Senior Rock Blasting Engineer | Lead Innovation & Safety

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Relocation assistance

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Rock Blasting Engineer to lead blasting design and operations in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role requires deep blasting expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to drive safety and efficiency in a mining environment.

You will plan and optimize blasting campaigns, supervise crews, and coordinate with geology and production teams to align with mine plans, while ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Blasting Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years in mine blasting operations with at least 3 years in a senior or supervisory role.
• Proven experience with blast design software (Deswik, O-Pit3D, Vulcan).
• Strong knowledge of explosives, detonators, and initiation systems.
• Solid understanding of rock mechanics and geology related to blasting.

Responsibilities

• Develop blasting plans aligned with production targets and safety protocols.
• Conduct geological surveys and rock mass characterization for blast design.
• Select explosives and initiating systems considering fragmentation, vibration, and environmental impact.
• Supervise blasting crews and ensure safety procedures are followed.
• Use blast modeling software to design and simulate blasts for optimal outcomes.
• Monitor performance, analyze results, and drive improvements to fragmentation and cost.
• Investigate blasting incidents or deviations and report findings.
• Collaborate with geology and production teams to integrate blasting with the mine plan.
• Maintain accurate records of blasting activities and materials usage.
• Ensure compliance with South African mining regulations and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Risk assessment

Hazard identification

Team motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Blasting Technology, or related field

Tools

Deswik

O-Pit3D

Vulcan

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Rock Blasting Engineer to lead blasting design and operations in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The role requires deep blasting expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to drive safety and efficiency in a mining environment.

You will plan and optimize blasting campaigns, supervise crews, and coordinate with geology and production teams to align with mine plans, while ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.