Drilling & Blasting Manager | Chrome Mining | Rustenburg, North West

Drilling & Blasting Manager | Chrome Mining | Rustenburg, Northwest

Introduction

Our client, a large mining house, is seeking an experienced Drilling & Blasting Manager to join its mining operation in Rustenburg, Northwest Province.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and optimising all drilling and blasting activities, ensuring that production, fragmentation, safety, environmental and cost targets are achieved.

This is a senior technical and operational management position requiring extensive experience in open-pit mining, blast design, drilling and blasting optimisation, explosives management and contractor management.

Experience within chrome mining or similar hard-rock mining environments will be highly advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all drilling and blasting operations to achieve production, fragmentation and operational targets.
• Manage drilling and blasting contractors, ensuring compliance with contractual, operational, safety and performance requirements.
• Design, review and optimise blast patterns, burden, spacing, timing, initiation systems and explosive usage.
• Optimise drilling and blasting practices to improve fragmentation, productivity, excavation efficiency and downstream plant performance.
• Ensure strict adherence to health, safety, environmental and legal requirements governing drilling, blasting and explosives.
• Monitor and analyse blast results, fragmentation outcomes, powder factors and overall blasting performance.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost optimisation and operational efficiency.
• Control and manage the drilling and blasting budget, expenditure and cost performance.
• Coordinate closely with Geology, Mining, Mine Planning and Processing/Plant teams to align drilling and blasting activities with production requirements.
• Ensure the correct handling, transportation, storage and usage of explosives in accordance with legislation and site procedures.
• Monitor drilling performance, blast execution and contractor productivity.
• Investigate blasting-related incidents, deviations and operational issues and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Compile and submit accurate drilling and blasting reports, including performance, incidents, costs and operational metrics.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to drilling and blasting teams and contractors.
• Drive a culture of safety, compliance, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree or Diploma in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Valid Surface Blasting Ticket – Essential.
• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in open-pit mining, with strong exposure to drilling and blasting.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a supervisory or management role.
• Proven experience managing drilling and blasting contractors.
• Strong practical and technical knowledge of blast design and optimisation.
• Experience in chrome mining or similar hard-rock mining environments will be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of explosives management, blasting practices and applicable safety and legal requirements.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and operational costs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, planning and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and consistently meet production targets.

Key Competencies

• Drilling & Blasting Management
• Blast Design & Optimisation
• Open-Pit Mining
• Surface Mining
• Explosives Management
• Fragmentation Optimisation
• Contractor Management
• Production Planning
• Cost & Budget Management
• Mining Safety & Compliance
• Technical Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Continuous Improvement
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Stakeholder Management
• Planning & Coordination

Remuneration

Market Related

Interested?

Apply online for this senior opportunity with a leading mining house.

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