Pit Superintendent at Tharisa

Purpose of Role

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

Role Context

Drilling 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.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Drilling 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 drilling 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 practices across the function by optimising the use of materials and implementing the most effective drilling 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

• Monitor the relevant shifts operational expenditure by tracking the utilisation of resources in relation the allocated targets and forecasted budget, actively working to minimise expenditure and reduce overall expenditure.
• Identify equipment reaching the end of its lifespan and recommend provisions be made for its replacement to maintain current drilling effectivity.
• Implement budgeting guidelines and bring about necessary changes to curb costs in order to achieve annual operating and capital budgets.                                             

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 operations.

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 team’s achievement of their established key performance areas, proactively identifying good and poor performance.
• Strong control and direction of Business Partners.

Resource Management

• Provide input into required changes in resources (financial or non-financial) to enable the achievement of team and/or own objectives.  
• Determine resource needs of the team and/or own area of work to achieve business outcomes. 
• Request and allocate required assets and/or resources for the fulfilment of work objectives to guarantee quality outputs. 
• Monitor the use of assets and resources within the team and own area of responsibility, to ensure assets and resources are consistently and appropriately utilised and managed. 
• Provide staff with day-to-day direction and tasks aligned with Departmental procedures, to enable the usage of less resources more efficiently. 
• Analyse production data and kpi’s to identify areas for improvement and develop and implement strategies to enhance the drilling functionality. 

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:

• Grade 12 (NQF 4)
• Bachelor’s degree/NHD/ Diploma (NQF7) in Mining/Geology or related field.

Certifications:

• Open cast Blasting Ticket

Job-specific experience:

• Minimum of 3 years mining experience in open cast mining as a Drilling Foreman
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools: MS Power BI