Open-Cast Drill & Blast Manager | Safety, Optimization

Careermine; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Careermine is seeking a Drum & Blast Manager to oversee all drilling and blasting activities across the mine, ensuring safe, cost-effective and compliant operations. You will lead blast design, contractor management, fragmentation control and vibration mitigation to support production targets.

The role requires extensive open-cast mining experience, a degree in Mining Engineering, and a valid blasting certificate, with knowledge of MHSA and a driver’s licence.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.
• Ensure safe storage, transport and use of explosives.
• Develop daily, weekly and monthly drill and blast schedules.
• Design blast patterns based on geological conditions.
• Optimize burden, spacing, stemming and powder factors.
• Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
• Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.
• Monitor fragmentation quality.
• Minimise fly rock, overbreak, backbreak and vibration.
• Improve diggability and downstream crusher performance.
• Analyse blast results and implement continuous improvements.
• Manage drilling and explosive service providers.
• Monitor contractor productivity and compliance.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.
• Control explosive consumption and reconciliation.
• Manage explosive inventory.
• Monitor blast costs.
• Ensure accurate reporting and statutory records.
• Lead Drill & Blast Supervisors and technical personnel.
• Coach and mentor team members.
• Manage departmental budgets.
• Participate in production planning meetings.
• Support operational excellence initiatives.
• Prepare production and blasting reports.
• Analyse KPIs and recommend improvements.
• Present monthly operational performance.
• Report on costs, productivity and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Contractor management

Safety compliance

Planning & organisation

Analytical thinking

Education

Mining Engineering degree or ND

Mine Manager's Certificate (advantageous)

Job description

Careermine is seeking a Drum & Blast Manager to oversee all drilling and blasting activities across the mine, ensuring safe, cost-effective and compliant operations. You will lead blast design, contractor management, fragmentation control and vibration mitigation to support production targets.

The role requires extensive open-cast mining experience, a degree in Mining Engineering, and a valid blasting certificate, with knowledge of MHSA and a driver’s licence.