Blast Hole Driller
Mariana Minerals · Moab, UT
Operates production drill rigs at an open-pit copper mine, drilling blast patterns to plan while following safety and environmental standards. Maintains equipment, keeps drill logs, and coordinates with blasters and supervisors to keep mining on schedule.
What you'll do
- Safely operate a blast hole drill rig per site procedures and MSHA requirements
- Drill production holes to plan with correct locations, depths and angles
- Perform pre-start inspections, servicing and basic troubleshooting
- Monitor and adjust drilling parameters and keep drill logs
- Flag changes in ground conditions to supervisors and blasting crews
Requirements
- 2+ years of drilling experience, ideally open-pit blast hole
- Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of drilling techniques and equipment
- Real commitment to safety
- Valid driver's license
- Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and work outdoors in all weather
Nice to have
- Heavy equipment experience
- CDL
- Underground, RC or diamond core drilling background
Benefits
- Housing assistance options
- Relocation assistance options
Skills
Outlined skills are listed as required.
Full original description
About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We’re reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
The Blast Hole Driller operates production drill rigs at our open-pit copper mine, drilling blast patterns that keep mining operations on schedule. The role focuses on safe, accurate drilling to plan, equipment care, and following health, safety and environmental standards. Open-pit blast hole experience is ideal, but we also welcome strong drillers from underground, reverse circulation (RC) or diamond core backgrounds. A utility player who can both drill and run heavy equipment is strongly preferred. Help us build the world's first fully autonomous mine.
Responsibilities
Safely operate a blast hole drill rig in line with site procedures, manufacturer specs and MSHA requirements
Drill production holes to plan, holding the right hole locations, depths and angles
Do thorough pre-start inspections, routine servicing and basic troubleshooting to keep downtime low
Monitor and adjust drilling parameters such as air pressure, rotation speed and penetration rate
Keep accurate drill logs and daily production reports
Recognize changes in ground conditions and flag them to supervisors and blasting crews
Work closely with blasters, operators and supervisors to keep the pit moving
Help out on other heavy equipment as needed (training provided)
Keep the drill bench and equipment area clean and organized
Handle equipment breakdowns and emergencies with a calm, safety-first approach
Qualifications
2+ years of drilling experience, ideally as an open-pit blast hole driller
Underground, reverse circulation (RC) or diamond core drillers are also encouraged to apply
Strong mechanical aptitude and a solid understanding of drilling techniques and equipment
Heavy equipment experience is a strong plus
Real commitment to safety
Valid driver's license; CDL is a plus
Schedule
7 days on / 7 days off, 12-hour day shifts
Housing & Relocation: Housing and relocation assistance options are available.
Working Environment & Physical Requirements
Work 12-hour shifts outdoors on drill benches and rugged terrain, in all weather and extreme temperatures
Lift at least 50 lbs, with exposure to dust, noise, vibration and diesel
Wear all required PPE (hard hat, steel toes, safety glasses, hi-vis, hearing protection, and a respirator when required)
Our culture is built on four principles:
Everyone Gets Home Safe. We never put speed or cost ahead of people.
Extreme Ownership. We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.
Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate. We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.
Share Your Legos. We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply!