Mariana Minerals
Job Title: Drill & Blast Engineer – Surface Copper Operations
Location: Site-Based - La Sal, UT
Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering or a related field.
We are seeking a highly analytical and safety-focused Drill & Blast Engineer to design, oversee, and optimize all drilling and blasting activities at our surface heap leach copper mine. This critical role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safety, achieving optimal fragmentation for downstream processing, and driving cost‑effectiveness through continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be proficient in advanced blast design, rigorous data reconciliation, and the application of new technologies to enhance performance while strictly adhering to all regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities 1. Blast Design & Optimization
Develop, implement, and refine precise blast patterns and charge designs tailored to specific geotechnical domains in both ore and waste zones, utilizing ANFO, emulsions, and bulk delivery systems.
Design and optimize blast timing sequences (Nonel/Electronic) to control fragmentation, minimize vibration, and improve diggability.
Employ specialized software (e.g., Fragmentation, Design, Vibration modeling) for advanced analysis, rapid reporting, and scenario planning.
Lead the reconciliation process of key performance indicators (KPIs), including powder factor, cost per ton, fragmentation analysis, ore dilution, and elevation control to drive design optimization.
2. Drill Program Management
Coordinate drill schedules and patterns to ensure strict alignment with both short‑term mine plans and long‑term strategic goals.
Evaluate and manage blast contractors and technology providers to ensure alignment with operational goals, safety standards, and cost‑efficiency benchmarks.
Supervise drill contractors to ensure compliance with safety standards, design specifications (hole diameter, depth, inclination), and performance metrics.
Design and manage drill patterns with a paramount focus on preserving pit wall integrity and ensuring long‑term geotechnical slope stability.
Work closely with geology teams to coordinate drilling activities across production and exploration, ensuring accurate targeting, data integrity, and alignment with resource models.
3. Safety & Compliance
Champion a culture of safety, ensuring all explosives handling and blasting activities not only meet but exceed MSHA, ATF, and state regulations. Safety is our absolute priority.
Maintain meticulous and accurate records of explosives inventory (ANFO/emulsion), usage, and blast data for compliance and analysis.
Conduct thorough pre‑blast risk assessments, inspections, and post‑blast evaluations to ensure safety and performance standards are achieved.
4. Cost Management & Innovation
Work directly with blasting operations leadership to ensure designs are accurately laid out and executed in the field.
Proactively analyze and optimize the use of explosives and accessories to minimize total blasting costs while maintaining optimal results.
Assess current drilling and blasting workflows for automation opportunities.
Research, evaluate, and recommend new technologies, methodologies, and products, such as autonomous drills, digital blast tools, and remote monitoring systems, to reduce costs and enhance the efficiency of drilling and blasting operations.
Required Skills & Experience
5+ years of hands‑on experience in drill & blast engineering in surface mining.
Proven proficiency in blast design software (e.g., ShotPlus, JKSblast, etc.) and data analysis tools for rapid reconciliation and reporting.
In‑depth, practical knowledge of MSHA and ATF explosives regulations and safety protocols.
Strong experience with bulk explosives delivery systems, including ANFO and emulsions.
Experience in copper or heap leach operations is highly preferred.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead and collaborate effectively with operations crews, contractors, and management.
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We are seeking a highly analytical and safety-focused Drill & Blast Engineer to design, oversee, and optimize all drilling and blasting activities at our surface heap leach copper mine. This critical role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safety, achieving optimal fragmentation for downstream processing, and driving cost‑effectiveness through continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be proficient in advanced blast design, rigorous data reconciliation, and the application of new technologies to enhance performance while strictly adhering to all regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities 1. Blast Design & Optimization
Develop, implement, and refine precise blast patterns and charge designs tailored to specific geotechnical domains in both ore and waste zones, utilizing ANFO, emulsions, and bulk delivery systems.
Design and optimize blast timing sequences (Nonel/Electronic) to control fragmentation, minimize vibration, and improve diggability.
Employ specialized software (e.g., Fragmentation, Design, Vibration modeling) for advanced analysis, rapid reporting, and scenario planning.
Lead the reconciliation process of key performance indicators (KPIs), including powder factor, cost per ton, fragmentation analysis, ore dilution, and elevation control to drive design optimization.
2. Drill Program Management
Coordinate drill schedules and patterns to ensure strict alignment with both short‑term mine plans and long‑term strategic goals.
Evaluate and manage blast contractors and technology providers to ensure alignment with operational goals, safety standards, and cost‑efficiency benchmarks.
Supervise drill contractors to ensure compliance with safety standards, design specifications (hole diameter, depth, inclination), and performance metrics.
Design and manage drill patterns with a paramount focus on preserving pit wall integrity and ensuring long‑term geotechnical slope stability.
Work closely with geology teams to coordinate drilling activities across production and exploration, ensuring accurate targeting, data integrity, and alignment with resource models.
3. Safety & Compliance
Champion a culture of safety, ensuring all explosives handling and blasting activities not only meet but exceed MSHA, ATF, and state regulations. Safety is our absolute priority.
Maintain meticulous and accurate records of explosives inventory (ANFO/emulsion), usage, and blast data for compliance and analysis.
Conduct thorough pre‑blast risk assessments, inspections, and post‑blast evaluations to ensure safety and performance standards are achieved.
4. Cost Management & Innovation
Work directly with blasting operations leadership to ensure designs are accurately laid out and executed in the field.
Proactively analyze and optimize the use of explosives and accessories to minimize total blasting costs while maintaining optimal results.
Assess current drilling and blasting workflows for automation opportunities.
Research, evaluate, and recommend new technologies, methodologies, and products, such as autonomous drills, digital blast tools, and remote monitoring systems, to reduce costs and enhance the efficiency of drilling and blasting operations.
Required Skills & Experience
5+ years of hands‑on experience in drill & blast engineering in surface mining.
Proven proficiency in blast design software (e.g., ShotPlus, JKSblast, etc.) and data analysis tools for rapid reconciliation and reporting.
In‑depth, practical knowledge of MSHA and ATF explosives regulations and safety protocols.
Strong experience with bulk explosives delivery systems, including ANFO and emulsions.
Experience in copper or heap leach operations is highly preferred.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead and collaborate effectively with operations crews, contractors, and management.
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