Freelance Underground Development & Drill‑Blast Specialist (SME)

About the role

dss+ is seeking an experienced underground mining specialist to support a major underground expansion project in Latin America. As a freelance SME you will review, develop and improve operational procedures for underground development and drill‑blast activities, ensuring safety and performance align with industry best practices.

Key responsibilities

• Review and assess operational procedures covering the full underground development cycle, including drilling, charging, blasting, ventilation, scaling, ground support, mucking, haulage and service installation.
• Identify gaps between documented procedures and field execution, evaluate safety and operational risks, and recommend practical improvements.
• Conduct technical reviews, field observations, interviews and specialist workshops with operators, supervisors, engineers and contractors.
• Define operational hold points, authorization requirements and stop‑work criteria, and support the development of risk‑based procedures and standards.

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of underground mining experience and at least 5 years directly involved in underground mine development.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanized development, drilling equipment, charging systems, explosives, LHDs and underground haulage equipment.
• Proven ability to review, develop and implement operational procedures, SOPs and risk‑based controls.
• Experience in Latin American underground mining projects is advantageous.

Required skills

• Underground mine development
• Drill & blast operations
• Mechanized underground development techniques
• Drilling equipment and charging systems
• Explosives handling and blast clearance management
• LHD and underground haulage equipment operation
• Risk‑based operational procedure development
• Critical Control Management principles
• Technical writing in English