Job Location: Eritrea, East Africa
Job Closing Date: 22 July 2026
Salary: Market Related
Contract Period: Definite (2 Years)
Introduction to Bisha Mining Share Company
BMSC is an Eritrean company formed for the development and operation of the Bisha Mine in western Eritrea, Africa. The Bisha Mine is a high-grade copper, gold, silver and zinc mine that commenced production in February 2011. The Bisha Mine has received continuous support from the Eritrean government, who granted the Company's mining license in January 2008. The project is the first modern mine in Eritrea.
After two years of low cost gold production, the Bisha Mine transitioned to low-cost, high-grade copper production in 2013. Starting in 2016, Bisha also produces zinc concentrate. Further resource potential exists at depth and from nearby discoveries within the Company's licensed areas.
The site is a well-established site with excellent catering and recreational facilities. The site also offers Wi-Fi internet coverage throughout the village as well international TV and a full gymnasium. Security ranks with best in the world and employees mountain bike freely. Expatriates work a roster of 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off; we offer on-site medical services as well as company medical, accident death and disability and life insurance (employee only); Employees are provided with private rooms with en-suite toilet and shower facilities; Working hours at Bisha are Monday to Saturday from 6am to 6pm with a one hour lunch break and Sundays from 6am to 12pm with the afternoon off.
The successful candidate will earn a salary which is market related. Contract is for a period of 02 (two) Years.
Kindly Note - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks after the application closing date.
Primary Purpose
- To manage and coordinate all day to day facets of drilling and blasting operations.
- To effectively manage the operational requirements in a safe and cost effectively manner. Knowledge transfer and mentoring of national Engineers and Supervisors.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ensuring that drill and blast section outcomes are met through a safe, effective with efficient utilization of resources (human and capital), in accordance with company objectives.
- Accountable for delivering individual and team production targets, coaching and mentoring the team members for continuous improvement.
TASK DESCRIPTION EXPANDED TO CORE PERFORMANCE AREAS
Safety, Health and Environment
- Actively promoting and coordinating responsible work practices including maintaining a high standard of housekeeping at all times and providing feedback on Safety, Health and Environmental matters
- Ensure all safety performance targets are achieved. Encourage and reward crew member with recognition
- Actively promote hazard identification, mentor employees through daily inspections and practice visible felt leadership
- Ensure all safety and environmental incidents are reported in accordance with the incident notification, recording, investigation and reporting procedure, mentor Supervisors and Engineers with incident investigation, root cause analysis and corrective action plan
- Ensure drill and blast equipment is used in accordance with its design parameters and correct operating techniques
- Ensure geotechnical hazards are reported immediately to the Geotechnical section
- Mentoring team to work safely through support and good example and not accepting behaviours which could cause harm
- Identify, immediately report, and control where possible any incident, injury, hazard or environmental damage you encounter
- Mentor incident investigations to ensure the root causes are properly identified and work practices adjusted accordingly when necessary
- Ensure environmental management plans are followed and reviewed regularly
- Maintain a duty of care to self and others and insist that work is stopped if you think it is not safe
- SOP review and amendments as required
- Safety and procedure changes and reviews, to account for technology and product advancements
Core Performance Area;
- Incidents and hazards are reported in accordance with business unit requirements
- Monitor safety concerns raised, ensure concerns are rectified and feedback is provided
- Manage and control hazards within the department and act upon to eliminate or minimize likelihood
- Wearing of the correct PPE and enforcing site procedures
People
- Management of drilling and blasting operations including management and mentoring of D&B project engineer, D&B Engineers, Supervisors, Crew leaders, Drillers, Blasters and MMU operators.
