Explosives Engineer Science & Engineering Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Explosives Engineer Do?
Explosives engineers design drilling patterns and determine the amount of explosives required. They organise and supervise controlled blasts and report and investigate misfires. They manage explosives magazines.
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Where Do I Start?
Electricity
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Explosives Engineer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialElectricity knowledge
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Recommended Books
2 booksElectricity for Beginners: From Zero to MasterPrinciples Of Electricity -
EssentialExplosives knowledge
Behaviour of explosives, pyrotechnics and blasting techniques. Associated risks and legal requirements.
Recommended Books
2 booksHand Book of Explosives; Instructions in the Use of Explosives for Clearing Land, Planting and Cultivating Trees, Drainage, Ditching, Subsoiling and Other Purposes -
EssentialChemistry knowledge
The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialGeology knowledge
Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialImpact Of Geological Factors On Mining Operations knowledge
Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAddress Problems Critically skill
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Safety Legislation skill
Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse A Computer skill
Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDecide Quantity Of Explosives Required skill
Calculate the exact amount of explosives needed, based on the amount of material that needs to be removed, budgetary constraints and noise concerns.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialExamine Prospective Blast Area skill
Thoroughly examine explosion areas; determine the appropriate amount of explosives required; ensure compliance to safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIssue Drilling Instructions skill
Prepare charge holes for drilling and issue instructions prior to and during drilling.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Explosives In Accordance With Legislation skill
Manage explosives in accordance with explosives law, including tracking and control of the magazine.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialReport Misfires skill
Report misfires to relevant parties, such as the mine shift coordinator, legal inspection personnel, and the explosives manufacturer.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialReport Outcome Of Blast skill
After examining the blast area, report whether the blast was successful or not. Mention any relevant findings from the examination.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSequence Explosions skill
Time specified sequences/patterns of explosions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 6 displayed)
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OptionalMine Safety Legislation knowledge
The laws, regulations and codes of practice relevant to safety in mining operations.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalMining Engineering knowledge
Fields of engineering relevant to mining operations. Principles, techniques, procedures and equipment used in the extraction of minerals.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalPresent Reports skill
Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupervise Staff skill
Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSafely Detonate Explosives skill
Follow procedures in safely detonating explosives for mining purposes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSignal For Explosion skill
Set safety perimeter and safety signalisation around blast area; ensure that blast site is clear and safe before explosions.
Course recommendations coming soon.