Drill & Blast Subject Matter Expert - Independent Consultant

As an open pit mine drill and blast subject matter expert, you will work with colleagues at dss+ to improve safety in opening pit mining operations with a specific focus on drill and blast operations.

You’ll save lives, drive performance and improve the working lives of our clients’ employees.

As a freelance specialist in drill and blast operations, you will be expected to provide technical expertise as part of the dss+ team to the client and its employees, whilst supporting a larger transformation project.

Specifically, you will be providing technical advice on drill & blast processes, including:

• Blast design

• Explosive selection and handling

• Drill rigs

• Risk Assessment methodologies

The project is scheduled to start in September 2025, with onboarding and training taking place from mid-to-late August.

At dss+, we embrace and celebrate diversity. Above all, we are an inclusive culture in which everyone contributes and has the chance to develop their talents further.

As a technical expert with operational experience of risk and safety management in the field of Drill & Blast engineering in open pit mining you will have the following experience and expertise:

Blast Design Expertise:

• Proficient in designing drill patterns, burden, spacing, subdrill, stemming, and initiation sequences.

• Deep understanding of blast fragmentation modeling, throw control, and muck pile shaping for loading efficiency.

• Knowledge of controlled blasting techniques (e.g., presplit, cushion blasting) near pit walls.

Explosives Selection & Handling:

• Solid experience with ANFO, emulsions, boosters, detonators (Nonel, electronic), and primers.

• Understanding of explosive energy characteristics and their impact on rock mass fragmentation and vibration.

Initiation Systems:

• Familiarity with advanced electronic blasting systems, including timing control and vibration management.

• Ability to evaluate the safety and performance implications of different initiation sequences.

Drill Rigs and Equipment:

• Knowledge of drill rig capabilities, maintenance, bit selection, and their effect on hole deviation and blasting outcomes.

Risk Assessment Methodologies:

• Application of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Bowtie, or Hazard Identification (HAZID) techniques.

• Use of probabilistic or semi-quantitative risk models for evaluating likelihood and impact.

Monitoring and Control Techniques:

• Interpretation of data from blast monitoring tools: seismographs, high-speed cameras, drone imagery.

• Knowledge of post-blast audits, including fragmentation analysis (e.g., WipFrag), vibration data, and flyrock trajectory evaluation.

• Familiarity with ground vibration and airblast prediction models and regulatory thresholds (e.g., NIOSH, ISEE, Brazilian standards).

Due to the multi-national make up of the teams you will be working with, you will need to be able to work in both English and Portuguese at a professional level.

Diversity and Inclusion

dss+ is committed to a diverse workforce and believes that this is essential to strengthening our company and driving sustainable growth. We are committed and driving accountability for growing DSS through diversity. Diversity is an indispensable part of our organization's culture. The goal of our commitment to inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunity has not only become a competitive advantage for us but has attracted highly capable and talented employees to DSS.

dss+ Core Values

dss+ works with clients to save lives and create a sustainable future. To do so effectively, we live our core values that underpin our thinking, our goals and our actions, every step of the way. Coupled with our passion and expertise, the dss+ core values ensure we forge a path to success for our employees, stakeholders and clients — one that we can all be proud of. What ideals do we prioritise? These are the four compass points that guide our actions.

Safety and health

We share a personal and professional commitment to protecting the safety and health of our employees, contractors, customers and the people of the communities in which we operate.

Environmental stewardship

We find science-enabled solutions for our customers, always managing our businesses to protect and preserve the environment, both for today and for the future.

Respect for people

We treat our employees and all our partners with professionalism, dignity and respect, fostering an environment where people can contribute, innovate and excel.

Highest ethical behaviour

We conduct ourselves and our business affairs in accordance with the highest ethical standards, striving always to be a respected corporate citizen worldwide.

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