Expatriate - Drill & Blast Superintendent (Mali)

The Company

B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, a mine under construction in northern Canada and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland. B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 860,000 and 940,000 ounces in 2024.

Position

Drill & Blast Superintendent, Mali

Introduction

The Drill & Blast Superintendent is accountable for providing direct output support to the open pit operations through the safe and efficient coordination of all drill and blast activities required to meet the mine production schedule.

The Fekola Gold Project total annual open pit production is circa 95 million tonnes, using a mixed fleet of mining equipment ranging from CAT6040 face shovels, HitachiEX2600 backhoes through to smaller 150t excavators utilised in the satellite pits. The drill fleet is made up of a combination of CAT MD6240/6250 DTH rigs, Epiroc DM30 & D65 rigs and Pantera DP1500 top hammer units. Blasting is undertaken using emulsion and utilises both non-electronic and electronic initiation methods.

Location and Reporting Structure

Reporting to the Mining Manager, this position will be a fly in – fly out rotation, based at the Fekola Gold Project in Mali.

Responsibilities

• Improve and maintain a high standard of safety and compliance with the company procedures and relevant legislation;
• Ensure delivery of quality drilled meters within planned targets;
• Ensure sufficient supply of well-fragmented blasted stocks to the load and haul operations;
• Ensure legal compliance concerning the handling, transportation, and use of explosives and all explosive accessories;
• Support and advise the D&B Engineers in best practice blast designs factoring in ground conditions, timing, blast movement, ore control and geotechnical aspects;
• Support the mine planning process to ensure accuracy of designs and realistic implementation;
• Manage weekly and monthly management reports;
• Manage tracking for drill and blast consumables to ensure effective use and forward planning to prevent shortages;
• Manage the day-to-day explosives supply contract;
• Manage the blasting crews, ensuring that all QA/QC is completed and that charging up complies with design;
• Manage the blast hole drilling operations, ensuring that the designs are complied with and QA/QC are done on the drilling, machine manning and development;
• Manage the rebuild/bit sharpening facility;
• Provide input to the planning of pit operation budgets;
• Assure performance review for all staff members, establish work plans and progress assessments;
• Assist each staff member in compiling a Personal Development Plan [PDP] and ensure on-the-job coaching or other appropriate training interventions; and
• Other duties as set out by the Company.

Competencies and Requirements

• 6+ years in a D&B leadership role (expat experience would be viewed positively).
• Opencast mining blasting certificate.
• Large open cut hard rock mine experience essential.
• Ability to pass on your experience and mentor the national workforce in Mali is essential.
• Strong organisational and forward planning skills.
• Possess a positive attitude and work well in a team environment on a remote site.
• Previous experience operating DTH and top hammer blast hole rigs would be considered beneficial in terms of providing operational guidance in this area.
• Sound knowledge of mining industry practices, regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Sound computer skills and knowledge of applicable software.
• Code B driver’s license.

Compensation 

B2Gold offers a competitive compensation package, including salary commensurate with experience, knowledge and skills, plus a comprehensive benefit package for employees and their eligible dependents.

Other

B2Gold requires employees to be fully vaccinated (and maintain fully vaccinated status), subject to applicable human-rights related exemptions and availability in candidate's home country.

B2Gold prioritizes local employment, supports empowerment initiatives and continuously works towards a people profile that matches the demographics of the respective national settings in which we operate, while appreciating our inclusive culture that attracts talent from around the world. As an equal opportunity employer, B2Gold values diversity and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest in B2Gold Corp.; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Interested candidates are kindly requested not to contact the hiring manager directly. Please follow the application process and apply directly on B2Gold's Careers site, which helps streamline the application process and ensures designated channels for communication. We appreciate your cooperation.