Job Title: Drilling & Blasting Engineer (1 Position)
About the Job
We are looking for a capable and safety-focused Drilling & Blasting Engineer to design, oversee and optimize drilling and blasting operations for our salt mining and processing sites. The role will be responsible for safe explosives handling and storage, blast design and scheduling, fragmentation and vibration control, contractor supervision and continuous improvement of drill-and-blast performance to meet production, cost and environmental targets. The successful candidate will work closely with Mine Operations, Geology, Maintenance and HSE teams.
Responsibilities
- Design and optimise blast patterns, hole depths, burdens, spacings, initiation sequences and stemming to achieve target fragmentation and minimise cost.
- Select appropriate explosive types and initiation systems (ANFO, emulsions, detonators, electronic initiation) and prepare detailed explosives take-off lists.
- Produce blast plans and schedules aligned with production plans and plant feed requirements; coordinate with operations and contractors for safe execution.
- Conduct pre-blast risk assessments and implement mitigation measures for fly-rock, airblast, vibration and dust (blast mats, exclusion zones, timing).
- Monitor and record blast outcomes: fragmentation, vibration (PPV), airblast, throw, flyrock, and reconcile results with designs.
- Perform blast vibration and airblast monitoring, maintain instrumentation records and liaise with regulators and stakeholders when required.
- Manage explosives storage, transport and handling in compliance with local regulations and company HSE procedures; maintain MSDS and permit-to-work documentation.
- Supervise and audit drilling and blasting contractors; ensure contractor competence, toolbox talks, and adherence to SOPs.
- Investigate misfires, near-misses or incidents; prepare root-cause analyses and corrective action plans.
- Develop and maintain blast design libraries, SOPs, risk registers, and accurate blast records (logs, photos, instrumentation data).
- Apply blast modelling and fragmentation analysis tools and recommend equipment or process changes to reduce costs and improve safety/performance.
- Support budget estimates, cost control and procurement of explosives and consumables.
- Provide training and guidance to operations staff on blast safety, exclusion zones and post-blast inspection procedures.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in
Mining Engineering, Explosives Engineering, Rock Mechanics or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- 3+ years’ practical experience in drilling & blasting engineering in mining or quarrying; experience with salt/evaporite or soft rock operations is an advantage.
- Proven experience designing blasts, supervising execution and analysing blast performance (fragmentation, PPV, airblast).
- Valid certifications/licenses for explosives handling, storage and blasting operations as required by local law.
- Strong knowledge of explosives types, initiation systems, detonation theory, stemming, and safe storage/transport practices.
- Familiarity with blast design and modelling tools (e.g., JKSimBlast, Blastware, BlastMetrix, fragmentation image analysis or comparable tools) and with vibration monitoring equipment.
- Good understanding of mining drilling equipment, drill rig capabilities and production drill & blast logistics.
- Demonstrated HSE leadership: risk assessments, permit-to-work systems, incident investigation and adherence to regulatory requirements.
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills; capable of producing clear technical reports, blast logs and compliance documentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and comfortable working with engineering data and plotting tools.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills; ability to coordinate contractors and multiple internal stakeholders.
- Willingness to work on-site, flexible shifts and occasional travel between sites.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
- A frontline technical role with direct impact on production, cost and safety.
- Professional development, training in advanced blast modelling and safety certifications.
- Supportive safety-first culture and a multidisciplinary operations team.
- Opportunity for career progression across mining and processing functions.
- Assistance with relocation when applicable.
How to Apply
Please submit the following to [email protected] with subject line “Drilling & Blasting Engineer”:
1. CV (max 2 pages)
2. Cover letter (1 page) summarising relevant drilling & blasting experience
3. Copies of explosives/blasting certifications/licenses (if available)
4. Two professional references (name, role, contact)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and may be asked to present a recent blast design or case study demonstrating problem-solving and outcomes. We welcome applicants with strong practical experience, a safety-first mindset and a drive to improve mining performance
