Blasting Engineer at Lubambe Copper Mine

Lubambe Copper Mine is located within the Greater Konkola Area of the Zambian Copperbelt and consists of a large – scale mining license covering an area of approximately 240 square kilometres. The mine is a modern, world class facility with fully mechanized underground operations.

Lubambe Copper Mine is owned by EMR Capital of Australia (80%) and ZCCM – Investments Holdings (20%).

The Mine is currently in a ramp up stage and will ultimately produce 45, 000 tonnes of contained copper and will employ approximately 1,500 people. The Plant infrastructure consists of a Concentrator plant, a laboratory and underground infrastructure. The Concentrator incorporates crushing, milling, flotation and filtration. The design capacity is 2.5 MTPA of ore at an average mill grade of 2.3% copper, yielding 45,000 tonnes of contained copper in concentrate to be sold to smelters in Zambia.

Lubambe Copper Mine seeks to employ experienced and qualified individuals in the following position:

BLASTING ENGINEER – SOUTH LIMB

This Position reports to the Manager – Mine Planning.

CORE PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To provide timely and professional support to mining operations to ensure safe and optimized extraction of the ore body. The role will provide technical support including the planning, design, scheduling, extraction sequencing, modelling, analysis, process improvement, reconciliation and reporting.

Key Performance Areas/Indicators (KPA/Is):

• Analyze and improve stoping drilling ring designs in order to optimize drilling and blasting efficiency. Make recommendations for improvements.
• Optimise stoping drill ring designs in order to improve both extraction and dilution factors whilst minimizing in-stope lock-up.
• Monitor and report on blasting parameters in order to improve blasting efficiencies in Long Hole drilling, Stoping, Secondary blasting and development operations.
• Introduce improved systems and Techniques in order to reduce Explosive costs.
• Identify and investigate blasting problems experienced by production personnel in order to recommend solutions.
• Train PICs to ensure that established standard procedures are followed and efficient operations within the department.
• Participate in all planning, extraction sequencing, design and scheduling of stope drilling and blasting.
• Monitor and react to control the fragmentation and waste dilution within acceptable limits.
• Ring drilling, timing and blasting performance modelling, in-situ performance assessment and adjustment according to local conditions in consultation with the Geotechnical Engineer.
• Implement and manage control systems to ensure accurate timing and blasting.
• Drill and blast cost planning as well as reconciliation, monitoring and improvement of drilling and explosive unit cost.
• Participate in compiling the strategic Business Plan for the mine.
• Management of the drill and blast database.
• Maintain and improve safe work practices.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• At least a BSc Mining degree or Mining Diploma obtained from a recognised learning institution.
• Blasting Engineer training
• Member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ)
• Good knowledge of Mining and Explosives Regulations.
• Good knowledge of Mining Design Software.

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience of which at least two years of experience as a Blasting Engineer in underground operations.
• Should have worked as a Shift Boss in charge of drilling operations in both stoping and development operations.
• Computer literacy, proficient in use of Excel and Word

• Ability to liaise with engineering staff to ensure that emulsion charging units are adequately maintained.
• Ability to liaise with mine stores to ensure that enough charging hoses, tippets, etc. are held in stock
• Ability to liaise with suppliers of explosives, other Technical services and production departments to provide an effective service to production departments.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong Interpersonal skills
• Must be a team player

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