Open Pit Blaster

Job summary

Safely prepare, load, secure, and initiate open-pit production blasts in accordance with approved plans, site procedures, and regulatory requirements. Coordinate blast-area clearance, inspections, misfire management, explosive accountability, and communication with mine operations and technical teams.

Job details

Discovery is an Americas-focused precious metals company with a diversified portfolio. Our Mission is to deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders by operating in a safe and responsible manner and having a positive impact on local communities. Located in and around the City of Timmins, Ontario, Porcupine has two underground and one open pit mines. A continuous operation for over 100 years that provides a great work-life balance. Employees from diverse backgrounds are empowered through engagement, involvement, and growth opportunities in the workplace. Location:Dome Schedule:5x5x4 The Position The Blaster is responsible for safely preparing, loading, connecting, securing, and initiating production blasts within the open pit. The position works closely with Mine Operations, Drill & Blast, Technical Services, and other operational personnel to ensure blasting activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved blast designs, site procedures, regulatory requirements, and production schedules. The Blaster plays a critical role in achieving appropriate fragmentation and muck pile conditions while protecting employees, equipment, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment. Safety & Sustainability Expectations The Blaster is expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to safe production and has the authority and responsibility to stop work when conditions are unsafe or inconsistent with the approved blasting plan. The incumbent must comply with all company policies, site standards, critical controls, blasting procedures, explosive-management requirements, and applicable occupational health and safety legislation. Particular Emphasis Is Placed On Explosive security and accountability Blast-area access control Positive blast-area clearance Correct loading and initiation practices Misfire prevention and management Communication and authorization prior to firing Protection of people, equipment, and infrastructure Accurate blasting records and documentation Key Responsibilities Safely handle, transport, load, and use explosives and blasting accessories. Review blast plans, drill patterns, loading requirements, and initiation sequences prior to blasting. Load blast holes and install appropriate explosives, detonators, boosters, and initiation systems. Identify and communicate deviations from the blast plan, including blocked or damaged holes, water conditions, and incorrect hole depths. Establish and maintain blast exclusion zones and ensure the area is cleared and secured prior to firing. Coordinate blast clearance and communication with supervisors, equipment operators, and other affected personnel. Conduct pre- and post-blast inspections and address potential misfires in accordance with established procedures. Maintain accurate explosive inventories, blast records, and required documentation. Inspect blasting equipment and report unsafe conditions or equipment deficiencies. Work closely with Drill & Blast, Technical Services, and Mine Operations to support safe and effective blast performance. Participate in safety meetings, workplace inspections, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiative Skills And Qualifications High School Diploma or equivalent Valid driver's licence. Valid blasting certification/licence applicable to open-pit or surface mining operations in Ontario Surface Miner Common Core or equivalent applicable training. Demonstrated knowledge of explosives, initiation systems, blast loading practices, and blast-area controls. Previous experience performing blasting activities in a surface mining, quarrying, or similar heavy industrial environment. Strong understanding of occupational health and safety requirements related to explosives and blasting. Ability to read and interpret blast plans, drill patterns, procedures, and related technical information. Ability to safely operate light vehicles and blasting-related equipment as required. Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions. Ability to successfully complete all company-required training and site-specific competency requirements. Previous experience in a large-scale open-pit mining operation. Experience with electronic initiation systems and modern blast-control technologies. Explosive Handling Modules Experience working with bulk explosive delivery/loading equipment. Familiarity with drill-and-blast optimization and blast performance evaluation. Previous experience in a unionized mining environment. Workplace Conditions Days and Nights 12 hour shifts Additional Information Competitive total compensation package including: Health, Dental, Life, AD&D, Disability, Healthcare and Wellness Spending Accounts, Virtual Care and Employee and Family Assistance Program; Company contributions and matching into a Defined Contribution Pension Plan; and Annual total compensation of CAD$102,946 to CAD$127,169 (including annual bonus eligibility). This posting is for an existing vacancy at Discovery Silver. We thank all candidates in advance. Please note, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Discovery Silver welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), aboriginal (Indigenous) persons and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. Discovery is committed to a positive, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please note that we use artificial intelligence tools to screen applications and assess qualifications and selected candidates will be contacted by a human for an interview.

What you’ll do

Safely prepare, load, secure, and initiate open-pit production blasts in accordance with approved plans, site procedures, and regulatory requirements. Coordinate blast-area clearance, inspections, misfire management, explosive accountability, and communication with mine operations and technical teams.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's licence, applicable Ontario surface blasting certification, and Surface Miner Common Core or equivalent training. Candidates should have blasting experience and knowledge of explosives, initiation systems, blast plans, safety requirements, and blast-area controls; open-pit mining and electronic initiation experience are advantageous.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Healthcare and Wellness Spending Accounts
• Virtual Care
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan
• Annual Bonus Eligibility

Listed skills

• Continuous Improvement · Preferred
• Control · Preferred
• Production · Preferred
• Loading · Preferred
• Technical · Preferred
• procedures. · Preferred
• Health · Preferred
• safety · Preferred
• management · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• positive · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Explosives Handling
• Blast Loading
• Blast Plan Interpretation
• Initiation Systems
• Blast-Area Access Control
• Misfire Prevention and Management
• Explosive Inventory Management
• Blast Inspections
• Blast Recordkeeping
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Risk Assessment
• Blast Performance Evaluation
• Bulk Explosive Loading Equipment
• Electronic Initiation Systems
• Light Vehicle Operation

Job areas

• Trades
• Security & Safety
• Engineering

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