Senior Drill & Blast Supervisor (Explosives Supervisor – Reg 25)
Location: Hemerdon Mine, Plymouth, Devon
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Join the Hemerdon Mine Restart Project
Tungsten West is restarting the world-class Hemerdon Tungsten-Tin Mine and is seeking an experienced Senior Drill & Blast Supervisor to lead all drilling and blasting activities across our open pit hard rock mining operation.
This is a critical leadership role with responsibility for blast performance, production delivery, safety, environmental compliance, and statutory explosives supervision under Regulation 25 of the Quarries Regulations 1999.
** This role requires you to pass a Drug and Alcohol test on day one **
Why Join Us?
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Monday to Friday roster
- Relocation support available
- Work on one of the world's largest tungsten and tin deposits
- Key leadership role within a major UK mining operation
- Long-term career opportunities within a growing mining company
About the Role
You will lead drill and blast operations to ensure safe, compliant and efficient delivery of production targets while maintaining the highest standards of environmental and regulatory performance.
Working closely with Mining, Geology, Planning and Production teams, you will optimise blast outcomes, improve operational performance and develop a high-performing drill and blast team.
Key ResponsibilitiesDrill & Blast Leadership
- Plan, coordinate and supervise all drilling and blasting activities.
- Deliver fragmentation outcomes that support mining and processing requirements.
- Ensure production targets and mine schedules are achieved.
- Coordinate short, medium and long-term drill and blast plans.
Safety & Compliance
- Act as the appointed Explosives Supervisor under Regulation 25.
- Ensure compliance with UK explosives, quarrying and health & safety legislation.
- Maintain safe systems of work and promote a strong safety culture.
- Manage blast-related environmental controls including vibration, air overpressure, flyrock and dust.
Technical Performance
- Design and optimise blast patterns, timing and explosive selection.
- Monitor blast performance and implement improvement initiatives.
- Minimise ore dilution and optimise fragmentation outcomes.
- Support wall control and blasting in vibration-constrained environments.
Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor and develop drill and blast engineers, shotfirers and operational personnel.
- Manage team performance, training and competency requirements.
- Promote continuous improvement and operational excellence.
What We're Looking ForEssential
- Minimum 10 years' experience in hard rock drill and blast operations.
- Experience within an owner-operator mining environment.
- Current or previous appointment as an Explosives Supervisor, or eligibility for appointment under Regulation 25.
- Strong knowledge of UK quarrying, explosives and mining regulations.
- Degree in Mining Engineering or related discipline.
- Shotfiring qualifications and relevant explosives certifications.
- Proven leadership experience in a production mining environment.
- Strong safety and compliance record.
Desirable
- Experience with blast monitoring systems.
- Experience using blast design and mine planning software.
- Background in large-scale open pit hard rock metal mining.
- Experience implementing continuous improvement projects.
Success in This Role
You will be responsible for:
- Safe execution of all drill and blast activities.
- Consistent achievement of production and fragmentation targets.
- Full compliance with regulatory and environmental requirements.
- Delivery of operational improvement initiatives.
- Development of a high-performing drill and blast team.
Apply Now
If you're an experienced drill and blast leader looking to play a key role in the restart of a world-class mining operation, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV and help bring Hemerdon Mine back into production.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
