Drill & Blast Engineer at Anglo American

Job Description

This is a key role within the Mining Team where you will be responsible for:

• Monitor blasting activities, analyse results and submit recommendations to achieve the desired fragmentation.
• Scrutinise, inspect and approve blast block designs to ensure safe blasting practices and conformance to set standards and design Drill Patterns
• Provide advice to relevant stakeholders on surface blasting practices to proactively alleviate or avoid any unnecessary problems and to ensure statutory compliance at all times.
• Seek, test, analyse and evaluate the latest blasting technologies and make the necessary recommendations prior to implementation to ensure viability.
• Provide technical support on timing, initiation point, blasting sequence and tying up of holes to ensure conformance to set standards.
• Drill pattern, drill sequence, Drill Rod, B11 & Hammer Optimization and penetration rate optimisation.
• Manage the section's expenditure within the approved budget to ensure effective cost control and savings.
• Understand the complete KOTF structural changes for the Production North Mining Department and participate as an effective team member working collaboratively with the Manager on the Department implementation plan and develop an implementation plan for approval for North Mining.
• Work with direct reports to ensure all clearly understand the KOTF changes that are to occur in respect to their roles and those of their team members and monitor KOTF implementation and work with Supervisors to correct any variations that may be occurring.
• Manage a safe and healthy work environment where workers and contractor can deliver their outputs within a controlled risk environment and keep environmental impact within statutory requirements to ensure compliance to statutory requirements is met.
• Training and prepare individuals who have to obtain a blasting certificate to ensure knowledge transfer and statutory compliance and compile action plans for candidates not yet competent to assist them in achieving the desired level of competence and certification.

This role is in the Mining Technical Services department on a Band 6 reporting to the Section Manager Blasting Technical Services

Qualifications

Qualifications

You will be required to have:

• Mining Engineer Degree 
• Opencast Blasting Ticket 
• Driver’s License:  Code B (Light Vehicle)

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• Operational experience of as a Blasting/Drilling Specialist within a Mining operations environment. 
• 4-6 years’ experience in Production, Blasting Operations, mine planning & pit layout. 
• Drilling and blasting related software understanding