This role is a permanent position based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Site travels will be occasionally required.
About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Drill & Blast Specialist to provide technical expertise to company assets by governing drill & blast design, fragmentation optimization, vibration control, explosives performance, stope recovery & dilution. You will also be supporting technical due diligence, growth studies, and code-compliant technical reporting. The role exists to improve safety, productivity, recovery, and downstream performance (loading, hauling, crushing, grinding), while ensuring blasting practices are technically sound, compliant, and future-ready, without pressure from day-to-day operations.
Responsibilities
- Develop, review, and assure drill and blast designs for development, stoping, and production blasting
- Ensure D&B practices are safe, compliant, and optimized for fragmentation, dilution, and downstream performance
- Provide hands-on technical support, including blast design, modelling, and performance analysis.
- Support optimization of powder factor, drill accuracy, timing, and fragmentation outcomes
- Identify and manage D&B-related risks, including overbreak, underbreak, vibration, and blast damage.
- Establish and maintain D&B performance metrics and improvement programs
- Support evaluation of mining methods and sequencing through D&B optimization
- Provide independent D&B input to technical due diligence and investment decisions
- Support Head of Technical Services in technical governance, assurance, and Board-level reviews
- Interface with mine planning, geotechnical, geology, ventilation, processing, and projects teams to ensure integrated outcomes
- Challenge operational or contractor-driven practices that compromise safety, recovery, or long-term asset value
Qualifications
- Degree in Mining Engineering
- 20+ years of mining experience, with 10-12 years in drilling and blasting roles
Required Skills
- Strong hands-on experience in underground drilling and blasting in large-scale, mechanized operations
- Experience in deep mines, including long-hole stoping, development blasting, and paste fill environments
- Strong hands-on experience with D&B design and analysis tools (e.g., Deswik, BlastMap, ShotPlus, JKSimBlast, or equivalent)
- Recognized Competent Person (CP) / Qualified Person (QP), or demonstrably eligible
Proven experience in:
- Fragmentation optimization and dilution control
- Blast damage and vibration management
- D&B inputs to LOM, mine planning, and technical studies
- Experience supporting technical due diligence and asset evaluation
- Ability to challenge assumptions independently and communicate D&B risks clearly
- Experience working in turnaround or stressed operations preferred
- Strong safety mindset and high professional credibility
Pay range and compensation package
Salary is based on relevant experience.
