Key Responsibilities:
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with MHSA, Explosives Act and company standards.
- Develop and maintain drill and blast procedures.
- Lead risk assessments, pre-blast inspections and post-blast evaluations.
- Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure safe storage, transport and use of explosives.
Blast & Blast Planning
- Develop daily, weekly and monthly drill and blast schedules.
- Design blast patterns based on geological conditions.
- Optimise burden, spacing, stemming and powder factors.
- Coordinate drilling, charging and firing activities.
- Ensure blast readiness with production and mine planning teams.
Blast Performance
- Monitor fragmentation quality.
- Minimise fly rock, overbreak, backbreak and vibration.
- Improve diggability and downstream crusher performance.
- Analyse blast results and implement continuous improvements.
Contractor Management
- Manage drilling and explosive service providers.
- Monitor contractor productivity and compliance.
- Conduct performance reviews.
- Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.
Explosives Management
- Control explosive consumption and reconciliation.
- Manage explosive inventory.
- Monitor blast costs.
- Ensure accurate reporting and statutory records.
Operational Leadership
- Lead Drill & Blast Supervisors and technical personnel.
- Coach and mentor team members.
- Manage departmental budgets.
- Participate in production planning meetings.
- Support operational excellence initiatives.
Reporting
- Prepare production and blasting reports.
- Analyse KPIs and recommend improvements.
- Present monthly operational performance.
- Report on costs, productivity and safety.
Minimum Requirements
- Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering.
- Valid Blasting Certificate for Opencast Mines.
- Mine Manager's Certificate of Competency (advantageous).
- Minimum 10 years' open-cast mining experience.
- At least 5 years in a Drill & Blast management role.
- Coal mining experience is essential.
- Experience managing drilling and blasting contractors.
- Knowledge of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA).
- Valid driver's licence.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
- Drill availability and utilisation
- Blast compliance (% completed as planned)
- Powder factor optimisation
- Fragmentation quality
- Blast-induced vibration compliance
- Explosive cost per BCM/tonne
- Drilling productivity
- Coal recovery
- Contractor performance
- Budget adherence
- Production target achievement
Competencies
Strong leadership and people management Excellent planning and organisational skills Technical expertise in drill and blast engineering Analytical and problem-solving ability Cost management Contractor management Communication and stakeholder engagement Decision-making under pressure Continuous improvement minds
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Drill & Blast Manager (Open-Cast Coal Mining) in Dundee employer: Ikwezi Mining (Pty) Ltd
Ikwezi Mining (Pty) Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where safety and efficiency are paramount. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company provides opportunities for continuous learning and advancement in the mining logistics sector. Located at the heart of mining operations, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that values teamwork and innovation, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
