Job Description

Company Description

Join us as a

Drill & Blast Specialist

to provide technical expertise and guidance on drilling and blasting to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations, while driving continuous improvement and stakeholder alignment.

People. Process. Performance. You'll keep sight of it all.

Thungela Resources [Thungela means "to ignite" in isiZulu] is a leading South African thermal coal business, focused exclusively on thermal coal production. It is one of the largest pure-play producers and exporters of thermal coal in South Africa based on aggregate coal reserves and marketable coal production. Thungela focuses on exporting its thermal coal portfolio mainly to the Indian, Asian, Southeast Asian, Middle East and North African markets.

As the

Drill & Blast Specialist

you will advise on costing, capital estimates, safety, and project implementation related to drilling and blasting as well as propose new project ideas, suggest modifications and interpret test data.

More of your responsibilities will include

:

Recommending improvements in drilling and blasting practices to achieve optimal outcomes Creating, maintaining and communicating all policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines relevant to drilling and blasting Setting and achieving safety, health, and environmental targets through personal integrity and system adherence Ensuring effective communication with contractors and suppliers Aligning safety systems with Thungela resources' safety and ESG strategic pillars Researching and advising on best practices, technologies, and equipment in drill and blast Acting as a technical expert supporting implementation of new methods and tools Assisting in trend analysis, incident investigations, and documentation Performing audits to identify potential system and process failures as well as providing actionable recommendations to solve issues Staying updated through courses, conferences and peer interactions as well as building and maintaining relationships with industry peers Effective stakeholder and supplier management

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in mining engineering (NQF Level 7) Blasting certificate Advanced Management Programme (advantageous) Additional training in drilling, blasting principles and relevant design and modeling software will be advantageous

Experience

Minimum of 6 years of experience in the Opencast Coal Mining Environment and experience in drilling and blasting Extensive experience assessing management principles around mining and related equipment and associated operational standards and philosophies

Additional Information

Advanced knowledge of the MPRDA, MHS Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and other relevant legislation Advanced knowledge and understanding of technical engineering aspects such as OEM's and SABS standards Proficient knowledge of the Coal Mining Process, Machinery and Equipment would be an advantage

Who We Are

We are a company that promotes an environment that inspires innovation and where people have a shared sense of purpose. Skills, experience, creativity, and agility underpin our ability to grow and thrive. This means building a diverse team of high-performing individuals who operate our sites safely, effectively and cost efficiently. Our people's focus is centered on acquiring, developing, and retaining the talent we need to take our business forward, safely, and sustainably.

What We Offer

When you join Thungela, you can expect to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package. But people want more out of their jobs than financial benefit alone. Being able to work with thought leaders, opportunities for development, strong values and a sound organisational culture all contribute significantly to a compelling employee value proposition

Inclusion and Diversity

True diversity is more than being an equal opportunities employer. It is about bringing out the best in people for the good of our business, its partners, and especially our employees. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where people are valued and respected for who they are and know exactly what value they bring to the table.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.

Closing Date: 15/05/2025