Driller - Newmont Mining Corporation

Newmont Mining Corporation is a leading global gold producer with key assets in Nevada, Peru, Australia, Ghana and Suriname.

Newmont’s Africa Operations holds two gold mining operations in Ghana: the Ahafo Mine located in the Brong-Ahafo region and the Akyem Mine located in the Eastern region. There is also near mine exploration and development focus in Ghana to annually replace gold reserves. Newmont Africa also has early-stage exploration programs in the African countries of Ethiopia and Morocco.

Our Africa operations employ approximately 5,900 employees and contractors, with the majority working at the Ahafo Mine. We offer an unparalleled blend of opportunity and career satisfaction with all the benefits you would expect from a global company. This, combined with our growth opportunities, makes Newmont a great company to work for.

Our Akyem and Ahafo mines have made significant sustainable community development investments in our host communities. These include establishing Development Funds at our Akyem and Ahafo operational areas with each mine contributing US$1 per ounce of gold sold and 1% of net pre-tax annual profit into its community development fund.

The only gold company listed in the S&P 500 index, Newmont in 2007 became the first gold company selected to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Newmont’s industry-leading performance is reflected through our Africa operations’ high standards in environmental management, health and safety for our workforce and creating value and opportunity for our employees, host communities and Newmont’s shareholders.

About This Role:

• Are you able to conduct the daily operation of drills, monitor associated consumables to drill in an in-situ rock mass or boulders and prepare them sufficiently for blasting, in a safe and controlled manner?

In This Role You Will:

Drilling Pre-Shifting and On-Shift Activities

• Attend all pre-shift instruction meetings.
• Communicate with and receive instruction from the Drill Supervisor and follow the specified instruction and daily drill plan, prior to the execution of activities.

• Perform pre-start inspections of drilling machine.
• Conduct pre-operational checks and monitor conditions by verifying component functionality, fluid levels and fittings, as well as depth and alignment of collaring positions.
• Constantly monitor equipment performance and consumable parameters to achieve planned life span or better.
• Maneuver and position drill by using jigsaw system, site plans and layouts and set correct angles and depths.
• Start and stop drills and coordinate with other workers on-site.
• Utilize the pre-split drill (Cubex) to accomplish the following activities:
• Understand the drill plans.
• Drill using high precision GPS (Jigsaw).
• Utilize inclinometers to set angles correctly.
• Maintain strict wall control by drilling closely spaced drilling patterns, according to specific parameters.
• Maintain high levels of accuracy to minimize detrimental cost impacts.
• Feed Dispatch accurate information regarding drilling activities.
• Report issues encountered with the inclinometer.
• Utilize the production drill (D45KS) to accomplish the following activities:
• Understand the drill plans.
• Drill using high precision GPS.
• Collar drill holes to clear the mouth of holes from any debris.
• Conduct drilling to the required depth.
• Track planned versus targeted depth.
• Correct any deviations encountered.
• Report issues encountered with GPS to the Dispatcher.
• Manage drill consumables efficiently to prolong its life.
• Maintain high levels of accuracy to minimize detrimental cost impacts.
• Regulate air pressure, rotary speed and downward pressure, according to the type of rock being drilled.
• Conduct drill consumable change-outs, when required.
• Inspect, lubricate and replace components to maintain drill functionality.
• Meet all drill production targets, while avoiding unnecessary damage to the drill.
• Maintain high quality of work, under routine supervision.
• Conduct post-drill clean ups of the drill area.
• Report and escalate all accidents and incidents occurring in the shift immediately to the Dispatcher/Supervisor.
• Meet and/or exceed established performance expectations in drill meter targets set by management.
• Supervise the activities of the Drill Helper to assure that all rocks are moved; adhere to consumable management protocols and report loss of consumables to the Drill Supervisor.
• Assist in developing peers to perform drilling duties.
• Perform other related activities, as assigned by the Supervisor.

Additional Responsibilities:

Drill Post-Shift Handover

• Communicate and provide work status handovers to incoming Driller.
• Communicate with the Dispatcher and Supervisor regarding hazards encountered to provide sufficient information to the incoming Driller for the smooth running of Operations.
• Prepare and maintain daily drill report and logbook to outline shift activities and include information such as:
  • Meters drilled.
  • Consumable serial numbers.
  • Equipment defects.

Stakeholder Management and Engagement

• Liaise with the Drill Supervisor to maintain ongoing communication during all drilling activity.
• Collaborate closely with maintenance mechanics and the mine production team.
• Communicate with Dispatcher and other Drillers using communication devices such as two-way radios.
• Ensure own drilling work meets established statutory standards.

Health and Safety Management

• Follow all safety policies, procedures and legislation.
• Operate in a safe manner and take steps to prevent minimal wear and tear and / or damage to equipment.
• Work without risk or harm to others.
• Inspect work areas and ensure all areas comply with internal Newmont and external regulatory standards.
• Adhere strictly to internal Newmont drilling standards.
• Comply with safe drilling procedures.
• Maintain a strong focus of safety throughout all activities.
• Provide hands-on assistance during drilling activities to fellow colleagues to ensure that safe work practices are followed.
• Attend daily morning safety meetings.

Your Training, Skills & Experience Checklist:

Formal Qualification (including Professional Registrations):

• Requires a Senior High School Certificate.

Additional Knowledge:

• MINCOM Equipment Competency.
• License E (drill).
• Strong understanding of drill tool mechanical systems.
• General understanding of mining operations.
• General understanding of equipment controls and electronics.
• General knowledge in mid-to-heavy equipment operation.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 2 – 3 years’ drilling and d off-siding experience in a large open pit or quarry environment.

Technical Skills:

• Sound technical communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Sound concentration skills.
• Sound time management skills.
• Sound risk management skills.
• Sound troubleshooting skills.
• Sound planning, organizing and prioritizing skills.
• Sound analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sound information monitoring skills.
• Ability to communicate using signals.
• Ability to follow procedures (especially around hazardous materials and equipment).
• Ability to operate a two-way radio and follow instructions.
• Ability to visualize three-dimensional (2D / 3D) layouts.

Behavioural Attributes:

• Accuracy.
• Proactive.
• Results driven.
• Detail oriented
• Safety conscious.
• Team player.
• Self-motivated.
• Flexible.