• At least 5 years in a Drill & Blast management role.
• Coal mining experience is essential.
• Experience managing drilling and blasting contractors.
• Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).
• Valid driver's licence.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
• Drill availability and utilisation
• Blast compliance (% completed as planned)
• Powder factor optimisation
• Fragmentation quality
• Blast-induced vibration compliance
• Explosive cost per BCM/tonne
• Drilling productivity
• Coal recovery
• Contractor performance
• Budget adherence
• Production target achievement
• Competencies
• Strong leadership and people management
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Technical expertise in drill and blast engineering
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Cost management
• Contractor management
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Decision-making under pressure
• Continuous improvement minds