Long Hole Operator

Long Hole Operator

Sukari is located approximately 750km from Cairo and 25km from Marsa Alam on the Red Sea. First gold was poured in June 2009 and commercial production began in April 2010, making Sukari the first modern gold mine in Egypt, a country which in ancient times was a prolific producer of the precious metal. Sukari conducts both open-pit and underground mining operations, each employing specialized mining methods tailored to the orebody characteristics and operational requirements.

• Location: On-site in Marsa Alam
• Contract Type: Permanent, full-time
• Schedule: 6 weeks/ 3 weeks working roster
• Compensation: Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

The Role

Operate mechanized long hole drilling equipment in underground production areas to drill blast holes to approved designs. You will be responsible for achieving planned meters and hole quality while applying strict site critical controls and equipment care standards to enable safe, compliant, and efficient blasting and ore extraction.

The Key Responsibilities

• Pre-start Inspection & Drill Rig Readiness: Perform pre-start checks on long hole drill rigs (e.g., Sandvik/Epiroc class) to confirm mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and safety systems. Report defects and isolate equipment when unsafe.
• Drill Set-up & Collar Control: Position and level the drill on marked collars according to plans to achieve specified burden, spacing, and standoff while minimizing deviation.
• Production Drilling Execution: Drill long holes to approved patterns, depths, and orientations. Optimize drilling parameters (feed, rotation, flushing) to maintain penetration rates while protecting ground stability and consumables.
• Hole Quality Verification: Check hole depth, deviation, and breakthrough conditions. Identify poor ground conditions, mark/communicate mis-drilled or hazardous holes, and take corrective actions.
• Data Recording & Handover: Record drilled meters, hole IDs, downtime, and consumable usage in dispatch/production log systems. Complete detailed shift handovers.
• Basic Maintenance & Housekeeping: Perform routine cleaning, greasing, and bit/rod replacements within operator scope. Maintain clean and hazard-free work areas.
• Safety & Compliance: Apply underground critical controls (ground control, isolation/LOTO, mobile equipment interaction, and energy controls). Complete pre-task risk assessments and maintain required PPE.

The Requirements

• Experience: Over 15 years of total operational experience, with a minimum of 10 years dedicated to underground production long hole drilling on mechanized rigs within hard-rock mining and Epiroc Easer .
• Education & Certifications: Secondary School Certificate (or equivalent) with recognized underground mining operator training. Certified Long Hole Drill Operator training is preferred.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated capability in drill plan interpretation, rig positioning, collaring, deviation control, parameter optimization, and basic equipment troubleshooting.
• Language Skills: proficiency in English.
• Fitness & Medical: Must be medically fit for underground work, capable of managing physical demands (walking on uneven ground, manual handling of drill bits/rods), and working in conditions involving dust, noise, vibration, and heat