Blasting Superintendent

Role Context

Blasting Management

• Manage the open cast blasting across TM by implementing and driving adherence to the weekly plan and established targets as well as monitoring the use, management, and maintenance of all blasting and associated equipment.
• Manage the blasting procedure at TM by ensuring blocks are first appropriately cleaned, holes are drilled to the predetermined depth and width and are appropriately charged for blasting.
• Provide direct management of the blasting operations which include resource and reserves management, all mining related activities, equipment maintenance and utilisation.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives within the function by implementing high-quality blasting programmes ensuring all drilled holes are fit for purpose and the use of materials for blasting minimised.
• Lead and supervise the blasting team by providing guidance and enforcing adherence to blasting and operational targets as well as to ensuring that safety meetings, safety declarations and risk assessments are done before blasting commences.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives within the blasting function by identifying new ways of working that reduce costs and optimise resource yield without compromising the safety of the personal on the mine and the operations in and of itself.
• Implement blast designs by identifying maximum yield opportunities and optimising resources for extraction, to reduce costs and optimise the use of resources to meet the established targets.
• Drive sustainable blasting practices across the blasting function by optimising the use of materials and implementing the most effective D&B designs to produce a maximum yield of reef and ore.
• Implement and enforce comprehensive safety management protocols, in relation to the blasting functions operating requirements of the equipment, by upskilling the team members and ensuring total compliance to policies to reduce risk and minimise injuries or death on duty and driving the longevity of the drilling equipment.
• Drive and enforce compliance around all blasting practices within Tharisa Minerals, creating alignment between organisational policies, procedures, and statutory requirements of the operating jurisdiction.
• Contribute toward the design and analysis of blasting reports enabling the D&B Manager to give feedback to the team based on their adherence and alignment to established practices, performance, and achievement of operational targets.
• Manage shift reporting by compiling and submitting data based on monitored metrics (production, drilling and tons produced) identifying areas for improvement and implementing steps to ensure improvements are made.
• Monitor labour expenditure within the Blast function by tracking predicted, forecasted, and budgeted staff costs against actuals ensuring the various departments manage their areas accordingly.
• Inspect the blasting site for any blast misfires and cracks and provide reports on daily operating effectiveness and tracking towards the daily plan ensuring targets are met

Financial Management

• Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM) and other Tharisa Minerals (TM) regulations and policies by facilitating the right actions, to reduce financial risk in the Department.
• Follow budgeting guidelines and bring about the necessary changes to curb costs to achieve annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring planned spend and budget for the drilling function is not exceeded.

Health and Safety

• Manage and enforce regulatory frameworks and company COP guidelines in relation to Health and Safety by continuously updating all relevant policies and procedures as required and ensuring that they are appropriately communicated with the staff.
• Regularly engage with staff by running regular meetings ensuring all SHEQ policies and procedures are understood and adhered to.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with relevant industry regulations, safety protocols, and environmental standards related to blasting operations.
• Conform to the Mine Health and Safety Act guidelines in terms of safety by continuously updating blasting procedures ensuring that they are understood and implemented by all blasting staff.

Operational Management

• Implement policies, processes and Operational procedures that are within the respective Department aimed at the enhancement of service delivery and overall productivity within the Department.
• Contribute toward the development and submission of reports for review through to the DMRE by collating and analysing production data to reflect the current operational view of TM.
• Coordinate the delivery of technical services by engaging with the various specialised departments regarding blast designs ensuring planned blasts are safe and optimal, from a geological, geohydrological issues are avoided or proactively mitigated.
• Review geological data and surveys to determine optimal drilling and blasting strategies that maximise productivity and minimise environmental impact.
• Conduct thorough risk assessments before blasting takes place by inspecting the blast zone and ensuring all safety and regulated requirements have been met before blasting takes place.

People Management

• Create and maintain a conducive work environment by appropriately applying Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance is realised for the benefit of the Department and, by extension, the organisation.
• Lead the team according to TM’s leadership principles and values throughout the entire employee life cycle (performance management, reward etc) to ensure, inter alia, a high-performance culture.
• Drive strong performance management within the team by continuously assessing the team’s achievement of their established key performance areas, proactively identifying

Resource Management

• Manage the procurement and maintenance of drilling equipment, explosives, and related tools by collaborating with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment required for drilling and blasting activities at the most cost-effective rates.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure information, advice or opinions on relevant matters is made available and/or communicated with all relevant stakeholders, to manage expectations and timelines.
• Utilise opportunities presented to enhance the relationship between management, unions, and employees, and implement processes to maximise a collaborative working relationship.

Requirements

• Grade 12 (NQF4)
• Blasting Certificate / Rock breaking equivalent MQA qualifications in Surface Mining
• Diploma (NQF6)/bachelor’s degree (NQF7) in Mining/Geology or related field advantageous
• Competent A Certificate

Responsible Person:

• Be competent or set out to be found competent to be appointed as the Responsible Person for Explosives at Tharisa by the Chief Inspector of Explosives as per the CIE Assessment.

Job-specific experience:

• Minimum of 6-8 years mining experience in open cast mining of which 3 years should be as a foreman.
• Experience/Exposure on MS Dynamics F&O, Reporting tools: MS Power BI