Position Description

The Charge Up Trainer – Expert is responsible for delivering high-quality training, coaching, and competency assessments for underground charge-up personnel. This role ensures that all charge-up activities, including explosive handling, blasting practices, and related safety procedures, are performed in full compliance with regulatory requirements, site standards, and industry best practices.

The Trainer plays a key role in building crew capability, reducing operational risk, and supporting continuous improvement within the drill & blast function.

Join our exceptional team and embody Barrick’s core values as you work with us. We are in search of individuals who can champion Barrick’s DNA by:

• Communicating Honestly, Transparently, and Acting with Integrity
• Exhibiting a Results-Driven approach
• Delivering solutions that are Fit for Purpose
• Dedicating themselves to Building a Sustainable Legacy
• Taking Responsibility and being Accountable
• Committing to Zero Harm
• Cultivating strong and meaningful Partnerships

If you’re ready to contribute to our world-class team while embracing these values, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our diverse workforce.

Reporting to: Underground Mine Foreman

Duration: Fixed Term

Responsibilities:

Training & Competency Development

• Deliver theoretical and practical training for all charge-up tasks, including:
  • Explosives storage, transportation, and handling
  • Charging development headings, production rings, and stope preparations
  • Priming, loading, stemming, and tying in blast patterns
  • Misfire management and emergency response
  • Use of electronic, non-electric, and detonator-based firing systems
• Assess and verify operator competencies against site-based or national standards.
• Develop training materials, manuals, standard work procedures, and assessment tools.
• Provide one-on-one coaching for new and existing charge-up operators.
• Identify skills gaps and create targeted training plans to build workforce capability.

Safety Leadership & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all training incorporates critical control management.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Mine safety legislation
  • Explosives regulations
  • Company policies and procedures
• Conduct and document field observations, task audits, and safe work verifications.
• Participate in incident investigations related to blasting, explosives, or misfires and implement corrective actions.

Operational Support

• Work closely with the Charge Up Supervisor and Drill & Blast Engineers to ensure training aligns with operational needs.
• Provide expert input into blast design execution, charging techniques, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and competency matrices using the site’s learning management systems.
• Assist in onboarding new charge-up personnel and ensuring they meet site entry and explosives qualification requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate training outcomes and implement improvements to training delivery and materials.
• Introduce new technologies, equipment, and industry methods to advance operational efficiency and safety.
• Contribute to the refinement of SOPs, SWPs, and critical control verifications related to explosives and blasting.

Qualification Requirements:

• Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (or equivalent VET/industry training qualification).
• Experience with modern blasting technologies (e.g., i-kon, EBS, smart blasting systems).

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5–10 years underground charge-up experience, preferably in high-production mining
• Valid Shotfirer / Blaster License or equivalent explosives competency.
• Demonstrated expertise in development and production charging, blast tie-ins, and electronic detonator systems.
• Proven experience training or mentoring underground charge-up personnel.
• Strong understanding of relevant underground mining legislation and explosives regulations.
• High level of hazard awareness and risk management capability in an underground environment.
• Experience using learning management systems (LMS) for training and recordkeeping.
• Exposure to mine emergency response or incident investigation.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong communication and coaching skills.
• High personal safety standards and ability to lead by example.
• Ability to deliver clear, structured training in both classroom and field environments.
• Problem-solving skills with a focus on reducing operational risk.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary underground team.
• Patience, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills.

Performance Indicators

• Competency progression and skill development of the charge-up crew.
• Compliance with explosives legislation and internal safety standards.
• Reduction of misfires, charging errors, and blasting-related incidents.
• Quality and accuracy of training documentation and assessments.
• Positive trainee feedback and supervisor evaluations.
• Contribution to continuous improvement initiatives.

• Deliver theoretical and practical training for all charge-up tasks, including: Explosives storage, transportation, and handling; Charging development headings, production rings, and stope preparations; Priming, loading, stemming, and tying in blast patterns; Misfire management and emergency response; Use of electronic, non-electric, and detonator-based firing systems
• Assess and verify operator competencies against site-based or national standards.
• Develop training materials, manuals, standard work procedures, and assessment tools.
• Provide one-on-one coaching for new and existing charge-up operators.
• Identify skills gaps and create targeted training plans to build workforce capability.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all training incorporates critical control management.
• Ensure compliance with: Mine safety legislation; Explosives regulations; Company policies and procedures
• Conduct and document field observations, task audits, and safe work verifications.
• Participate in incident investigations related to blasting, explosives, or misfires and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with the Charge Up Supervisor and Drill & Blast Engineers to ensure training aligns with operational needs.
• Provide expert input into blast design execution, charging techniques, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and competency matrices using the site’s learning management systems.
• Assist in onboarding new charge-up personnel and ensuring they meet site entry and explosives qualification requirements.
• Evaluate training outcomes and implement improvements to training delivery and materials.
• Introduce new technologies, equipment, and industry methods to advance operational efficiency and safety.
• Contribute to the refinement of SOPs, SWPs, and critical control verifications related to explosives and blasting.

• Strong communication and coaching skills.
• High personal safety standards and ability to lead by example.
• Ability to deliver clear, structured training in both classroom and field environments.
• Problem-solving skills with a focus on reducing operational risk.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary underground team.
• Patience, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills.

• Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (or equivalent VET/industry training qualification).
• Experience with modern blasting technologies (e.g., i-kon, EBS, smart blasting systems).
• Minimum 5–10 years underground charge-up experience, preferably in high-production mining
• Valid Shotfirer / Blaster License or equivalent explosives competency.
• Demonstrated expertise in development and production charging, blast tie-ins, and electronic detonator systems.
• Proven experience training or mentoring underground charge-up personnel.
• Strong understanding of relevant underground mining legislation and explosives regulations.
• High level of hazard awareness and risk management capability in an underground environment.
• Experience using learning management systems (LMS) for training and recordkeeping.
• Exposure to mine emergency response or incident investigation.