Drill Rig Assistant

Purpose of Role

To actively provide comprehensive support to the Drill Rig Operator by monitoring the performance of the Drill Rig whilst in operation, monitoring any external changes in performance of the Drill Rig as well as changes in the Health and Safety as it relates to the operational environment and notifying the Drill Rig operator.

Role Context

Compliance, Risk and Safety

• Attend daily safety meetings with the drilling team to discuss Safe declaration prior to any drilling work being conducted, to identify and report any substandard conditions.
• Participate in all safety initiatives and attend safety meetings to support identification and reporting of any safety hazards and unsafe work practices.
• Support a safe work environment, by walking the drilling blocks prior to starting operations, to identify safe area for tramming rigs in and out of the block.
• Sign the risk assessment, together with the Production supervisor and Drill Rig Operator, prior to starting drilling operations, to indicate the block to be drilled has passed the safety inspection.
• Conduct continuous risk assessments throughout the day actively identifying and reporting identified risks within the areas of operation based on changes whilst drilling is being conducted ensuring that the operations and the Drill Rig remain safe and fully operational.
• Maintain and manage one’s own health and safety across the area of operations by adhering to all health and safety protocols and procedures to minimise any incidents within the working environment.

Drill Rig Operations

• Support drilling operations, in accordance with established procedures and safety protocols, and maintain high levels of productivity by assisting in Drill Rig setup and ensuring that the drilling remains aligned to the requirements of the mining plan.
• Strictly adhere to safety protocols and procedures, including the drill plan, during drilling operations to minimise accidents, injuries, and equipment damage.
• Conduct continuous quality control checks on the functionality of the drill rig as well as the environment in which the drill rig is being operated and notify the Drill Rig Operator of any deviations.
• Write up drilling tags by noting all critical measurements and factors, as they pertain to the specific drilled holes, by measuring and recording the depth of the holes before they are blasted.
• Escort the Drill Rig into position for drilling by engaging with the Operator and providing direction, considering the environmental surroundings not visible to the operator themselves, actively working to reduce damage, risk or injury to both people and equipment based on the movement of the rig.
• Clean holes with hand tools and plug the holes to ensure that the integrity of the hole is not compromised, guaranteeing that the working environment is safe from open holes.
• Replace GET such as bits, rods and hammers on the rig based on the sizing requirements of the holes needed to conduct blasting on the respective block, by taking direction from the Foreman, supervisor as well as the Drill Rig Operator.
• Complete job cards based on how many holes have been drilled, cleaned and plugged-in relation to the mining plan to inform tracking of the process, highlighting inefficiencies and delays within the process.

Resource Management

• Determine resource needs within own area of responsibility to achieve individual role outcomes.
• Request required assets and resources for the fulfilment of work duties to attain quality work outputs.
• Use assets and resources optimally within own area of responsibility.
• Inspect equipment, reporting on those reaching the end of their lifespan to management, to ensure proper functioning.

Stakeholder Relations

• Engage with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of specialisation, as directed by the Manager.
• Communicate with internal and/or external stakeholders, where required, to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships.
• Communicate with the Survey and Geology team to receive instructions on where to plot the drill holes.

Qualifications:

• Matric/Grade 12 would be an advantage

Certifications:

• DM30

Job specific experience:

• Minimum of 0-1 year of experience having worked in a similar type of role, in the mining or heavy industry environment, using the same or similar type of equipment.

Inherent requirements

Must be medically fit

Closing date: 20 August 2025

NOTE: PREFERANCE WILL BE GIVEN TO FEMALE CANDIDATES