Drill & Blast Specialist

Skeena Gold + Silver Limited is a Canadian mining company with a portfolio of exploration and development projects located in northwest British Columbia, Canada. Our current focus is on the revitalization of the high-grade, past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine. Skeena is committed to leading the industry in reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion and we work in close collaboration with our Indigenous partners, leveraging their traditional knowledge and respect for the land.

As a Skeena employee, you will become part of a dynamic, innovative, and results-driven work environment. Together, alongside colleagues of diverse backgrounds and experience you will help us operate safely, protect the environment, positively contribute to our local communities and build a state of the art mine in Canada. Come join our team to be a part of this amazing opportunity!

Position Title: Drill & Blast Specialist

Reporting directly to the Mine Manager, the Drill & Blast Specialist supports the safe and efficient execution of drilling and blasting activities at the Eskay Creek open-pit mine. The role is responsible for coordinating drill and blast planning, monitoring drilling and blasting performance, supporting contractor activities, and optimizing blast outcomes to ensure alignment with the mine plan, production targets, and geotechnical requirements.

Working closely with Mining Operations, Technical Services, Geology, Survey, Mobile Maintenance, and drilling and explosives contractors, the Specialist supports regulatory compliance, effective explosives management, and continuous improvement in drilling accuracy, fragmentation, wall control, and cost performance. The role also contributes to operational planning, performance analysis, and the implementation of practices that improve productivity while maintaining high standards of safety and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Safety, Compliance & Leadership

• Promote safe drilling and blasting practices and demonstrate accountability for health and safety performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable explosives legislation, permits, and site safety management systems.
• Develop and maintain drill and blast standard operating procedures (SOPs), job hazard analyses (JHAs), and critical risk controls.
• Participate in investigations into blasting incidents, misfires, and high-potential events, and support the implementation of corrective actions.
• Support competency development and training for drill and blast activities.

Drill & Blast Planning and Optimization

• Support the development and execution of short- and medium-term drill and blast plans aligned with the mine plan and production schedule.
• Apply established standards for drilling accuracy, blast design, fragmentation, and wall control.
• Evaluate and optimize powder factor, fragmentation, vibration, and cost per tonne.
• Incorporate geotechnical, geological, and grade-control information into drill and blast planning.
• Review blast results and drilling performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support the implementation of technologies such as electronic detonators, GPS-enabled drilling systems, and data analytics.
• Review drill and blast designs, drilling programs, and sequencing plans in accordance with site procedures and approval requirements.

Cost Control & Performance Reporting

• Support the development and monitoring of drill and blast budgets and forecasts.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), including metres drilled, explosive consumption, cost per tonne, drilling accuracy, and blast performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce costs without compromising safety or operational performance.
• Support capital planning for drilling equipment, blasting systems, and technology improvements.

Additional Responsibilities

• All other duties as reasonably assigned

The Ideal Candidate

Education / Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in drill and blast operations within open-pit, hard-rock mining.
• Valid British Columbia Blasting Ticket.

Experience / Skills

• Strong technical knowledge of drilling methods, including down-the-hole (DTH), rotary, and/or top-hammer drilling.
• Experience with electronic and non-electronic initiation systems, explosive products, and drill and blast design software.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, with proven experience supporting production performance, cost control, and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and with contractors.
• Experience with reverse circulation (RC) drilling is considered an asset.

Work Location & Conditions

This is a site-based camp job at Eskay Creek Mine site. This position involves working at a remote mine site on a 15 days on/13 days off rotation.

The Eskay Creek Revitalization Project is located within the Coast Mountains of Northwestern British Columbia and Tahltan Territory. Ground transportation will be provided from local communities to the Eskay Creek Site facilities. For those applicants located elsewhere in western Canada, flight transportation from major urban centers will be provided to the Terrace or Smithers airports, from which shuttles will provide transportation to the Eskay Creek Camp facilities. Travel time and expenses are subject to Skeena’s Travel Policy.

There will be exposure to extreme temperatures in all seasons including working outdoors in snow, mud, ice, and water conditions, walking to and from different locations on uneven ground, prolonged periods of standing and physically handling/lifting/moving heavy objects.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is CA$110 000 - CA$140 000. Individual compensation will be determined based on factors including relevant education, training, experience, skills, qualifications, and job responsibilities. Skeena is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices and to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate.

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Priority hiring consideration will be given to Indigenous Nations members who reside within the territories where our projects are located.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.