We are seeking a Drill and Blast Engineer/Senior Drill and Blast Engineer. This position will report to the Mine Engineering Superintendent. The successful candidate will be expected to design, lead, and oversee drill and blast activities at the mine site.

Responsibilities:

• Design blast patterns, timing and loading of all blasts.
• Monitor drilling and blasting activities, reconcile and analyze results, and implement improvements to achieve the desired fragmentation. This may include areas such as drilling rates, spatial and physical compliance against daily and weekly plans, wall attainment, dilution/ore loss, and costs.
• Track mine to crusher to leach pad particle size distributions (PSD) to understand and optimize the overall process
• Manage and oversee blasting contractor.
• Organize, inform, and collaborate with stakeholders on drill and blast design and execution.
• QA/QC of key inputs and metrics regarding drill and blast, 
• Ensure all employees and contractors are working in a safe manner in line with mine site standard operating procedures and MSHA safety guidelines.
• Recommend alternative procedures, methods, and policies regarding blasting to ensure safety and improve performance with clearly defined processes, while complying with industry regulations and organizational requirements.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement projects and trials including monitoring, wall control blasting trials, electronic initiation designs, mine to crusher analysis, costs, and other related projects.
• Provide inputs and planning for the annual business plan and forecasts.
• Manage Drill and Blast related software applications and effectiveness including real time depth and penetration rate monitoring.
• Provide assistance in the training and skill development with regard to blasting in mine engineering, geology, and operations.
• Seek, test, analyze and evaluate the latest blasting technologies and make the necessary recommendations prior to implementation to ensure viability.

Experience & Qualifications:

• BS in Mine Engineering. Masters/PhD degree is an asset. 
• Minimum three years equivalent combination of relevant graduate education or operational experience as a drill and blast specialist within an open pit mining operation.
• Prior experience in production and/or mine planning will be considered an asset.
• Strong leadership abilities in a production situation.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team effort as well as individually.
• Strong interpersonal and both oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of the organization.
• Good written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.