Section Manager Drilling

Anglo American; Kathu; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Anglo American in South Africa seeks a Section Manager Drilling to implement guidelines, lead drilling operations, and develop subordinates to competency standards while achieving section targets.

The role emphasizes safety, cost control, stakeholder collaboration, and continuous improvement within the MIN department on a Band 6 level, reporting to the Mining Manager South.

Qualifications

• Grade 12.
• Relevant degree in B.Eng. Mining or BSc Mining (NQF7).
• Honours degree advantageous.
• Mining Manager’s Certificate of Competence.
• A3 Safety Certificate.
• Open Cast Blasting Certificate advantageous.
• SA Drivers Licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety and health principles by following operational risk management rules, taking personal responsibility, and fostering a safe workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, environmental, occupational health, safety, and risk management standards, procedures, and best practices relating to drilling operations.
• Lead visible safety practices, conduct workplace inspections, participate in risk assessments, and ensure the implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure drilling activities are executed in accordance with approved standards and operating procedures to eliminate injuries, incidents, and equipment damage.
• Execute weekly and monthly drilling plans to achieve quality, productivity, and volume requirements in support of mine production targets.
• Ensure drilling activities are aligned with mine plans, pit development requirements, and production schedules.
• Maintain drilling fleet availability, utilisation, and operational efficiency to optimise performance.
• Implement and oversee prescribed guidelines, standards, and legislation relating to drilling operations.
• Monitor drilling quality and accuracy to ensure compliance with design specifications and operational requirements.
• Manage drilling performance indicators and implement corrective actions where required to meet operational objectives.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Operational safety leadership

Education

B.Eng. Mining / BSc Mining (NQF7)

Honours degree (advantageous)

Grade 12

Tools

MS Office Suite

Advanced computer literacy

Job description

Company Description

We have an exciting opportunity for Section Manager Drilling. The purpose of this role is to implement and ensure compliance with prescribed guidelines and legislation for Drilling activities, streamline processes, develop subordinates to competency standards, and achieve section targets.

We’re the best in the industry.

You’ll make us better.

Guided by our purpose and our values, we enable both high performance and purposeful action as we aim to “re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives", delivering the metals and minerals that make modern life possible – from mobile phones to medicines.

Kumba Iron Ore

We produce high-grade iron ore, the key component in steel widely used in construction and manufacturing across the world. Our activities include all aspects – exploration; mining; processing and blending; shipping; marketing and selling. In South Africa, we have mining operations in the Northern Cape province, as well as a head office in Rosebank, Gauteng, and a port operation in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape.

Job Description

Safety, Health, and Environment

• Maintain safety and health principles by following operational risk management rules, taking personal responsibility, and fostering a safe workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, environmental, occupational health, safety, and risk management standards, procedures, and best practices relating to drilling operations.
• Lead visible safety practices, conduct workplace inspections, participate in risk assessments, and ensure the implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure drilling activities are executed in accordance with approved standards and operating procedures to eliminate injuries, incidents, and equipment damage.

Drilling Operations

• Execute weekly and monthly drilling plans to achieve quality, productivity, and volume requirements in support of mine production targets.
• Ensure drilling activities are aligned with mine plans, pit development requirements, and production schedules.
• Maintain drilling fleet availability, utilisation, and operational efficiency to optimise performance.
• Implement and oversee prescribed guidelines, standards, and legislation relating to drilling operations.
• Monitor drilling quality and accuracy to ensure compliance with design specifications and operational requirements.
• Manage drilling performance indicators and implement corrective actions where required to meet operational objectives.

Budget and Cost Control Management

• Assist with the compilation of the annual budget.
• Monitor spending and allocation of expenses to ensure appropriate reporting and cash flow management.
• Ensure sound financial practices per the approved budget for effective cost control and savings.
• Manage drilling-related operational costs, including labour, equipment, consumables, maintenance, and contractor expenditure.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity and reduce operational costs.

People Management

• Optimise human resources so that the section delivers maximum output by embedding work ethics, accountability, safety, and performance standards.
• Assess the training needs of the section against defined skill requirements and develop and implement training plans within authority limits.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop employees to achieve operational objectives and technical competency requirements.
• Ensure workforce capability and succession planning to support operational continuity.
• Manage employee performance in accordance with company standards and policies.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Build, manage, and maintain healthy stakeholder relations to achieve organisational goals.
• Collaborate closely with Mine Planning, Geology, Load and Haul, Drill and Blast, Engineering, SHE, and other operational teams to ensure alignment and delivery against mine plans.
• Provide relevant support and input and ensure continuous customer satisfaction through the delivery of quality drilling outputs that support production targets.
• Manage contractor and service provider relationships to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with contractual requirements.

Improvement Initiatives

• Manage drilling operations and processes safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively to meet short-term and long-term production objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and asset optimisation initiatives relating to drilling performance, equipment utilisation, safety, and productivity.
• Identify operational constraints and implement solutions to improve drilling efficiencies and overall mining performance.
• Promote innovation and best-practice drilling methodologies to enhance operational performance and business sustainability.

Environment Management

• Ensure compliance with all legislative regulations and company environmental standards to maintain a risk-free environment.
• Implement measures to minimise environmental impacts associated with drilling activities, including dust, noise, fuel management, and waste management.
• Identify improvement measures and solutions to eliminate the recurrence of incidents and pollution events.
• Ensure environmentally responsible operational practices that support sustainable mining objectives.

This role is in Mining (MIN) department on a Band 6 (D-Upper) level reporting to the Manager Mining South LA3.1(a)

Qualifications

• Grade 12
• Relevant Degree in B.Eng. Mining/ BSc Mining or equivalent on NQF7
• An Honours degree will be advantageous.
• Mining Manager’s Certificate of Competence
• A3 Safety Certificate
• Open Cast Blasting Certificate will be advantageous
• SA Drivers Licence

Technical Knowledge

• Extensive operational and technical knowledge with 6-8 years of experience in any mining value chain process, including 3 years of supervisory experience in drilling and blasting.
• Advanced Computer Literacy, MS Office Suite.
• Proficient in problem-solving abilities, demonstrating expertise in geotechnical and Rock Engineering, with the capacity to address and resolve complex challenges in mining environments.
• Posesses a comprehensive understanding of surface mining operations, including knowledge of extraction methods, material handling, and environmental considerations.
• Skilled in equipment management, showcasing the ability to oversee and optimise mining equipment use, ensuring operational efficiency and safety.
• Demonstrates expertise in process optimisation, employing advanced techniques to enhance mining processes, improve resource utilisation, and achieve operational excellence.
• Adheres to compliance with company policies and procedures, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and implementation of regulations and guidelines governing mining operations.

Additional Information

Anglo American is a global diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world‑class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine.

We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate and for society at large. Anglo American is re‑imagining mining to improve people’s lives.

Who we are?

Anglo American is a global diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world‑class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine.

We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate and for society at large. Anglo American is re‑imagining mining to improve people’s lives.

How We Are Committed To Your Safety

Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry. Not only that, we’re also continually investing in new technologies – from drones to data analytics – that are helping to make mining safer.

Inclusion and Diversity

Anglo American is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential.