PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE

The Senior Underground Drill & Blast Engineer is responsible for the design, optimisation and technical governance of underground drilling and blasting activities to ensure safe, efficient and cost-effective production.

The role develops and issues drill and blast designs aligned with approved mine plans and geotechnical constraints, while governing contractor execution to optimise fragmentation, control dilution and maintain stope stability in long-hole open stopping (LHOS) operations with cemented rockfill (CRF).

The position ensures drill and blast execution complies with approved designs, Company standards and statutory requirements, etc.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Drill & Blast Design & Optimisation

• Develop and issue drill and blast designs for development headings, slot raises and production stopes.
• Optimise burden, spacing, charging and timing parameters to achieve production targets while minimising dilution and overbreak.
• Ensure blast designs are aligned with geotechnical recommendations, approved stope sequencing and operational constraints.
• Conduct post-blast analysis and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

QA/QC & Performance Monitoring

• Establish and maintain QA/QC processes for drilling accuracy, charging practices and blast execution.
• Conduct routine underground inspections to verify contractor compliance with issued designs.
• Monitor blast performance including fragmentation, overbreak/underbreak, wall stability, vibration and dilution control.
• Support reconciliation processes through validation of blast outcomes against design intent.
• Maintain accurate blast design records, QA/QC documentation and performance dashboards.
• Analyse blast data to identify trends, risks and optimisation opportunities.

Contractor Execution & Compliance

• Communicate approved drill and blast designs clearly to the mining contractor for execution.
• Audit drilling accuracy, collar positioning, hole deviation and charging practices against approved design parameters.
• Investigate deviations from issued designs and require corrective action where execution does not meet approved standards.
• Monitor contractor compliance with explosives handling, storage and statutory requirements.
• Ensure blast execution adheres to Company HSE standards and regulatory obligations.
• Provide technical input into contractor performance evaluations relating to drill and blast execution quality.

Integration with Mine Planning & Operations

• Coordinate drill and blast design with Planning, Geotechnical, Survey and Operations teams.
• Provide technical input into short and medium-term mine schedules related to drill and blast sequencing.
• Ensure blast designs support planned stope geometry, extraction sequencing and dilution control strategy.

Reporting & Governance

• Prepare weekly and monthly drill and blast performance reports.
• Track blast-related cost drivers and consumables usage.
• Maintain structured documentation to support audit and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve safety, efficiency and blast performance.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers, nationals and operational teams.
• Support development of drill and blast standards, procedures and training materials.
• Promote visible safety leadership within drilling and blasting operations.
• Undertake other duties as required to support safe and efficient underground operations.          

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 7–10 years’ underground mining experience, with significant exposure to drill and blast engineering.
• Experience in mechanised long hole open stopping operations.
• Demonstrated experience in blast design optimisation and QA/QC systems.
• Experience working within contractor-executed underground environments is advantageous.
• Possession of a valid statutory blasting ticket (or equivalent recognised certification) is advantageous.

Technical Competence

• Strong knowledge of underground drilling and blasting theory, design and execution control.
• Experience in fragmentation analysis, dilution control and overbreak management.
• Understanding of stope stability considerations and geotechnical integration.
• Knowledge of explosives handling regulations and underground blast safety standards.
• Ability to analyse performance data and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Software, Systems & Technology

• Proficiency in Deswik and drill & blast design tools (e.g., ShotPlus or equivalent).
• Experience with blast management systems (e.g., BlastIQ or equivalent) is advantageous.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilise drill & blast QA/QC tools such as Boretrak, Electronic Timing Systems (ETS) and related deviation monitoring technologies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability for data analysis and reporting.
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications.

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• High safety awareness and governance mindset.
• Effective cross-functional communication skills.
• Ability to operate within a structured, contractor-executed underground environment.
• Demonstrated mentoring and leadership capability.

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