Drilling Foreman at Tharisa

Role Context

Drilling Management

• Supervise the operational drilling across TM by implementing and driving adherence to the daily plan and established targets as well as monitoring the use, management, and maintenance of all drilling equipment.
• Implement the drilling procedure at TM by ensuring blocks are first appropriately cleaned, holes are drilled to the predetermined depth and width and are appropriately charged for blasting.
• Minimise the operational cost per shift by ensuring all resources used in the drilling function are used as efficiently as possible by limiting errors and planning the implementation of the daily plan optimally.
• Supervise the drilling shift by providing guidance and enforcing adherence to drilling and operational targets as well as to ensure that safety meeting, safe declarations and risk assessments are done before drilling commences.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives within the Drill 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.
• Drive sustainable drilling practices across the Drilling function by optimising the use of materials and implementing the most effective D&B designs to produce a maximum yield of reef and ore.
• Enforce comprehensive safety management protocols, in relation to the drilling functions operating requirements of the equipment, 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 drilling equipment.
• Drive and enforce compliance around all drilling practices within Tharisa Minerals.
• Compile shift specific data by analysing shift performance against their established kpi’s and monitoring their achievement of their kpi’s and raising any potential concerns with the Pit Superintendent to ensure operations are optimised.
• Conduct an initial inspection of the drilling site, identifying any blast misfires and cracks and provide shift specific reports on daily operating effectiveness and tracking towards the daily plan ensuring targets are met.
• Implement all relevant standard operating procedures required throughout the course of the shift’s operation ensuring the team operates as safely as possible whilst also ensuring the maintenance of equipment, driving the optimal functioning of the drilling operations.

Financial Management

• Follow budgeting guidelines and bring about the necessary changes to curb costs to achieve annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring planned spend and budget for the drilling function is not exceeded. 

Health and Safety

• 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.
• Conform to the Mine Health and Safety Act guidelines in terms of safety by continuously updating drilling procedures ensuring that they are understood and implemented by all drilling staff.
• Facilitate the daily Safety meeting before proceeding to the worksite ensuring all staff in the function are aware of the Health and Safety requirements of the mine and the specific worksite to minimise any unnecessary risk.
• Monitor the use of the personal protection equipment (PPE) by the drilling function at TM, reporting any additional PPE requirements to ensure the safety of the team and compliance to operating procedures.
• Conduct inspections of the drilling sites, clearing any non-compliant materials and equipment driving safety and ensuring all operations are conducted optimally.
• Conduct site risk assessments to determine the safety and level of risk for operations and implement steps to reduce the risks to the operation.

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.

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.

Qualifications

• Matric Certificate /Grade 12 (NQF4).
• Blasting Certificate / Rock breaking equivalent MQA qualifications in Surface Mining
• Competent “A” certificate
• Valid First Aid certificate
• Fire Fighting certificate
• Production Foreman certificate/proof

Job specific experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years mining experience in open cast mining of which 2 years should be as a production supervisor.
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools : MS Power BI