Drill and Blast Superintendent

RESPONSIBILITIES

Role Purpose: The Drill and Blast Superintendent leads the drill and blast engineering team and is responsible for designing, executing, and optimizing drilling and blasting activities across the mine site. The role ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while minimizing ore dilution and maximizing fragmentation to support production targets. This position plays a key role in coordinating with geology, survey, and production teams to ensure alignment with mine plans and operational goals.

Drill & Blast Design and Execution:

• Identify life-of-mine risks & opportunities and prepare relevant analysis.
• Evaluate projects to support life-of-mine improvement and growth.
• Develop and implement drill and blast designs tailored to orebody geometry and geotechnical conditions.
• Optimize blast patterns and charge designs to minimize dilution and ore loss.
• Monitor and analyze blast performance, fragmentation, and vibration impacts.
• Manage explosives inventory, compliance, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure timely execution of drilling and blasting schedules aligned with short- and medium-term mine plans.

Leadership and Safety:

• Promote and develop the skills of subordinates through the transfer of technology and skill development through on-the-job training programs.
• Be a safety leader and adhere to and promote all safety and environmental rules and procedures.
• Supervise and review the work of direct reports and others and provide feedback where required.
• Encourage and facilitate effective and supportive communication between all team members and related departments.
• Provide direction and act as an experienced reference point and mentor for technical staff while ensuring department work outputs align with strategic and annual plans.
• Ensure that all reporting meets required standards and is completed and distributed on time.
• Coordinate Drill and blast work with Geology, Survey, Mining, and any mining sub-contractors as required.
• Keep all necessary records and archive documents in accordance with all legal and statutory regulations, rules and company policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure personnel within the section have the appropriate equipment, licenses, skills, inductions and training to undertake their tasks safely and effectively.
• Develop training, development and succession plans for each direct report and ensure their ongoing technical and professional development, including upgrading existing procedures using relevant software.
• Be accountable for the initiation of any disciplinary action or reward recognition for staff under your report.
• Supervise and mentor drill and blast engineers, technicians, and contractors.
• Promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility in all drill and blast operations.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory regulations and company policies regarding explosives and blasting activities.
• Lead incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Production Technical Services:

• Manage drill & blast activities, including design, stock control and performance improvement.
• Ensure designs, schedules, reports and other technical documentation are prepared to a high standard, stored electronically, well organised and made available on request.
• Work with Geology and Survey teams to complete detailed end-of-month reconciliation.
• Prepare Annual Mine Plan and Quarterly Reforecasts in line with strategic plans and with guidance from the site and group management teams.
• Develop and implement best practice mine engineering policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement systems, procedures and tools to ensure mine plans are well understood, communicated and complied with by mining and other departments.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) including drill rates, blast efficiency, fragmentation, and dilution metrics and consumable consumption rates.
• Support the preparation of production schedules, performance reports, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with mine planning, geology, and survey teams to ensure integration of drill and blast activities into overall mine operations.

Dilution Control and Ore Preservation:

• Active involvement and leadership are required to deliver activities.
• Support all operational readiness planning and preparation projects.
• Collaborate with geology and survey teams to identify ore boundaries and minimize dilution.
• Implement QA/QC protocols for drill and blast activities to ensure precision and control.
• Conduct post-blast reviews and reconciliation to assess dilution and recovery.
• Train operators and engineers on best practices for dilution control.

Safety & Sustainability Expectations

• Maintain a cooperative interest in the health and safety of self, fellow workers and local communities.
• Wear PPE where required. Be alert and observe, correct and report unsafe conditions.
• Follow all safe work procedures and comply with all regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that work areas follow all of FG Gold’s Health and Safety policies.
• Intervene as necessary to ensure the safety of others in the workplace.
• Provide safety leadership by always setting a good example.
• Comply with the Local Content, which is key to the success of the project.
• Maximize the positive impact on Sierra Leone due to your action, including recruitment and procurement matters.

Safety Management:

• Demonstrate personal commitment regarding safety and environmental and Social Responsibility practices.
• Ensure every person within the team is fit for work.
• Ensure that agreed procedures, safeguards and controls are applied and used.
• Ensure all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with Company standards and procedures.
• Ensure hazard management plans are observed.
• Keep statutory and internal reporting as required.
• Active participation in the Health & Safety Committee.

QUALIFICATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Educational Background: 

Holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or a related discipline.

Experience:

• 10+ years in surface mining, preferably gold, with strong drill and blast expertise
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in dilution control, blast optimization, and explosives management 
• Demonstrated communication skills, including an ability to build relationships with both internal stakeholders and external consultants.
• Possess a high understanding of project management, project development, and engineering work methodology.
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated commercial insight, strategic thinking, and business acumen.
• Proven ability to effectively present and communicate key technical, financial, safety, environmental and social matters to the board and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of establishing and maintaining safe work environments and fostering a strong safety culture.
• Experience and knowledge to ensure compliance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and associated permits.

Technical Skills:

• Must be strong in Deswik, Surpac, BlastIQ, SHOTPlus, and other drill & blast modelling tools

Languages: 

Fluency in English.

Personal Attributes and Competencies:

• Demonstrates clear and transparent communication across all levels.
• Builds strong relationships and promotes effective teamwork.
• Plans and organizes work efficiently to achieve objectives.
• Takes initiative and drives innovative, value-adding actions.
• Adapts effectively to changing priorities and work environments.
• Acts with honesty, transparency, and integrity in all dealings.
• Shows commitment to organizational goals and continuous improvement.
• Values diversity and fosters an inclusive workplace.
• Upholds company values and maintains high ethical standards.
• Accepts accountability and delivers reliable results.
• Displays energy, enthusiasm, and a proactive approach to challenges.
• Maintains composure and professionalism under pressure.
• Promotes fairness, equality, and respect for all.
• Creates an approachable and open atmosphere for communication.
• Provides clear direction and effective supervision to teams.
• Motivates and empowers others to reach high performance levels.
• Applies sound judgment in building and leading effective teams.
• Makes confident, timely decisions in complex situations.
• Focuses on achieving measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Improves work processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Encourages creativity and manages innovation effectively.

Physical Requirements:

Excellent physical condition to handle demanding work environments.

• Location: Baomahun Mine Site, Sierra Leone (approx. 225 km northwest of Freetown)
• Roster: 7 weeks on / 3 weeks off

HOW TO APPLY?

You can submit your application, along with your most recent curriculum vitae, via email to recruitment@fg-gold.com, ensuring the subject line includes the job title: “DRILL AND BLAST SUPERINTENDENT”. The deadline for submission is 12th December 2025.

FG Gold is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, national origin, tribe, gender, or age.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.