Drill & Blast Superintendent

Drill & Blast Superintendent

Ravenswood Gold | Ravenswood, North Queensland

Ravenswood Gold is seeking an experienced Drill & Blast Superintendent to lead and optimise drill and blast operations across our large-scale open pit gold mining operation.

This critical leadership role is responsible for safely delivering production targets, driving blasting excellence, managing contractors, and ensuring compliance with legislative and site requirements. Working closely with Mine Operations, Geology and Technical Services teams, you will play a key role in maximising productivity, operational efficiency and value from the mining process.

About the Role

Reporting to the Mining Manager, the Drill & Blast Superintendent will provide leadership, technical expertise and operational oversight for all drilling and blasting activities across the site.

You will be responsible for developing blast strategies, managing contractor performance, optimising blast outcomes, and ensuring all activities are conducted safely and in accordance with Queensland legislative requirements and Ravenswood Gold standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage drill and blast operations to safely achieve production targets in line with the mine plan.
• Develop and oversee blast designs to optimise fragmentation, minimise dilution and support downstream processing performance.
• Coordinate drilling schedules and blasting activities to meet mining production requirements.
• Manage drill and blast contractors to ensure safe, efficient and compliant operations.
• Ensure contractors maintain required licences and approvals in accordance with legislative requirements.
• Oversee explosives management, including storage, transport, handling, reconciliation and security.
• Ensure compliance with the Explosives Act, Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health legislation, and site Blast Management Plans.
• Monitor blast performance and implement improvements to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Manage key blasting risks including exclusion zones, misfires, flyrock and blast fume (NOx) hazards.
• Ensure environmental compliance relating to vibration, airblast overpressure and stakeholder notifications.
• Work collaboratively with Geology, Mine Planning and Operations teams to optimise drill and blast outcomes.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions and preventative measures.
• Prepare and manage budgets relating to drilling, explosives and blasting services.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development to Drill & Blast Engineers and Supervisors.
• Promote a strong safety culture and commitment to continuous improvement across the operation.

About You

• To be successful in this role, you will possess:
• Degree qualification in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in drill and blast operations within open pit mining environments.
• Strong knowledge of blast design principles, explosives management and fragmentation optimisation.
• Proven experience managing drill and blast contractors and operational teams.
• Sound understanding of:

• Explosives Act 1999 (Qld) and Explosives Regulation 2017
• Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld)
• Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (Qld)

• Queensland Shotfirer Licence (or ability to obtain) is highly regarded.
• Current mining supervisor competencies recognised by the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee:

• RIIRIS301E Apply Risk Management Processes
• RIIWHS301E Conduct Safety and Health Investigations
• RIICOM301E Communicate Information

• Experience with mine planning and blast design software such as Surpac, Vulcan, BlastLogic or similar.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Current Class C Driver's Licence.

Why Join Ravenswood Gold?

• Join Queensland’s largest gold mind
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Leadership role with direct impact on operational performance and mine productivity.
• Opportunity to drive drill and blast optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside experienced mining professionals in a collaborative environment.
• Long-term career growth and development opportunities.
• Strong commitment to safety, accountability and operational excellence.

All preferred candidates will undergo pre-employment checks, including a Nationally Coordinated Police Check, medical assessments, reference checks, and verification of qualifications.

Ravenswood Gold acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Country on which we walk, live and work. We recognise their long history on the lands upon which our operations exist today and the care they gave to these lands for thousands of years. We pay our respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and future, and recognise their continuing connection to land, air and sea.

Ravenswood Gold specifically acknowledges the Birriah People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold Mine operates, the Bindal People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold Townsville office and warehouse are located and the Yuggera and Turrbal People who are the Traditional Owners of the Country where the Ravenswood Gold head office is located in Brisbane