Mining Engineer - Drill & Blast

Turner Mining Group

5d•$120,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

The Drill and Blast Engineer owns the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of drilling and blasting programs across Turner Mining Group’s surface mining projects. This corporate remote-based role supports multiple sites and involves approximately 25–50% travel. The engineer develops and sustains programs and systems to achieve target fragmentation, wall control, and ore boundary integrity safely and at the lowest total cost to the downstream load, haul, and processing chain. The role works closely with site operations and engineering teams, drill and blast crews, explosives suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and client survey, geology, and engineering teams. It requires a solid understanding of drilling, rock breakage, explosives performance, and blasting regulations, as well as practical judgment in a contract mining environment. The successful candidate uses data to measure performance, communicates clearly with crews and clients, and drives improvements in drill productivity, dig rates, crusher throughput, and/or cost per ton.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
3–7 years of drill and blast experience in surface mining, quarrying, or heavy civil operations.
Strong understanding of rock breakage, fragmentation, explosives performance, and initiation systems.
Proficiency with blast design software such as DigiShot, SHOTPlus, BlastLogic, or similar, and mine planning or CAD tools such as Deswik, Vulcan, Carlson, Civil 3D, or similar.
Working knowledge of MSHA explosives regulations and vibration and airblast monitoring practices.
Experience with high-precision drill navigation systems and drill reporting data.
Advanced Excel capability.
Practical, field-oriented engineering approach and comfort working on the bench with drill and blast crews.
Analytical, data-driven approach and ability to connect blast design changes to measurable downstream results.
Strong safety mindset and sound judgment in a high-consequence work environment.
Clear communication across crews, supervisors, managers, suppliers, and client engineering teams.
Strong organization and ability to manage ongoing projects at multiple sites.
Initiative, sound judgment, and preference for field-validated results over theoretical approaches.
Commitment to Turner Mining Group’s values and to advancing safe, efficient, and innovative mining operations.

Nice To Haves

Working proficiency with Power BI or similar reporting tools.
State blaster license or certification.
Experience in open pit hard rock operations.
Experience with blast movement monitoring and fragmentation analysis tools.
Experience with a contract mining company or explosives supplier.
Familiarity with face profiling, drone photogrammetry, or borehole deviation surveys.

Responsibilities

Assist with developing blast design parameters and guidance for production, pre-split, trim, and wall-control shots, including pattern geometry, burden and spacing, hole depth, subdrill, stemming, powder factor, and initiation timing.
Evaluate and tailor blast designs to geology, rock mass conditions, water, and grade control requirements.
Develop processes and systems to create drill plans and design files for high-precision drill navigation systems as required.
Select explosive products and initiation systems in coordination with site teams, clients, and explosives suppliers.
Develop processes and systems to track drilling performance, audit site data, and recommend improvements.
Troubleshoot drilling issues with drill operators and supervisors and improve productivity and accuracy.
Support drill fleet selection, bit and consumables evaluations, and drill production estimates.
Measure fragmentation and correlate results with dig rates, loading productivity, and crusher throughput.
Support investigations of blast-related events and assist sites with corrective actions.
Develop, implement, and monitor ground vibration and air overpressure monitoring programs as required; maintain seismograph records and keep blasting within regulatory and permit limits.
Run controlled trials to balance drill and blast costs against load, haul, and crushing performance on a total-cost basis.
Conduct or support blast movement monitoring to adjust ore boundaries and protect grade control integrity.
Develop systems and processes to track and report drill and blast KPIs through dashboards and regular reviews; audit site data and recommend improvements.
Ensure drill and blast activities comply with MSHA regulations, ATF requirements for explosives storage and handling, state blasting rules, and client permits.
Develop and support systems and processes for blast records, magazine inventory reconciliation, and required regulatory documentation.
Develop and maintain SOPs, risk assessments, and job hazard analyses for drilling and blasting activities.
Train and mentor site personnel on blast design principles, drill quality, and safe blasting practices.
Perform other duties as assigned to support safe and effective project execution.
Provide input on drill and blast designs, productivity estimates, and cost inputs for new bids and project startups.
Review client drill and blast designs and specifications, identify risks, and recommend improvements.
Manage working relationships with explosives suppliers, drilling contractors, and OEMs, including performance reviews and supply arrangements.
Communicate blast plans, results, and improvement initiatives to client engineering and operations teams.