South Deep is recruiting!

This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to a dynamic and engaged team of professionals, working together to become the beacon of pride for our people, our communities, our stakeholders, and our shareholders.

At South Deep, we value each person’s individual and collective contribution and support your ongoing development, helping you to achieve your career and our business aspirations.

POSITION: Drill & Blast Engineer

JOB GRADING: D-Lower

DEPARTMENT: Technical Services

SITE: South Deep Gold Mine

The Drill & Blast Engineer is accountable for developing optimal drill and blast plans to safely and efficiently liberate ore within tunnel profile, waste dilution and fragmentation tolerances. The Drill and Blast Engineer, through the effective application of best drill and blast practices; cutting edge technology and the provision of quality designs, will contribute to the execution of the operational and strategic mine plans which will realise sustainable and optimal long-term value for our people; communities, stakeholders and shareholders alike.

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Degree or National Diploma in Mining Engineering or relevant field
• At least 5 years’ experience in underground bulk mechanised mining, specifically on Longhole stoping or similar bulk production drilling and charge-up operations
• Be in possession of a Blasting Ticket for Scheduled Mines or Rock Breaker’s certificate
• Be declared medically fit for the position and environment, as determined by a risk-based medical examination at the Gold Fields Occupational Health Centre and pass a Heat Tolerance Screening test, and such other tests as may be required to assess the applicant’s suitability for employment

Key Competencies:

• Proven safety and environmental leadership/stewardship
• Sound interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills
• Proven people and team leadership capability
• Basic understanding and knowledge of drill rigs charge units and how they operate
• Proven diagnostic, problem-solving, decision-making skills using Lean Six Sigma tools and principles
• Sound project management skills
• Proven application and management of technology
• Working knowledge of Blast Pattern Design and Stope Reconciliation software
• In-depth knowledge of drill and blast design; mine planning and scheduling, preferably the Deswik packages

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in, and lead interventions aimed at contributing to a culture of Zero Harm by adhering to and ensuring compliance with specified legislation, SHE policies and procedures, operational standards, instructions and governance requirements
• Actively engage in and demonstrate Visible Felt Leadership aligned to operational SHE standards, operational campaigns and instructions
• Schedule and conduct regular operational safety, safe work practice and operational delivery inspections ensuring appropriate remediation interventions are executed
• Maintain effective people management practices by ensuring that team roles and competencies are clearly defined, and that effective team delivery is maintained
• Coach and guide Front Line Leaders (FLL) to assume and maintain effective and direct leadership accountability over their operational teams in respect of safety management, shift planning, work assignment, planned task observations and executing remedial measures
• Develop Production drill designs and layouts
• Develop Production charge designs and layouts
• Implement and manage control systems to ensure safe drilling; timing and quality blasting
• Drill and blast cost planning as well as reconciliation, monitoring and improvement of cost
• Participate in short-term, medium-term and Long-term planning (strategic business plan)
• Provide valuable input into the weekly, monthly and quarterly pre-planning and planning meetings
• Manage the Drill and Blast database
• Carry out Stope reconciliations and measure compliance to design reporting
• Oversee the planning, extraction sequencing, design and scheduling of ring drilling and blasting (Benching and Open Stopes), utilizing blast design software
• Monitor and react to control the fragmentation and waste dilution within acceptable limits
• Optimize fragmentation and downstream processes (holistic approach blast-to-mill throughput concept)
• Conduct Ring drilling, timing and blasting performance modelling and adjustment according to ground conditions in consultation with the Geotechnical Engineer
• Develop a sense of continuois improvement by streamlining drill and blast processes which will increase productivity, quality and compliance

Closing Date: 30 June 2025 

Please note that the Gold Fields code of conduct strictly prohibits the exchange of any payment as part of its recruitment process.

 Should you require any assistance or have any challenges in applying for a position, please contact the Recruitment hub on 011 411 1387

Gold Fields is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment

NOTE: all relevant certificates must be attached to your CV in order to be considered for shortlisting