About This Role:

To coordinate, direct and lend technical support to all on-site blasting activities, in a safe manner, and coordinate resource allocations to effectively complete the activities.

In This Role You Will

• Blast Operations Planning
  • Execute short and long-term mine blasting plans.
  • Implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the area.
  • Oversee and coordinate the weekly plan for the initiating of blast schedules.
  • Coordinate, prioritise and assign blasting tasks for completion to meet blasting target goals.
  • Examine blast pattern designs to determine explosive type and quantity to be used.
  • Oversee the availability of blasting material and explosives at designated blasting times and dates.
  • Conduct pre-blasting assessments on blasting areas to provide assurance on the safety of all equipment and staff, and to prevent the possible damage of machinery.
  • Send all blasting requisition requests to the General Foreperson for review and obtain sign-off from both the General Foreperson and the Mine Manager.
  • Oversee and coordinate the activation of all pit sirens, prior to blasting activity.
• Blast Operations Execution
  • Receive guidance from the General Foreperson – Drill and Blast for optimal blasting locations.
  • Install physical critical controls (i.e. demarcations, flags, cones), prior to blasting.
  • Coordinate and pair the blasting crew with the relevant equipment required to execute tasks.
  • Schedule and supervise all blasting activities, by overseeing and evaluating works-in-progress and ensure that all activities meet specifications, codes and regulations.
  • Identify opportunities for both short and long-term interval controls, based on the blasting plan, and make any necessary adjustments and changes to the shift, to meet daily target projections.
  • Oversee all blasting activities such as:
    • areas to be blasted.
    • areas to be developed.
    • rate of development required.
    • distribution of labour, supplies and equipment.
  • Oversee all contractors assigned to designated blasting work areas within the department.
  • Provide technical guidance and transfer of knowledge to the blast crew through active coaching and mentoring.
  • Hold blast crew accountable for the work completed by:
    • Administering discipline and facilitating corrective actions.
    • Monitoring crew key performance indicators (KPI’s).
    • Explaining the blasting plan to the crew and providing clear instructions.
    • Implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
    • Managing shift changeovers between crews.
  • Oversee the administration and maintenance of the DIP plus system to monitor the drill hole depth.
  • Collaborate with ORICA to ensure the timely and high-quality supply of blasting material.
  • Analyse daily blasting production and cost data to confirm that the department is operating within overall blasting production and budget forecasts.
  • Coordinate the maintenance of blast equipment with the Mine Maintenance section.
  • Provide feedback reports regarding blasting activities to the General Foreperson – Drill and Blast for review.
  • Maintain accurate records and archives of all blasting activities.
• Blast Optimisation and Continuous Improvement
  • Assess and continually improve current blast practices by:
    • controlling blast design, pattern prep, pattern mark-up and accurate execution of drilled blast holes.
    • booster placements in blast holes.
    • explosive discharge hose placement in blast holes.
    • explosive column height.
    • blast hole stemming.
    • reconciliation of explosives waste on blast patterns.
  • Assess and continually improve current blast processes with respect to:
    • bench standards and co-ordination.
    • blast reports.
    • blast schedules.
    • blast designs.
    • blast plans.
    • having monthly blast improvement meetings with ORICA.
    • Report and escalate all accidents and incidents occurring in the shift to the General Foreperson – Drill and Blast for immediate review.
• Stakeholder Management and Engagement
  • Send out communication to the surrounding communities regarding blasting times and dates.
  • Communicate directly with other Mine Operations sections regarding the packing of blasting equipment.
  • Communicate directly with the Security department via two-way radio announcements to inform all personnel to vacate the blasting area.
  • Liaise with various Ghanaian government authorities to ensure that all national codes and standards are met and complied with in assigned blasting activities.
  • Coordinate activities with all departments to ensure continuity of the total mine operation.
  • Obtain suggestions from other Newmont departments, in identifying opportunities for improving blasting efficiency and productivity.
  • Liaise with the Learning & Development department to arrange the receipt of training schedules and times for the national workforce.
  • Oversee that blasting shift work meets established statutory standards.
• Health and Safety Management
  • Verify that the demarcated blast areas are safe and secure to promote worker health and safety.
  • Adhere strictly to internal Newmont health and safety standards.
  • Comply with safe blasting procedures for both Newmont and Contractor Staff.
  • Accept personal responsibility for the health and safety of every employee under or assigned to his / her supervision.
  • Provide hands-on assistance during operations activities and ensure that safe work practices are followed by the Operators.
  • Coordinate the inspection of drill areas on a consistent basis to detect and resolve immediate safety, personnel and production problems.
  • Revert to the Engineering team to potentially change shift plans for a particular area, arising out of work hazard detection.
  • Conduct periodic safety meetings and safety inspections.
  • Lead daily pre-shift staff debriefings.
  • Attend monthly safety inspection and meetings.
• Staff Supervision
  • Create a suitable shift work environment to motivate Operators to achieve optimum effectiveness and productivity.
  • Supervise all direct reports by:
  • participating in the recruitment and selection of staff.
  • recommending the selection of new staff.
  • conducting crew assessments.
  • developing the team to perform at their best capabilities.
  • contributing to performance appraisals.
  • participating in team performance management calibrations.
  • recommending further / relevant training courses and development actions in accordance with Newmont’s people development program(s).
  • implementing training schedules for staff.
  • coaching and mentoring staff.
  • enhancing communication with staff through regular feedback, contact, meetings and briefings.

Your Training, Skills & Experience Checklist

Formal Qualification (including Professional Registrations):

• Bachelors’ Degree in Mine / Civil Engineering, Geology or related field.

Additional Knowledge

• Mine Foreman Certificate.
• Detailed knowledge of various explosive types.
• Detailed knowledge in blasting accessories.
• General knowledge in heavy equipment operation.

Experience

• Minimum of 4 – 5 years’ blasting experience in large open pit mining environments, of which at least 2 – 3 years’ experience should be in a shift supervisory capacity.
• Experience in electronic detonation.

Technical Skills

• Advanced planning, organising and prioritising skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer literacy skills – MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), MS Project.
• Strong information monitoring and management skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation and consultation skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to adapt to constant shift changes.

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