Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Rotary Blast Hole Drill & Equipment Operator

🎯 Role Definition

The Rotary Blast Hole Drill & Equipment Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining large rotary drill rigs and associated heavy equipment to deliver accurate blast hole patterns and production drilling on open-pit and surface mining operations. This role requires strong rig operation skills, a deep commitment to safety and environmental compliance, effective communication with drill and blast engineers, and the ability to troubleshoot mechanical and hydraulic issues to meet daily meterage and blasting schedules. The operator plays a central role in optimizing fragmentation, increasing drilling efficiency, and supporting safe, compliant blasting operations that align with mine plans and production targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Entry-level heavy equipment operator (e.g., excavator, loader)
Apprentice drilling assistant or drill helper
Military or industrial heavy-vehicle operator with certifications

Advancement To:

Senior Drill Operator / Lead Drill Operator
Drill Supervisor or Shift Supervisor (Drilling & Blasting)
Drill & Blast Coordinator or Production Foreman

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician (Hydraulics/Mechanical)
Geotechnical or Survey Assistant
Blaster’s Assistant / Blast Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate rotary blast-hole drill rigs (hydraulic rotary drills, large-diameter rotary rigs) to drill accurate, production-level blast holes to specified depths, diameters and angles in accordance with drill plans and blast designs.
Execute daily drill plans and production targets by coordinating with shift supervisors, drill planners and blast technicians to ensure planned meterage and quality are achieved.
Accurately set up and confirm hole collars, azimuth, inclination and depth using onboard drill instrumentation, digital gyro systems, and survey markers to meet design tolerances.
Perform pre-shift and post-shift rig inspections, including checks on lubrication, hydraulic systems, downhole tools, winches, mast integrity, and safety interlocks to identify and report defects.
Maintain drill rig health through routine servicing, filter changes, grease points, and monitoring fluid levels; arrange for or perform basic mechanical and hydraulic repairs to minimize downtime.
Monitor and adjust feed pressure, rotary torque, bit selection and drilling parameters to optimize penetration rates, reduce bit wear, and avoid hole deviation in varying ground conditions.
Safely handle and change drilling consumables (bits, rods, reamers, stabilizers) and ensure proper storage, inventory control and disposal of worn components.
Operate associated equipment on site such as drill jumbos, swarf and cuttings handling systems, rod loaders, skid steers and support vehicles as required to maintain drill cycle efficiency.
Collaborate with blasting engineers and geotechnical personnel to provide feedback on ground conditions, hole alignment, chip samples and rock competency for blast design optimization.
Comply with all site safety rules, isolation and lock-out procedures, confined space entry protocols, and provide input to job safety analyses (JSAs) and pre-start safety meetings.
Ensure traffic management and exclusion zones are in place during drilling operations, and use radios and signaling to coordinate movements with haulage and service crews.
Record daily drilling activities, meterage drilled, bit life, consumable usage and any non-conformances using electronic logging systems or paper forms as required by site processes.
Assist with charging and stemming processes under direct supervision of qualified blasting personnel where licensed, ensuring strict adherence to explosives handling procedures and chain-of-custody.
Implement environmental controls such as dust suppression, cuttings containment and spill prevention measures to minimize environmental footprint of drilling operations.
Train, mentor and provide on-the-job guidance to junior drill hands and new operators, demonstrating safe operating techniques, equipment care and best practices.
Participate in root cause analyses and downtime investigations following mechanical failures or production shortfalls and recommend improvements to equipment or processes.
Manage rig consumable and spare parts requisitions, justify parts usage, and collaborate with maintenance planners to schedule planned maintenance and major repairs.
Use onboard GPS, telemetry and drill monitoring systems to capture performance data; contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting parameter changes and process upgrades.
Follow statutory and site-specific explosives licensing, transport and storage regulations, and ensure all documentation and permits are current and available for inspection.
Respond to emergency situations including fires, mechanical failures or medical incidents by following site emergency response plans, notifying supervisors and participating in emergency drills.
Support pre-commissioning and decommissioning of drill rigs during mobilization/demobilization, ensuring safe rig moves, roadworthiness checks and proper securing for transit.
Maintain high standards of housekeeping on and around the rig, managing waste, securing loose items and ensuring walkways and work platforms are free of trip hazards.
Communicate effectively across multi-disciplinary teams, providing timely updates to supervisors, engineers and planners regarding progress, safety concerns and unexpected ground conditions.

Secondary Functions

Contribute to daily production meetings and offer practical suggestions to improve cycle times and reduce non-productive time (NPT).
Provide drilling data and observations to geotechnical teams for logging and sampling programs as requested.
Assist site training departments by participating in competency assessments, toolbox talks and safety coaching sessions.
Support minor fabrication tasks, rig modifications and the installation of add-on safety equipment as directed by maintenance teams.
Participate in site continuous improvement projects focusing on cost reduction, equipment reliability and drilling accuracy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven experience operating hydraulic rotary blast-hole drill rigs (e.g., Atlas Copco, Sandvik, Epiroc/Atlas Copco, Caterpillar drill attachments).
Strong knowledge of drill rig controls, torque/feed settings, and down-the-hole (DTH) and rotary-percussion drilling techniques.
Competence with borehole surveying and drill alignment tools (gyro/laser/inclinometer/GPS measurement systems).
Ability to interpret drill plans, blast hole layouts, bench and bench face profiles and basic geotechnical logs.
Mechanical aptitude for basic hydraulic and mechanical troubleshooting, including diagnosing leaks, seals, pumps and valve faults.
Experience with rig maintenance schedules, lubrication systems, service documentation and basic welding or rig fabrication knowledge.
Familiarity with explosives safety, transport and handling regulations (where applicable) and interface with licensed blasters.
Proficiency in electronic drill logging systems, telemetry platforms and mobile data entry for daily reports.
Knowledge of dust control, cuttings management and environmental mitigation practices relevant to drilling operations.
Valid heavy equipment operator licenses and site-required certifications (e.g., MSHA, Site Induction, Working at Heights, Confined Space, First Aid, CPCS/CCO or equivalent).

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with the ability to lead by example and hold others accountable to safe work practices.
Effective communication skills to coordinate with supervisors, engineers and other trades on dynamic mine sites.
Problem-solving and situational judgement to prioritize repairs and make operational adjustments under pressure.
Team player attitude, mentoring capability and willingness to train entry-level crew members.
Adaptability to operate in remote locations, variable shift patterns and challenging environmental conditions.
Time-management and organizational skills to track consumables, complete logs and meet production targets.
Attention to detail for recording drilling data and adhering to strict blasting and environmental procedures.
Resilience and physical stamina to perform hands-on work and long shifts in outdoor, heavy-industry settings.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (required). Trade school or vocational qualifications preferred.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or diploma in Heavy Equipment Operation, Mining Engineering Technology, or equivalent trade certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mining Technology
Heavy Equipment Operation
Mechanical or Hydraulic Trade Apprenticeship
Geotechnical or Geological Technician programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8+ years of experience operating large rotary blast hole drill rigs or similar heavy drilling equipment in open-pit mining or quarry operations.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive experience on production rotary blast hole rigs with demonstrated ability to meet and improve meterage targets and rig reliability.
Proven track record of working within formal drill & blast teams and experience with site-level permitting, explosives logistics, and documentation.