Shift Overseer Opencast - Drilling and Blasting
Main Purpose of the Job:
To provide strategic and operational leadership over all drilling and blasting activities, ensuring safety, legal compliance, optimal fragmentation, cost control, and alignment with the mine’s production targets.
Key Activities:
· Maintain detailed logs of service activities, deviations, corrective actions, and consumable usage.
· Report any infrastructure or utility deficiencies that may pose safety or production risks.
· Participate in audits and ensure documentation meets internal and legal standards.
· Monitor and optimize the usage of explosives, initiating systems, drilling consumables, and equipment.
· Analyse fragmentation outcomes and adjust designs to reduce secondary breakage and downstream inefficiencies.
· Drive initiatives for improving cycle time, reducing re-drills, misfires, and excessive ground vibrations.
· Oversee the development and execution of drill and blast designs based on geological, geotechnical, and production requirements.
· Manage drilling teams to ensure adherence to quality, depth, angle, burden, and spacing specifications.
· Approve blast patterns, charge designs, initiation sequences, and timing plans in coordination with engineers.
· Lead a multi-disciplinary team including drill rig operators, supervisors, and blasting contractor.
· Set performance expectations, conduct appraisals, and promote continuous learning and morale within the tea
· Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports on drilling and blasting performance, compliance status, and cost analysis.
· Use data analytics tools and blast monitoring systems for decision-making and optimization
· Collaborate with short-term planning, geology, pit operations, and maintenance teams to align activities and priorities.
· Address operator concerns and promotes continuous improvement in team morale and discipline.
· Identifies and implements creative and innovative ideas to improve the Mini Business Unit performance.
· Ensure all drilling and blasting activities comply with national mining regulations, explosives handling legislation, and company policies.
· Lead safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations related to drilling and blasting operations.
· Manage environmental compliance for blast vibrations, fly rock control, and dust/noise levels.
· Ensure compliance with MQWMA and mine-specific regulations.
Minimum Education & Experience:
· Diploma in Mining Engineering or equivalent.
· Minimum 5 - 8 years’ experience in drill and blast operations.
· Strong understanding of blasting software, explosive handling, and rock fragmentation principles.
· Valid Open Pit Blasting Certificate
· Registered with the Engineering Registration Board.
· Understanding of SHE Management System ISO 45001:2018 & ISO 14001:2015.
We offer a competitive salary package.
Prospective candidates must be medically and physically fit, willing to work in an underground coal mining environment, and able to meet demanding schedules.
Candidates who meet the above requirements should submit: A cover letter, Certified copies of educational certificates, Certified copy of identity card, Certified copy of driver’s license (where required) and Comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
The applications should be addressed to:
Head Of Human Resources
Morupule Coal Mine
Private Bag 35
Palapye, Botswana
Email: recruitment@mcm.co.bw
Closing Date: 20 January 2026
Kindly state the position that you are applying for as the subject line.
NOTE: DO NOT RESPOND THROUGH FAX OR HAND DELIVERY. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS.
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