Miner Assistant (Underground)

You'll lead a crew safely through drilling, blasting and cleaning at the chrome and manganese mine near Bethlehem. Bring a calm head on busy days and you'll be fine.

Home base is a chrome and manganese mine on the Bethlehem side of Free State. You'll start with a short induction before working on your own.

• Report misfires straight away and handle them strictly by the procedure
• Charge up holes and connect initiation systems for the blast
• Stop work when a condition is unsafe, using your right to withdraw
• Mark off drilling holes to the standard pattern and check the drilling
• Do the early entry examination and make the workplace safe before the crew enters
• Bar down loose rock and install support to the section's support standard
• Test for flammable gas and check ventilation before and after blasting

• Grade 12 or equivalent, plus the MQA-accredited miner training
• At least 3 years underground, with at least 1 as a certificated miner
• Able to lead a crew of 8 to 20 people in a language they understand
• No serious safety transgressions in your record
• Valid blasting certificate issued under the Mine Health and Safety Act
• Sound knowledge of your commodity's mining method and support standards

• Housing or living-out allowance
• Production bonus based on metres or square metres achieved
• Pension fund with employer contributions
• Underground allowance for every shift below surface

• List each mine, commodity and mining method on your CV, like "conventional stoping, platinum, 4 years".
• Mines check your safety record with previous employers. Mention any safety awards or zero-harm periods your crew achieved.