Profession explosives engineer

Explosives engineers design drilling patterns and determine the amount of explosives required. They organise and supervise controlled blasts and report and investigate misfires. They manage explosives magazines.

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Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

Knowledge

• Impact of geological factors on mining operations

  Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.

• Electricity

  Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

• Explosives

  Behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.

• Chemistry

  The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

• Geology

  Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

Skills

• Decide quantity of explosives required

  Calculate the exact amount of explosives needed, based on the amount of material that needs to be removed, budgetary constraints and noise concerns.

• Use a computer

  Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.

• Issue drilling instructions

  Prepare charge holes for drilling and issue instructions prior to and during drilling.

• Report outcome of blast

  After examining the blast area, report whether the blast was successful or not. Mention any relevant findings from the examination.

• Ensure compliance with safety legislation

  Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.

• Report misfires

  Report misfires to relevant parties, such as the mine shift coordinator, legal inspection personnel, and the explosives manufacturer.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Manage explosives in accordance with legislation

  Manage explosives in accordance with explosives law, including tracking and control of the magazine.

• Examine prospective blast area

  Thoroughly examine explosion areas; determine the appropriate amount of explosives required; ensure compliance to safety regulations.

• Sequence explosions

  Time specified sequences/patterns of explosions.

• Address problems critically

  Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB