Job Details

Job Description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

General Role Purpose:

Coordinate and manage Drill and Blast Operations activities to achieve mine plans and Drill and Blast targets and budgets. Provide leadership to Drill and Blast Operations teams ensuring safe operating practices and maximum equipment utilisation through sound operating practices and processes and compliance with Asset Management Strategies.

Qualifications (required for job):

• Degree or Diploma in Mining or related discipline.
• Business related courses, i.e. Financial Management, Contract Management, Human Resources or similar, are desirable.
• Valid driver’s license.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Working knowledge of the regulatory environment for drill and blast/mining/heavy industry, specifically accountabilities for a Mine Operations Superintendent
• Sound understanding of contemporary open pit mining practices and principles and associated equipment and technology.
• Experience working with electronic, non-electric and detonating cord initiating system is essential.
• Experience working with crawler and platform drill rigs and both percussive and rotary drilling.
• Proven capacity to lead, engage and motivate teams.
• Computer literacy in the use of Microsoft Suite applications.
• Time management, planning and prioritising skills.
• Proven and effective people management skills.
• Prior experience with managing drill and blast contracts.
• Experience leading and managing large teams of people.
• Demonstrated minimum of 10 – 15 years in open pit mining across multiple sites.
• Experience with multiple pit operations, utilising ultra-class machinery, preferably in developing countries.
• Excellent working knowledge of mine Fleet Management Systems.
• Experience in the preparation and management of operating budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate labour, equipment and materials.

Core Specific Responsibilities and Expected Deliverables:

• Liaise closely with key stakeholders to establish mine plans and Drill and Blast requirements and ensure allocation and availability of appropriate resources to achieve plans.
• Coordinate plans and utilise available equipment and resources to achieve Drill and Blast schedule.
• Utilise and ensure full compliance and understanding of the Fleet Management System, Modular Provision and BlastIQ to maximise productivities.
• Ensure teams have an understanding of the FQM Asset Management Strategy and that all equipment is operated and maintained to achieve whole-of-life plans.
• Liaise closely with Maintenance regarding scheduled equipment maintenance requirements, and plan for equipment downtime in accordance with Asset Management Strategies.
• Manage the recruitment, selection and training of personnel to ensure maximum utilisation and maintenance of equipment assets.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and communicate operational priorities in line with business and improvement strategies to the teams
• Develop and maintain effective networks through collaborative relationships with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Manage the engagement and performance of external contractor suppliers and monitor the quality and standard of services delivered by external contractors through Contracts.
• Ensure compliance with relevant Legislation and Statutory obligations as under Mine Safety Regulations.
• Manage Drill and Blast area budgets to achieve business outcomes.
• Prepare Monthly cost variation reports that explain significant deviations against plan.
• Manage key contractors and contracts ensuring adherence to the budget cost and expected outcome.
• Promote and adhere to appropriate internal methodologies, policies, procedures and standards.
• Consistently maintain a high standard and quality of work across all allocated functions.
• Provide input/informed commentary, improvement opportunities and areas of risk to management.
• Actively contribute to an improvement culture by actively encouraging employees to participate in continuous improvement.
• Define training, development and performance expectations for employees. Mentor and coach performance against these standards, including conducting formal performance appraisals, implementing corrective and improvement initiatives in accordance with FQM policy.
• Ensure succession planning and development of team members including appropriate training and assessment in order for employees to competently, safely and productively perform all aspects of their role.
• Work with Group Drill and Blast Specialist team on continuous improvement projects, technology implementation, training and mentoring initiatives and mine optimisation.

Behavioural Traits / Personal Characteristics:

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to work in a “team” environment.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to maintain composure under stressful situations and conflicting priorities while providing leadership and direction.
• Must be able to develop and maintain a cohesive team.
• Vision to perceive risks and opportunities with superior decision-making ability to act on these accordingly.
• Ability to develop solutions in challenging environment.
• FQM’s culture is all about encouraging people to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best results through the company culture of:
  • Bolder : flexible, versatile, and prepared to take on challenges as needed.
  • Smarter : always looks for efficiencies and better ways of doing things
  • Driven : sets high standards, is motivated and determined.
  • Together : communicates well with peers and understand others views.

Operational Requirements

• The Trident Operation is at Kalumbila, approximately 150 km from Solwezi, in north west Zambia.
• The Enterprise Mine is a sediment-hosted nickel-sulphide deposit. The open cut mine is developed using traditional drill, blast and load and haul techniques.
• This position is based on-site and will be focusing on driving and delivering operational accountability and ownership across various units at Trident Operations.
• Rosters and working hours may vary depending on business requirements.

Safety and Environmental Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all site procedures, policies and site environmental requirements to ensure work is conducted a safe manner so that there are zero lost time injuries.
• Ensure all Drill and Blast Operations activities are designed, planned and carried out in accordance with FQM’s safety systems and comply with Zambian Regulations.
• Actively promote safety awareness and safe work practices and compliance with the safety management plan.
• Manage key safety investigations, prepare/guide reports and recommendations, and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Actively promote environmentally responsible work practices and ensure environmental issues are addressed through controls, training and improvement programs.
• Actively promote and audit the use of the FQM Risk Assessment tools, Think! Safety, Job Risk Assessment (JRA), Safe Operating Procedures (SOP0, Visible Felt Leadership (VFL), etc.
• Ensure that all workplace Hazards are identified and then controlled via the Hazard ID process.
• Proactively confront others about safety and security violations.