Drill & Blast Lead

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!

Job Title: Drill and Blast Lead

Reporting to the Superintendent, Mining, the Drill and Blast Lead responsible for the overall strategic planning, technical oversight, execution, and continuous improvement of all drilling and blasting activities in an open-pit mine. This role provides leadership to drill and blast supervision and technical teams, ensures regulatory compliance, optimizes blast performance and costs, and aligns drill and blast outcomes with mine production, geotechnical, and downstream processing requirements. The Lead is accountable for blast quality, dilution control, fragmentation, wall stability, and continuous improvement of drill and blast practices.

Responsibilities (including But Not Limited To) Leadership, Safety & Governance

- Provide visible leadership and accountability for drill and blast safety performance

- Ensure full compliance with explosives legislation, permits, and site safety management systems

- Develop and maintain drill and blast SOPs, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), and critical risk controls

- Lead investigations into blasting incidents, misfires, and high-potential events

- Develop competency frameworks and training plans to ensure workforce capability and compliance

Technical Strategy, Planning & Optimization

- Develop and oversee short- and medium-term drill and blast strategies aligned with the mine plan

- Set standards for drill accuracy, blast design, fragmentation, and wall control

- Review and approve blast designs, drilling programs, and sequencing strategies

- Integrate geotechnical, geological, and grade-control inputs into blast planning

- Analyze blast results and drilling performance to drive continuous improvement

- Optimize powder factor, fragmentation, vibration, and cost per tonne

- Support implementation of advanced technologies including electronic detonators, GPS drilling, and data analytics

Performance, Budgeting & Reporting

- Develop and manage drill and blast budgets and forecasts

- Track, analyze, and report KPIs such as meters drilled, explosive consumption, cost per tonne, and blast performance

- Identify cost-reduction and efficiency opportunities without compromising safety or operational performance

- Support capital planning for drills, blasting equipment, and technology upgrades

Additional Duties

- Perform all other duties as reasonably assigned

The Ideal Candidate

Education / Qualifications

- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record suitable for site vehicle use - Valid British Columbia Blasting Ticket

Experience / Skills

- 10+ years of experience in drill & blast operations in open-pit, hard-rock mining - 5+ years in a senior leadership or superintendent-level role

- Strong working knowledge of:

- DTH, rotary, and/or top-hammer drilling

- Electronic and non-electronic initiation systems

- Explosive products and blasting software

- Proven leadership in safety, production, and cost control

- Experience with RC drilling

- Ability to work 12‑hour shifts, rotations (days/nights), weekends, holidays, and overtime as required

- Capable of working in remote, rugged, and variable weather conditions, including cold, heat, precipitation, and reduced visibility

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 hourly rate for this position is CAD $140,000-$160,000, in line with the competitive job market for such roles carried out in British Columbia. Salary ranges are guidelines and any job offer received by a candidate will be determined on a number of factors such as relevant education, training, and/or experience.

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 our projects are located.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.