Drill and Blast Manager at Tharisa

Purpose of Role

• To manage the overall operational requirements of the mine, as it relates to the Drilling and Blasting function of the mine, by optimising the extraction of the resources required through appropriate bench preparation, drilling, charging and blasting operations. To guide the Drill and Blast team by upskilling them ensuring best practices are implemented and all processes optimised for optimal fragmentation of resources at approved quality standards.

Role Context

Drill and Blast Management

• Manage the drilling function of TM by designing and implementing comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOP’s) ensuring that the planned blocks to be drilled are always correctly prepared for optimal exposure blasting and exposure of resources.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives within the function by implementing high quality drilling programmes ensuring all drilled holes are fit for purpose and the use of materials for blasting minimised.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Drill and Blast function by identifying new ways of working that reduce costs and optimise resource yield without compromising the safety of the personal on the mine and the operations in and of itself.
• Coordinate the compilation and implementation of the drill and blast designs by identifying maximum yield opportunities and optimising resources for extraction, in order to reduce costs and optimise the use of resources to meet the established targets.
• Drive sustainable drilling, blasting and mining practices across the D&B function by optimising the use of materials and implementing the most effective D&B designs to produce a maximum yield of reef and ore.
• Engage with the broader areas of specialisation in order to plan production goals for the week and extended periods by implementing and delivering against the various timelines and overall plans.

Financial Management

• Analyse all relevant Department data and report on Departmental trends and operating requirements so as to determine funding requirements for the financial year.
• Monitor short-term Departmental budgets by scrutinising and aligning spend within the Department, to support and drive effective and efficient functioning within budgetary constraints.
• Monitor Departmental expenditure against budget allocations, requesting appropriate reallocation as required, to manage the prevention of unnecessary spend.
• Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM) and other Tharisa Minerals (TM) regulations and policies by facilitating the right actions, to reduce financial risk in the Department.
• Implement and enforce comprehensive safety management protocols, in relation to the operating requirements of the equipment being utilised within the function, by upskilling the team members and ensuring total compliance to policies to reduce risk and minimise injuries or death on duty and driving the longevity of the mining equipment.
• Drive and enforce compliance around all drilling and blasting practices within Tharisa Minerals, creating alignment between organisational policies, procedures and statutory requirements of the operating jurisdiction.
• Design, analyse and monitor drilling reports in order to give feedback to the team based on their adherence and alignment to established practices, performance and achievement of operational targets.
• Monitor labour expenditure within the Drill and Blast function by tracking predicted, forecasted and budgeted staff costs against actuals ensuring the various departments manage their areas accordingly.

Health and Safety

• Manage and enforce regulatory frameworks and company COP guidelines in relation to Health and Safety by continuously updating all relevant policies and procedures as required and ensuring that they are appropriately communicated with the staff.
• Regularly engage with staff by running regular meetings ensuring all SHEQ policies and procedures are understood and adhered to.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with relevant industry regulations, safety protocols, and environmental standards related to drilling and blasting operations.

Operational Management

• Provide input to strategic plans of the section by compiling comprehensive operational plans, converting the Department into an enabler of the overall business strategy of the organisation.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant guidelines and other legislation, to make recommendations where policies, processes and/or procedures require amendment.
• Develop, enhance and implement policies, processes and Operational procedures that are within the respective Department aimed at the enhancement of service delivery and overall productivity within the Department.
• Develop and submit reports for review through the DMPR by collating and analysing production data to reflect the current operational view of TM.
• Coordinate the delivery of technical services by engaging with the various specialised departments regarding blast designs ensuring planned blasts are safe and optimal, from a geological, geohydrological issues are avoided or proactively mitigated.
• Review geological data and surveys to determine optimal drilling and blasting strategies that maximise productivity and minimise environmental impact.

People Management

• Create and maintain a conducive work environment by appropriately applying Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance is realised for the benefit of the Department and, by extension, the organisation.
• Lead the team according to TM’s leadership principles and values throughout the entire employee life cycle (performance management, reward etc) to ensure, inter alia, a high-performance culture.
• Drive strong performance management within the team by continuously assessing the teams achievement of their established key performance areas, proactively identifying good and poor performance.
• Strong control and direction of Business Partners.

Resource Management

• Manage the procurement and maintenance of drilling equipment, explosives, and related tools by collaborating with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment required for drilling and blasting activities at the most cost-effective rates.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure information, advice or opinions on relevant matters is made available and/or communicated with all relevant stakeholders, to manage expectations and timelines.
• Utilise opportunities presented to enhance the relationship between management, unions and employees, and implement processes to maximise a collaborative working relationship.

Job Requirements
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF7) /NHD/Diploma in Mining/Geology or related field 

Certifications:

• Open cast Blasting Ticket
• Mine Managers Certificate of Competency

Job-specific experience:

• Minimum of 8-10 years mining experience in open cast mining as a drilling foreman or blasting superintendent role (2-4 years’ experience)
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools: MS Power BI 

Inherent requirements

• Must be medically fit