Category: Engineering

https://jobs.riotinto.com/job/22467442/drill-blast-engineer/#gtm-jobdetail-desc

Location: Boron, CA

About The Role

The Drill and Blast Engineer is responsible for the design, planning, execution, and optimization of drilling and blasting operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective mineral extraction. Reporting to the Senior Engineer, this role involves close collaboration with technical and operational staff to develop and implement blast strategies that align with operational goals and regulatory standards. The D&B engineer will be responsible for mitigating risks, optimizing wall control, and ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective mining.

Key Responsibilities

• Design drill patterns and blast plans based on geological and geotechnical data.
• Select appropriate explosives and detonation systems for each project.
• Monitor drilling accuracy and adjust plans to minimize dilution and overbreak.
• Conduct post-blast analysis and maintain detailed documentation.
• Lead implementation of advanced blast design, analysis, and modeling tools (e.g., JKSimBlast, BlastIQ) to simulate wall response.
• Drive continuous improvement through fragmentation analysis, vibration monitoring, and blast audits.
• Align short-term blast execution with long-term pit design, ensuring wall angles and catch-bench configurations are preserved.
• Collaborates with geotechnical teams to:
• Incorporate prism, radar, and other monitoring data into blast designs.
• Adjust charge weights and initiation sequences near zones of known movement or historical instability.
• Support back-analysis of blast-induced wall deformation, improving predictive models and future designs.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to drill and blast crews.
• Maintain and analyze stope metrics (e.g., powder factor, recovery rates).
• Participate in safety meetings and conduct regular inspections of work areas.

What You’ll Bring (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Explosive Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in drill and blast engineering, preferably in open-pit mining.
• Proficiency in blast design software and 3D mine planning tools.
• Strong understanding of explosives, drilling equipment, and blasting techniques.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., MSHA, Explosives Act).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license
• Familiarity with Boron’s unique mineralogy and operational environment is a plus.

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Experience with borates or similar industrial minerals.
• Knowledge of vibration monitoring and environmental impact mitigation.
• Exposure to lean mining practices and operational efficiency programs.

Work Environment

Primarily field-based at the Boron mine site with some office-based planning.

Exposure to desert climate and rugged terrain.

PPE and safety protocols strictly enforced.

What we offer

Here is just a glimpse of our industry leading rewards package:

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees
• Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions
• Access to top tier family-friendly health and medical programs
• Excellent retirement plan
• A comprehensive leave policy that covers all moments that matter in life (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, short term sick leave, paid holidays)
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program

Where you will be working

This role is located in Boron; CA. Rio Tinto Borates is a global leader in industrial mineral supply and science. We provide 30 per cent of the world’s supply of refined borates; remarkable minerals that are essential to life and to modern living.

Also known for its 20 Mule Team Borax brand, Rio Tinto Borates traces its roots to California’s Death Valley, where borate deposits were discovered in 1872.

The twenty-mule teams Borax used to haul ore out of the remote desert live on as a symbol of our commitment to innovation. Rio Tinto Borates distinguishes itself through world-class safety, environmental and community practices, and a commitment to constant innovation and improvement.

https://coal.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Warrior_Met_Coal/job/Berry-AL/BC-Engineer—Mining_R2297

We are looking for a Mine Engineer for our Blue Creek mine in Berry, Alabama. We expect this person to be a role model for the “Warrior Way” and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.

Who We Are: 

All teammates are required to work in a manner that exemplifies the “Warrior Way” – Safer, Accountability, Follow Through, Excellence, Responsibility. Mining positions may be required to work various shifts, rotating schedules, weekends, and holidays as schedules. We provide a generous compensation and benefits package, including incentive plans, 401(k) match, paid time off and company paid medical, dental and vision care – all of which start the day you join the Blue Creek team! 

About the Role: 

As a Mine Engineer, you will need to have strong technical skills, leadership abilities, and teamwork spirit. We expect this role to be responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing the development and operation of mining projects at our Blue Creek mine. They will need to apply technical knowledge and skills to optimize the extraction of coal, while ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability.  You will also need to comply with all the relevant regulations, standards, and policies regarding mine safety, health, and environment.    

Responsibilities: 

• Assist in the development of a world class underground asset from current state through to full Longwall operation. 
• Produce mine designs, schedules and costing using available geotechnical data, to be used as the basis of accurate forecasts and budget models.  
• Update mine forecasts and produce weekly and monthly plans for production. Provide daily, weekly, and monthly updates on progress compared to budget / plans. 
• Closely monitor lead days for CM production compared to anticipated LW production. 
• Work with various groups at the mine site to develop capital plans for budgeting purposes and help manage capital projects that occur at the site. 
• Oversee environmental activities at site to ensure that regulations are followed, and that data is gathered for various required reports, such as GHG emissions. 
• Perform site audits to help ensure facility compliance related to insurance needs and asset protection, such as fire protection, and structural integrity. 
• Work with Geology group to assist in gathering data, such as channel samples, and to help oversee corehole drilling. 
• Work with mine management to consider mine infrastructure needs, such as pumps, electrical installations, fresh and discharge water systems. 
• The above duties and responsibilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.  

Who You Are:  

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mine Engineering and 1-3 years of experience, or a related field with equivalent experience. 
• Underground mine scheduling and design required. 
• Technical communication and presentation skills required. 
• Ventilation experience preferred. 
• Mining or heavy mineral industry experience required. 

• Project management skills are preferred. 
• Strong communication and team fostering skills required. 
• Plans to continue in engineering progression with goal to pass FE and eventually PE exam. 

Environment and Safety: 

• Improve on safety standards by holding safety meetings, conducting safety interactions, and taking corrective action where required. 
• Ensure adherence to State, Federal and Company workplace policies and standard work procedures for risk identification, risk assessment and risk control. 
• Maintain a high level of Safety performance through effective communication, monitoring, and revision of standard work procedures. 
• Identify and report safety risks, accidents, incidents, injuries, and property damage at the workplace. 
• Attend and participate on all scheduled safety meetings and training. 
• Investigate accidents and near misses with a view toward positive action, through training, equipment set-up or equipment repair and report on findings and conclusions. 
• Maintain environmental awareness amongst the workforce by holding meetings and involving the environmental department in related subjects. 
• Ensure adherence to environmental policy, work standards, management plans and regulatory obligations and requirements. 
• Integrate environmental policies, programs, and practices into all activities of the organization. 

Physical Requirements – Underground: 

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time on uneven, rocky surfaces. 
• Must be able to sit for up to 4 hours to operate equipment or vehicles. 
• Must be able to walk for up to 4 hours at a time. 
• Will need to walk through different sections of the mine with different amounts of clearance and headroom. 

• Walking ability will be based on SCSR emergency evacuation plan required and approved by MSHA. 
• Must be able to wear the required protective footwear, hearing and eye protection, and other personal protective equipment as required by Company and MSHA. 
• Must be able to bend or stoop for a full work period because of mine height. 
• Must be able to climb up and down stairs/steps and climb on and off equipment and ladders. 
• Must be able to do repetitive hand and wrist motions (push, pull, twist, handle), and have quick reflex movements of the arms and legs as well as good hand to eye coordination. 
• Must be able to lift 25 to 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift items weighing up to 75 pounds. 
• Must be able to work in extreme conditions, including but not limited to changing weather conditions, dust, mud, varying levels of noise from low to high decibels, varying degrees of light and dark, in and around artificial light and in a confined work area.