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Drill and Blast Engineer_Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the responsibilities and procedures for the Drill and Blast Engineer at Elk Gold Mine in British Columbia, focusing on safe and efficient gold ore extraction. Key tasks include developing drill and blast plans, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and continuous improvement through monitoring and feedback. The SOP emphasizes cross-departmental collaboration, documentation, and emergency response planning, with an effective date of June 14, 2024.

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Pooyan Karami
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65 views5 pages

Drill and Blast Engineer_Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the responsibilities and procedures for the Drill and Blast Engineer at Elk Gold Mine in British Columbia, focusing on safe and efficient gold ore extraction. Key tasks include developing drill and blast plans, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and continuous improvement through monitoring and feedback. The SOP emphasizes cross-departmental collaboration, documentation, and emergency response planning, with an effective date of June 14, 2024.

Uploaded by

Pooyan Karami
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for

Drill and Blast Engineer


Role:
Drill and Blast Engineer
Location: Elk Gold Mine, British Columbia, Canada
Purpose: To design, plan, and oversee drilling and blasting operations to ensure safe, efficient,
and cost-effective extraction of gold ore while complying with all regulatory requirements.

1. Responsibilities

 Develop detailed drill and blast plans.


 Coordinate with geology, operations, and engineering departments.
 Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
 Optimize drilling and blasting processes to improve fragmentation and reduce costs.
 Monitor and report on drilling and blasting activities and adjust plans as necessary.
 Provide technical support and training to drill and blast crews.

2. Procedures

A. Planning and Design

Data Collection:

 Gather geological data, including rock properties and ore body characteristics, from the
geology department.
 Collect historical drilling and blasting performance data.
 Review equipment capabilities and availability from the operations team.

Software and Tools:

 Use specialized software (Vulcan, Minesight) for designing and optimizing drill and blast
plans.
 Ensure all software and tools are updated and properly configured.

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Blast Design:

 Develop blast designs, including hole spacing, burden, depth, and pattern layout.
 Calculate the amount and type of explosives required for each blast.
 Design initiation sequences to optimize fragmentation and minimize ground vibration.

B. Implementation of Drill and Blast Plans

Drill Plan Development:

 Create detailed drill plans, specifying drill hole locations, depths, and orientations.
 Coordinate with drill operators to ensure the accuracy of drilling.

Blast Plan Development:

 Develop comprehensive blast plans, including loading, stemming, and initiation


procedures.
 Ensure blast plans are compliant with safety regulations and best practices.

C. Coordination and Communication

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

 Regularly communicate with the operations team to ensure understanding and feasibility
of drill and blast plans.
 Work closely with the geology team to incorporate updated geological information into
blast designs.
 Coordinate with the Short-Term and Long-Term Planning Engineers to align drill and
blast activities with overall mine plans.

Operational Support:

 Provide technical support to drill and blast crews during the execution of plans.
 Adjust plans based on real-time feedback and operational conditions.
 Attend daily and weekly operations meetings to discuss progress and issues.

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D. Monitoring and Reporting

Plan Execution:

 Monitor the execution of drill and blast plans through regular site visits and inspections.
 Track performance against plan targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Reporting:

 Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports on drill and blast performance.
 Highlight deviations, issues, and corrective actions.
 Update the mine management team and other stakeholders on progress and challenges.

E. Safety and Environmental Compliance

Safety Standards:

 Ensure all drill and blast activities incorporate safety protocols and risk assessments.
 Conduct safety briefings and participate in safety audits.

Environmental Regulations:

 Integrate environmental management plans and regulations into drill and blast planning.
 Monitor environmental impacts of drilling and blasting activities and recommend
mitigation measures.

F. Continuous Improvement

Review and Feedback:

 Regularly review drill and blast plans and outcomes to identify areas for improvement.
 Seek feedback from drill and blast crews and incorporate lessons learned.

Professional Development:

 Stay updated with industry best practices, technological advancements, and regulatory
changes.
 Participate in training programs, workshops, and conferences.

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G. Documentation and Record Keeping

Maintain Records:

 Keep detailed records of all drill and blast plans, including assumptions, data sources, and
design parameters.
 Ensure documentation is organized and accessible for future reference and audits.

Compliance Documentation:

 Maintain records demonstrating compliance with safety, environmental, and legal


standards.
 Prepare documentation for internal and external audits and inspections.

H. Emergency Response

Emergency Planning:

 Develop contingency plans for potential emergencies, including misfires, equipment


failure, and environmental incidents.
 Coordinate with the HSE Manager to integrate emergency response plans into drill and
blast operations.

Response and Recovery:

 Support the implementation of emergency response and recovery plans.


 Assist in the evaluation and adjustment of drill and blast plans post-incident.

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Review and Approval

Approval:

 This SOP must be reviewed and approved by the Chief Engineer and General Manager.

Review Cycle:

 The SOP should be reviewed annually or as needed based on operational changes or


regulatory updates.

Effective Date:

 June 14, 2024

Version:

 Version 1.0

This SOP ensures that the Drill and Blast Engineer’s activities are structured, efficient, and
aligned with the mine's operational goals and regulatory requirements.

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