Drill & Blast Technical Superintendent EXPAT FIFO

Drill & Blast Technical Superintendent | Greenfield Mine Development | FIFO Expat Role

About the Opportunity

Opportunity knocks for an experienced Drill & Blast Technical Superintendent to work on a landmark APAC 'mega project', and at the greenfield stage. Offering the rare opportunity to be involved prior to production, and to establish best-practice drill and blast standards from the ground up as part of a highly-skilled technical team. Working on an expat FIFO basis, from any global point of hire, you will provide technical leadership and contractor oversight for all drill and blast operations. The role is pivotal in ensuring optimal blast performance, fragmentation control, and operational efficiency across this world-class hard rock mining operation, while building local capability and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Location: Pakistan

Reports to: Mine Technical Services Manager

Department: Mining

The Role

The Drill & Blast Technical Superintendent is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of drill and blast design standards, guidelines, and operational procedures across the Reko Diq Mine Site. This leadership role provides expert technical guidance, manages contractor performance, and drives excellence in blast outcomes while developing the next generation of drill and blast engineers.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

We are particularly interested to hear from experienced Drill & Blast professionals from OPEN CUT HARD ROCK mining operations that meet the following criteria:

Technical & Team Leadership

• Develop and maintain the mine's drill and blast design standards, guidelines, and operational procedures
• Oversee drill and blast designs for all production areas, including blast patterns, hole loading, timing, and powder factor optimization
• Ensure that designs align with short-, medium-, and long-term mine plans and geotechnical recommendations
• Conduct regular performance reviews and audits of blast outcomes, fragmentation, and vibration data to drive continuous improvement
• Manage QA/QC programs for drilling accuracy, hole deviation, and explosive loading compliance
• Build and lead a team of engineers and technicians, fostering professional growth and succession planning
• Act as a subject matter expert to provide mentoring, training, and competency development for developing engineers at all levels
• Promote collaboration and clear communication between the technical, operational, and contractor teams
• Regular on-bench field inspections of drilling and blasting practices
• Oversight of the post blast review and reconciliations
• Oversight of recordkeeping and document controls

Contractor Management

• Manage the operational drilling and blasting contracts and associated local suppliers
• Act as the primary technical and operational interface between the owner's team and the drill & blast contractors
• Oversee contractor performance against KPIs, including safety, productivity, compliance, QAQC, and cost
• Review and approve contractor drill and blast plans, ensuring alignment with mine planning and safety standards
• Manage contract scope variations, performance reporting, and commercial compliance in conjunction with Supply and Contracts departments
• Act as a subject matter expert to train and develop local engineers

General Support

• General support of the Mine Technical Services team to suit the needs of the business

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Tertiary qualifications in Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Geotechnical Engineering

Experience:

• 8–10 years of experience in open cut mining, with significant (5+ years) Drill & Blast experience in hard rock environments
• Expert knowledge of Drill & Blast engineering, design, and execution
• Expert knowledge of nonel and electronic initiation systems
• Expert knowledge of technical blasting situations – presplitting, vibration restrictions, flyrock management, geotechnical constraints, wall protection, reactive ground, oversize rocks, secondary blasting, toe shots, wall trims, misfire management, etc.
• On-bench blasting experience, and willingness to provide direct supervision in the field
• Experienced user of Drill & Blast design software (Maptek, Deswik, ShotPlus)
• Knowledge of short and medium term mine planning
• Knowledge of drilling machinery capabilities and operational constraints
• Previous expat experience is highly regarded
• Previous greenfield experience is highly regarded

Skills and Capabilities

Core Competencies:

• Strong technical leadership and people management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop engineers
• Expert knowledge of blast design optimization and fragmentation control
• Excellent contractor management and commercial awareness
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with focus on continuous improvement
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills at all organizational levels
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical, operational, and contractor teams
• Commitment to safety excellence and compliance with industry standards

What We Offer

A competitive salary is offered, with short and long-term incentives.

Apply today for an immediate response, and full brief, in assured confidence.

Kevin Gill | Delivery Manager - APAC

Mining and Energy Recruitment | Executive Search | RPO

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