Drill Rig Operator at Tharisa

Role Context

Compliance, Risk and Safety

• Attend daily safety meetings with the drilling team to discuss safe declarations and line up prior to any drilling work being conducted, to identify and report any substandard conditions.
• Participate in all safety initiatives and attend safety meetings to support identification and reporting of any safety hazards and unsafe work practices.
• Participate in risk assessments, including checking safe usage of drilling equipment and proper usage of PPE, to support the maintenance of a safe working environment.
• Support a safe work environment, by checking the Drill Rig prior to starting operations, marking items according to the pre-checklist to ensure all safety measures are met.
• Conduct risk assessment together with the Supervisor and other drilling team members, prior to starting drilling operations, to indicate the block to be drilled has passed the safety inspection.
• Check the block to be drilled is barricaded off prior to drilling to prevent injuries or accidents.
• Conduct continuous risk assessments throughout the day by proactively identifying and reporting identified risks within the areas of operation and collaborating with the various departments to support and maintain a safe working environment.
• Maintain and manage one’s own health and safety across the area of operations by adhering to all health and safety protocols and procedures to minimise any incidents within the working environment.

Drill Rig Operations

• Conduct drilling operations, in accordance with established procedures and safety protocols, and maintain high levels of productivity by efficiently completing drilling tasks within specified timeframes and achieving set targets.
• Optimise drilling techniques to maximise drilling rates while maintaining accuracy and precision.
• Ensure that the drill rig assistant measure each drilled hole using relevant tools, to ensure that holes are drilled to the correct depth as per the drilling plan.
• Strictly adhere to safety protocols and procedures, including the drill plan, during drilling operations to minimise accidents, injuries and equipment damage.
• Employ proper drilling techniques throughout the process to ensure that drilling blocks are properly squared up for charging activity to commence.
• Conduct regular quality control checks on drilling parameters and equipment performance to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Continuously observe and maintain the drilling cadence of the machine monitoring for dust and inefficiency.
• Ensure that the allocated drill rig assistant clean and plug holes to protect the integrity of the drilled holes, and ensure safety to the people who will be walking in and out of the drilling block. 
• Remove rods upon drilling completion, ensuring there is no contamination on other holes or damages to the GET.  

Resource Management

• Determine resource needs within own area of responsibility to achieve individual role outcomes.
• Request required assets and resources for the fulfilment of work duties to attain quality work outputs.
• Use assets and resources optimally within own area of responsibility.
• Inspect equipment, reporting on those reaching the end of their lifespan to management, to ensure proper functioning. 

Stakeholder Relations

• Engage with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of specialisation, as directed by the Manager.
• Communicate with internal and/or external stakeholders, where required, to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships.
• Communicate with the Supervisor to organize drill plans showing all holes staked on the ground.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Matric Grade 12 (NQF4).

Job specific experience:

• Minimum of 3 years' drilling experience in a mining environment.