First Class Mines Manager : Open Cast Limestone Mining

Designation: First Class Mines Manager Open Cast Limestone Mining

Purpose of the Job:

The First-Class Mines Manager is the statutory authority responsible for overall management, safety, productivity, and legal compliance of an open cast limestone mine, ensuring uninterrupted supply of limestone to plant while complying with the Mines Act, 1952, MCDR 2017, DGMS Regulations, and Environmental Clearance conditions.

Key Responsibilities:

Statutory & Regulatory Compliance Act as the Statutory Mine Manager under the Mines Act, 1952.

• Ensure compliance with:

• Mines Act, 1952

• Metalliferous Mines Regulations, 1961

• MCDR, 2017 (IBM)

• DGMS Circulars, Guidelines & Safety Alerts

• Environmental Clearance (EC), CTO/CTE conditions

• Liaise with DGMS, IBM, SPCB, MoEF, and State Mining Authorities.

• Timely submission of statutory returns, notices, annual and monthly reports.

Safety Management (Open Cast Specific)

• Implement and monitor Safety Management Plan (SMP).

• Ensure safe practices in:

• Bench design and maintenance

• Slope stability and highwall monitoring

• Drilling and blasting operations

• Excavation, loading, and haulage

• Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, and mock drills.

• Investigate accidents, dangerous occurrences, and near misses.

• Ensure training and competency of operators, blasters, and supervisors.

Mine Operations & Production

• Plan and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production targets.

• Optimize:

• Drilling & blasting parameters

• Excavatordumper deployment

• Crusher feed quality and size control

• Ensure consistent limestone quality as per plant requirements (LSF, SM, AM).

• Coordinate mine dispatch to crusher / plant

Drilling & Blasting Management

• Design blast patterns to achieve:

• Optimum fragmentation

• Minimal vibration and fly rock

• Reduced crusher downtime

• Ensure safe storage, handling, and use of explosives.

• Monitor vibration levels and compliance with DGMS & EC limits.

Mine Planning & Technical Control

• Ensure mining operations are as per approved Mining Plan / Scheme of Mining.

• Coordinate with mine planning, survey, and geology teams.

• Monitor:

• Bench height, width, and slope angles

• Stripping ratio and recovery

• Support progressive mine development and expansion.

Environmental Management

• Ensure compliance with:

• Dust suppression (water sprinkling, mist cannons)

• Noise and vibration control

• Waste dump management

• Rainwater harvesting and garland drains

• Implement progressive mine reclamation and rehabilitation.

• Maintain green belt and environmental monitoring records.

Equipment & Contractor Management

• Manage HEMM deployment and productivity.

• Coordinate with contractors for:

• Drilling

• Blasting

• Excavation and transport

• Ensure preventive maintenance and minimal equipment downtime.

Leadership & Workforce Management

• Lead mine officers, supervisors, and workmen.
• Promote strong safety and compliance culture.
• Conduct training, toolbox talks, and performance reviews.
• Handle discipline, absenteeism, and workforce grievances.

Emergency & Crisis Management

• Prepare and implement Emergency Response & Disaster Management Plans.

• Lead emergency response during:

• Slope failure

• Blasting incidents

• Fire or serious accidents

• Coordinate with rescue teams, hospitals, and local administration.

Education:

• First Class Managers Certificate of Competency (Metalliferous) DGMS
• Degree in Mining Engineering or equivalent (DGMS approved)

Experience:

• 10 – 13 years’ Experience in Open Cast Limestone Mining
• Experience in Captive Limestone Mines for Cement/Lime Stone Plants preferred

Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of limestone mining operations
• Expertise in DGMS, IBM (MCDR), and EC compliance
• Excellent leadership and decisionmaking skills
• Safetyfirst mindset
• Production planning and cost optimization
• Strong coordination with plant and quality teams