Section Manager – Drill & Blast at De Beers Group

Job Description:

• Focus on compliance to standards and best practice in health, safety, environmental.  Supports a culture toward zero harm.
• Provides technical advice, support and oversight for operational excellence. 
• Applies specialist knowledge to recommend, implement, operate and maintain appropriate technical systems.
• Analyse drill and blast data to highlight opportunities, gain stakeholder support, develop relevant business cases and facilitate the implementation of blast improvement initiatives. (Managerial authority for development of best practice on site, service authority with explosives and accessories providers, auditing authority with operations and explosives providers for best practice achievements on site).
• Practice leader, influencing technology and innovation to develop cutting edge capabilities in drill & blast practice in the operation.
• Liaise and consult on best practice, optimisation and appropriate technology development. (Advisory authority with department, service authority with technical institutions, manufacturers & suppliers, monitoring authority with the Operation on best practice implementation.
• Ensure an effective operation of the drilling and blasting process to agreed business plan by the mining contractor (and supported by owners’ team)
• Liaise and co-ordinate between the site contractor’s management teams, the project and site teams to ensure effective engagement, planning and execution of work.
• Actively manages and contributes to improvement initiatives in the underground mine to establish best practice mechanised mining performance.
• Co-ordinates meetings and management routines between the Owner and Mining Contractor (and other contractors as required) to ensure effective Short Interval control processes are applied to support a high performance and compliance, high reliability work culture within the mine contractor and owners mining team.
• Effective engagement and management of interfaces and relationship with Owner team underground Mining Technical support functions –Geotechnical, Mine Planning, Survey and operational Geology to support efficient mechanised mining performance.
• Monitor contractor risk and safety management performance, ensuring critical risks and hazards continuously identified and controlled.  Compliance to risk management standards.

This role is a GBF6 and will be reporting to the Senior Technical Services Manager

Qualifications:

Formal qualifications:

• A Bachelors/ BTech / Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant mining engineering discipline.
• Mine Managers Certificate of Competency Essential
• Blasting Certificate for underground Mines Essential

Additional requirements:

• Code B (08) Driver’s License
• Successfully obtained a Red Ticket (Medical Fitness certificate) on mine
• Your consideration for employment is subject to your SAPS Criminal Record verification and qualifications verification

Role-specific knowledge:

• 8-10 years’ experience in an underground mining environment with 3 years in a managerial position in drill and blast field.  
• Knowledge and understanding of SA Mining laws, regulations, codes and guidelines.
• Leadership and practical experience in Underground mechanised Mining Management of modern, mechanised mines in both project development and steady state operation. 
• Experience in mid-large scale SLC, Caving or Open Stoping mines preferred.
• Working knowledge or experience in emulsion manufacturing.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of blast designs software (Aegis and Isure) and processes 
• Front line management experience in underground mechanised lateral development mining in medium-large scale operations.
• Knowledge of Project Management concepts, including Cost Control/ Engineering, Project Integration, Project Commercial Management, Project Risk Management and Document & Data Management.
• Knowledge and experience with business improvement processes
• Effective communication, conflict resolution, contingency planning and problem solving (root-cause-analysis) skills
• Ability to constructively challenge mine contractor performance and introduce modern practices and operating methodologies/standards.
• Knowledge of New Technology identification and implementation

Closing Date:

• 29 October, 2025