Description

Job Title: Drilling Specialist

Thungela Resources is seeking a highly skilled Drilling Specialist to join our team. As a key member of our operations team, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient execution of underground directional drilling projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance and input on drilling-related matters, ensuring adherence to technical specifications.
• Offer advice on safety, cost management, and project execution, while implementing underground directional drilling strategies and equipment management.
• Develop, maintain, update, and communicate all legal operational policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• Set and achieve safety, health, and environmental targets while ensuring effective communication with contractors and suppliers.
• Optimise operational capabilities and assets by improving standards and supporting the implementation of new underground directional drilling methods and technologies.
• Research, identify, and implement best practices, technologies, and equipment in Underground Directional Drilling, serving as a technical expert.
• Conduct trend analysis, incident investigations, and reporting findings in underground directional drilling.
• Perform audits as needed, identifying possible system and process failures, assisting with accident and incident investigations, and ensure documentation of trial of events and root causes.
• Prepare documentation and writing reports for management detailing causes and possible solutions.
• Keep up to date with underground Directional Drilling advancements by attending conferences, courses, seminars, liaising with peers, building relationships with contractors, and exchanging insights with Thungela Resources Technical Division on standards and specifications.
• Align business unit standards with Thungela Resources standards as well as local and international best practices.
• Ensure effective stakeholder management and communication through the identification and dissemination of best practices, technologies, and equipment.
• Maintain effective cost control and people management.

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 with mathematics.
• Millwright or Electronic Mechanician trade.
• Certificate: "DGS" Refresher training course.
• National certificate in Mining Operations: Underground Coal: Blasting operations (Preferred).
• Certificate in Flame proof and gas testing for Supervisors.
• "SLP" Safety leadership programme certificate.
• Certificate in Testing of the Monitech Guardian Methane System.
• Safety Course A2 Certificate.
• Competent A & B Certificate.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Extensive experience in the Underground Coal Mining Environment.
• Experience in evaluating management principles related to mining and associated equipment, along with operational standards and philosophies.
• Extensive experience in drilling and blasting.
• Proficient knowledge in data analysis and reporting techniques, processes, and tools for underground directional drilling.

Additional Information:

• Strong understanding of legislation relating to the mining industry.
• Solid knowledge of Thungela Resources core value chain and Operational Codes of Practices and Procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Thungela Resources Safety, Health and Environmental operational policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.
• In-depth knowledge related to Underground Mining Operations.
• Awareness of best practices and new technologies relating to the mining industry.
• Understanding of basic geology and mine planning principles and processes.

About Thungela Resources:

We're a company that promotes an environment that inspires innovation and where people have a shared sense of purpose. Skills, experience, creativity, and agility underpin our ability to grow and thrive. This means building a diverse team of high-performing individuals who operate our sites safely, effectively, and cost efficiently.

What We Offer:

When you join Thungela, you can expect to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package. But people want more out of their jobs than financial benefit alone. Being able to work with thought leaders, opportunities for development, strong values, and a sound organisational culture all contribute significantly to a compelling employee value proposition.

Inclusion and Diversity:

True diversity is about more than being an equal opportunities employer. It is about bringing out the best in people for the good of our business, its partners, and especially our employees. We're committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where people are valued and respected for who they are and know exactly what value they bring to the table.