- Conduct informational meetings and contribute to the sharing of knowledge and information to the national workforce
- Demonstrate leadership and encourage personal behaviours that uphold Bisha’s Core values
- Have regular performance tracking discussions, listen to team member’s improvement ideas and provide Core Performance Area;
- Identify resource and skill gaps for team members and set up action plan to close gaps
- Supervise work performance to ensure clear, challenging and measurable goals are set and are achieved
- Optimise performance by ensuring all understand their position purpose, key accountabilities, performance requirements and that these align with individual skill and capability to produce quality outcomes through applied coaching and feedback
- Support and mentor National employees
- Contribute to teamwork and personal development plans for National employees
- Mentor MMU Operators in component failure cause, remedial actions and prevention
- Review and approve drill and blast operational training packages in conjunction with the Mine Training Supervisor
- Mentor Drill and Blast Trainers to assist with training and assessment on explosive use, equipment safe operations,
- Implement a program of ongoing training and development so as to positively affect skills and technology transfer for successful succession planning
Core Performance;
- Monitor and encourage safety and production KPI’s
- Monitor individual performance and provide coaching and feedback on a regular basis
- Contribute positively at meetings
- Lead, demonstrate and educate employees to embrace a work environment free from discrimination where everyone is included and treated with respect
Productivity
Task Description;
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- Develop and manage key safety and productivity goals within the department
- Comply with and enforce the requirements set out in Standard Operating Procedures
- Perform daily pattern inspections within drilling and blasting to ensure compliance to design parameters
- Ensure non-conformances are communicated to the relevant personnel for implementation of immediate corrective actions. When operational changes may be required due to either design non-conformance or operational issues ensure that the change is effectively communicated to all relevant stakeholders
- Ensure compliance with storage, handling and transporting of explosives
- Champion operational quality control. Utilize QAQC reports to hold operators accountable who do not follow design
- Provide support and quality control of the loading, tieing in and firing of blasts
- Monitor consumable usage for optimal and efficient operation
- Identify and participate in continuous improvement projects which including cost saving and production efficiency projects
- In conjunction with Supervisors, develop TBRAs for hazardous tasks
- Optimize usage of MMU parts and consumables, ensure sufficient HME stock levels are maintained at all times in conjunction with Maintenance Planners
- Ensure sufficient stock levels for all drilling and blasting consumables including blasting powder and accessories
- Impliment maintenance schedules for MMU and ancillary equipment, breakdown and failure analysis investigation to be completed in conjunction with HME department.
- Cost analysis on drilling consumables
- Review bulk explosive/consumables usage and suggest ways to improve costs without sacrificing fragmentation
- Trial and implementation testing of all new bulk explosive, its effectiveness/efficiency and all safety standards/MSDS adhered too.
- Manage post blast analysis program to ensure continuous improvement of blasting designs
- Work with the Geotechnical department to set standards for wall control blasting in different domains and ensure pit wall quality is to the highest standard on final walls
- Mentor Drill and Blast Engineers on global best practice on all drill and blast designs
Technical Accountabilities;
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- Approve accurate Drill & Blast designs in a timely manner as defined by the Monthly Blast Master and Weekly Plan provided by Short engineers
- Undertake Drill and Blast related project studies and investigations including but not limited to blast movement monitoring, wall control blasting trials, timing initiation designs and mine to mill analysis
- Ensure compliance to reactive ground testing and adjust procedure to suit approved recommendations
- Ensure explosive forecast and budget quantity align with ANSI to a minimum of 6 months stock levels
- Communicate and assist with in country emulsion supplier on produced quality and performance
- Conduct VOD testing and analyze data for improved fragmentation
- Develop a close working relationship with the Geotechnical Engineer in order to optimize pit wall stability
- Work with the Short Range Planners to develop the Monthly Blast Master
- In conjunction with D&B Engineers lead and manage yearly D&B budget and forecast development
- Monthly reconciliation of all costs within D&B
- Ensure PF and consumables are within the budget and strive to deliver a cost reduction initiative on the yearly budget without sacrificing fragmentation
- Review QA/QC data, digging rates, blast videos and conduct post blast analysis to determine areas of further improvement
Core Performance;
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- Monthly Reporting, performance monitoring and budgeting
- Manage and budget the recruiting of new staff
- Ensure all relevant documentation has been signed off
- All work is carried out safely with regular management and supervision of team members
- Chair meetings and encourage positive contribution from all team members
- Monitor equipment / consumable usage for optimal and efficient operations
- Ensure compliance with Bisha’s policies and procedures
UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS / OTHER INFORMATION
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- This role require a strong leadership capability
- Actively participate in Eritrean’s skill development
- Identify employee(s) whom he/she is responsible to mentor
- Provide on the job skills training to protégés
Qualifications:
- 12 years operational experience in Drill and Blast as a Driller, Blaster or MMU Operator including a minimum of 6 years at a Supervisory level. Mining or Civil Engineering degree is an asset
Knowledge and Experience:
- Significant experience in a hard rock mining environment
- Comprehensive supervision and leadership skills
- Experience with Explosive Magazine Management
- Experienced in dealing with and managing Reactive Ground is an asset
- Experience working with MMU’s on tight blasting patterns
- Extensive experience with DTH drills
- Experience with bit sharpening and hammer rebuilding
- Experience with NONEL detonation systems
Technical Skills
- Computer Literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point)
- Experience with mining and blasting software. Surpac & Blast Map experience an asset
- Problem solving and solution implementation
- Experience designing and signing off on blast pattern design
- Experience designing blasting tie ins
- Experience in post blast analysis, including assessing fragmentation
- Experience in blasthole drilling QA/QC
Behavioral Skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Results oriented
- Good interdepartmental communication
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary environment
- Supervision and leadership skills
- A commitment to safe work practices
- Self-motivation, organisation and planning skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- A willingness to transfer knowledge to a national workforce