Drill & Blast Engineer AngloGold Ashanti (AGA)

AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) is the world's third largest gold producer with 20 operations in 10 countries on four continents.   AGA employs over 62,000 people globally.  In Australia, AGA operates the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine and is developing the Tropicana Gold Mine in which it has a 70% interest and is manager.  Independence Group NL holds the remaining 30%.  The Sunrise Dam and Tropicana operations are both situated in WA.

Tropicana represents the most significant Australian gold discovery of the last decade.  The new, large scale open pit gold mining operation will produce 3.45 million ounces over a 10 year mine life (approved project).  Construction began in 2011 and first gold is anticipated in the December quarter of 2013.

We are now seeking an experienced Drill & Blast Engineer to join our Mining team at the Tropicana Gold Mine.

Accountable to the Mining Manager, this role is responsible for strategic planning, optimisation and monitoring of Drill and Blast activities. This involves overseeing the drill & blast designs from the Alliance contractor and continuous improvement initiatives. This role is based at the Tropicana Gold Mine based on an 8/6 FIFO roster from Perth or Kalgoorlie.

The main tasks of the role include but are not limited to:

• Strategic planning and optimisation and Drill and Blast activities
• Monitor and report compliance to Drill and Blast Standards of Macmahon's engineers, including grade control drilling standards
• Monitor GC work packages, identifying overlaps or gaps with production operations
• Coordination and review of QA/QC, including BVI installation and use, blast vibration monitoring, fragmentation analysis, ability to di material, dilution and ore loss from blasting.
• Monitor mis-fire register, magazine log books, register and access
• Review of the explosive management plan
• Monitor and review MMRS data from production drilling, blasting, and grade control drilling
• Provide specialist advice on drill and blast impacts to costs per ounce, and advice to identify and mitigate blasting related risks
• Monitor powder factors, bulk explosives and consumables usage against budget
• Lead or assist with incident investigations involving explosive usage including misfires, flyrock and excessive blast vibrations

The ideal candidate will possess:

• At least 3 years engineering experience at two or more mining operations
• Bachelor Degree in Mining Engineering or AusIMM accepted equivalent
• Experience with large scale open-pit hard rock mining
• Experience in contract administration, progress claims and contract variations, preferably in a Mining Alliance environment
• Experience in managing mining and continuous improvement projects
• Competent in at least one General Mining Package (eg Vulcan, Datamine or MineSight), a Scheduling Package (eg Deswik, MineMax, Xpac) and MS Office software including Excel and Project
• Excellent computer skills such as basic scripting

Applicants with Vulcan experience will be held in high regard

To be successful in this role you will also need to share AngloGold Ashanti's values and its commitment to safety and the environment.

Please apply online at http://careers.anglogoldashanti.com/

Recruitment Agency referrals will not be accepted for this role

Please note - only candidates who are successfully shortlisted will be contacted

Applications Close: 24/02/2013 6:00 PM