Freelance Consultant, SME – Underground Development & Drill & Blast Specialist, Metals & Mining

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Peru, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Analyze operational protocols related to the underground mining development cycle, including aspects such as drilling, charging, blasting, ventilation, scaling, ground support, mucking, haulage, and the installation of mine services.

• Evaluate the consistency between documented protocols, field performance, and industry best practices.

• Assess operational and safety risks linked to underground development operations.

• Identify hazards, plausible scenarios, control deficiencies, and Critical Controls.

• Review protocols from both operational and risk management viewpoints.

• Assist in the creation and improvement of risk-focused operational procedures and standards.

• Specify operational hold points, authorization prerequisites, and stop-work criteria as necessary.

• Conduct technical assessments, field inspections, interviews, and specialized workshops.

• Collaborate with operators, supervisors, engineers, and contractors to confirm the effectiveness of procedures.

• Formulate recommendations aimed at enhancing operational performance and reinforcing risk management controls.

• Utilize underground mining expertise to bolster risk management practices and promote safer, more efficient operations.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 10 years of experience in underground mining operations.

• A minimum of 5 years directly involved in underground mine development tasks.

• Practical experience with mechanized underground development.

• Hands-on knowledge of drilling machinery, charging systems, explosives, LHDs, and underground haulage equipment.

• Experience overseeing or managing underground development contractors.

• Background in reviewing, creating, implementing, or enhancing operational procedures and SOPs.

• Experience supporting underground mine construction, expansion, Operational Readiness, or ramp-up initiatives.

• Familiarity with implementing risk-based operational procedures and Critical Control Management principles.

• Experience in Latin American underground mining operations is a plus.

• Comprehensive understanding of underground mine development cycles and sequencing.

• Robust expertise in development drilling, charging, blasting, and explosives management.

• Knowledge of blast clearance protocols, exclusion zones, and post-blast re-entry criteria.

• Understanding of mucking, haulage, ground support interfaces, and underground services installation.

• Capability to identify discrepancies between documented procedures and actual operational practices.

• Ability to recognize hazards, plausible scenarios, and Critical Controls.

• Skill in translating operational experience into practical and executable procedures.

• Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and workshop leadership abilities.

• Capacity to establish operational hold points, authorization prerequisites, and stop-work criteria.

• Excellent technical writing skills in English.

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering.

• Preferred: Professional engineering registration or equivalent.

• Additional qualifications in underground mining or blasting are advantageous.

• Advanced proficiency in English is required.

🏝️ Benefits

• A values-driven organization where your work contributes to saving lives, enhancing performance, and promoting sustainability.

• An inclusive and collaborative workplace environment.

• A culture that respects diverse perspectives.

• An opportunity to build trusted expertise by tackling complex operational challenges.

• Collaborate with mining and risk management experts from around the world.

• A chance to engage in projects that enhance operational performance, strengthen critical controls, and support safer work environments.