Drill and Blast Planner

About the role

The Drill and Blast Planner provides engineering design, technical analysis, and short-term scheduling support for mine drilling and blasting activities. This role is responsible for ensuring that all drilling and blasting designs are engineered safely, optimized to technical specifications, and executed in compliance with regulatory standards to meet the continuous production needs of the Mine Operations department.

Responsibilities

• Technical Design: Author detailed 2D and 3D blast designs, determining optimal burden, spacing, hole diameter, and powder factors tailored to specific geological domains and mining areas.
• Initiation Sequencing: Design electronic and non-electric initiation sequences and tie-in layouts to optimize rock fragmentation while maintaining wall stability and fly rock controls.
• Vibration Controls: Conduct signature hole analysis to maintain vibration standards.
• Production Alignment: Coordinate closely with the Mine Planning and Operations teams to align drilling and blasting schedules with weekly and monthly production targets.
• Consumables & Inventory Tracking: Monitor, forecast, and reconcile explosives and initiation accessory inventory to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain for mine operations.
• Quality Control & Safety Leadership: Audit the field execution of drill patterns, analyze drill logs and variances in actual depth, angle, and location against design specs to drive continuous improvement. Ensure all field activities adhere to required safety procedures while promoting a culture of safety accountability. Maintain deep familiarity with MSHA regulations and obtain Employee Possessor status.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma from a recognized University or College in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience: 0–3 years of engineering or technical experience within an open-pit mining environment, with a strong preference for direct exposure to drill and blast operations.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in technical drill and blast design software (ShotPlus preferred) and mine planning software suites (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Hexagon). Solid understanding of blast performance parameters and loading practices for ANFO and Emulsion products.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to coordinate work across Mine Planning and Operations teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced grasp of structural geology, drill patterns, advanced initiation systems, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced knowledge of drill pattern design and optimized blast sequencing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma from a recognized University or College in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Experience: 0–3 years of engineering or technical experience within an open-pit mining environment, with a strong preference for direct exposure to drill and blast operations.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in technical drill and blast design software (ShotPlus preferred) and mine planning software suites (e.g., Deswik, Vulcan, Hexagon). Solid understanding of blast performance parameters and loading practices for ANFO and Emulsion products.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to coordinate work across Mine Planning and Operations teams.

Other Requirements

• Physical: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work Environment: The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist.
• Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.