Location:
South Africa
Full Job Description
Overview:
The primary purpose of this role is to support the truck operator in collecting product from silos and delivering it to the blast site. The position also involves maintaining housekeeping standards, performing basic vehicle and re-filling area maintenance, and ensuring all tasks are carried out in line with statutory, legal, client, and BME standards—without shortcuts.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Grade 12 (with Mathematics)
- Blasting Assistant Certificate (MQA)
Experience Required:
- Previous exposure to blasting and mining operations
- At least 2 years of experience as a blasting assistant
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct risk assessments and complete safe work declarations with the blaster before entering the site, as per client requirements
- Assist the blaster in preparing the blast or charge-up area while complying with all legal, statutory, and client-specific standards
- Collaborate with the blaster to inspect the site, determine the target block, and plan the blast
- Demarcate the work area using the required barricading materials as instructed by the client
- Map drill holes to verify correct placement and measure hole depth to ensure compliance with prescribed specifications
- Report and act on any deviations from standard procedures by communicating with mine staff, contractors, or supervisors
- Collect and prepare the necessary accessories for the blast, as instructed by the blaster
- Place all detonators and boosters at the collar of the hole to prepare for priming
- Prime the holes by carefully inserting detonators into boosters, attaching weight-down materials, and lowering the primers into the holes—always under the supervision of the blaster
Skills and Competencies:
Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong numerical and analytical skills
- Report-writing abilities
- Keen attention to detail
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills
Core Competencies (Essential unless stated otherwise):
- Business Acumen
- Conflict Management
- Customer Focus
- Timely Decision Making
- Technical Mastery
- Developing Others (Strong focus)
- Innovation Management
General Responsibilities:
Key Areas of Impact:
- Operational fieldwork
- Housekeeping and maintenance of equipment and areas
- Adherence to quality control processes
Key Stakeholders:
- Senior Management
- Clients
- Support and Operations Teams
- Any additional internal or external stakeholders as relevant to the role
This position is integral to ensuring safe and efficient blasting operations, upholding BME standards, and contributing to a high-performance work environment.
