Senior Tradesman – Drill Specialist
Location: Tarime, Mara Region, Tanzania, United Republic of
Organization: Barrick – North Mara Mine
Contract type: 2-year fixed-term contract
Rotation: 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off
Application status: Be the first to apply
Job description
Position description
The Barrick Africa Middle East Team at North Mara Mine is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Tradesman – Drill Specialist on a 2-year fixed-term contract.
This role follows an 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off rotation. The primary mandate of the position is the structured skills transfer and capability development of the national drill maintenance workforce, which is the key performance indicator of the engagement.
The North Mara drill fleet, consisting of Sandvik surface drill rigs, has active 2026 PCR requirements and is not adequately covered by the existing team. The successful candidate will combine hands-on PCR execution and preventive maintenance with a genuine commitment to mentoring, coaching, and building a fully self-sufficient local drill maintenance team by the end of the contract term.
Barrick values
Join Barrick’s exceptional team and embody the company’s core values while contributing to a world-class operation. Barrick is looking for individuals who can champion its 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 are ready to contribute to Barrick’s world-class team while embracing these values, you are encouraged to apply and become a valued member of the company’s diverse workforce.
Responsibilities
The Senior Tradesman – Drill Specialist will be responsible for the following:
- Comply with all Barrick health, safety, and environmental policies, procedures, and the Mines Health & Safety Act, while visibly leading by example on Zero Harm.
- Deliver a structured, formal drill maintenance training programme to develop national drill technicians to a competent and independent standard. This is the primary KPI of the role.
- Lead, supervise, mentor, and coach the national drill maintenance team on all tasks, ensuring skills are progressively transferred throughout the contract term.
- Execute the 2026 PCR programme on the Sandvik drill fleet, including compressor replacements, hose kits, undercarriage, feed boom/mast installation, and associated component change-outs.
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on the full North Mara Sandvik drill fleet to maintain availability and reliability targets.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot Sandvik drill rig compressor systems, hydraulics, feed/mast mechanisms, auto rod-handling systems, and drill control systems.
- Conduct and mentor condition monitoring activities for drill components, including oil analysis, contamination control, filter inspection, and hydraulic cylinder rating, to support condition-based maintenance decisions.
- Develop and implement maintenance strategies for repeat failure modes on the drill fleet.
- Lead root cause analysis (RCFA) on major failures and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Develop and implement work plans to improve drill rig availability and reduce repeat failures.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.
- Promote high standards of housekeeping and equipment care.
- Maintain accurate SAP PM records, including work orders, notifications, parts requisitioning, and job history.
- Ensure timely and accurate work order closure.
- Manage Sandvik OEM liaison, warranty claims, and specialist vendor coordination for the drill fleet.
- Provide input to the Planning team on drill maintenance scheduling, backlog, and long-term component replacement requirements.
- Perform any additional duties as required by the supervisor.
Qualification requirements
Applicants must meet the following qualification requirements:
- Mechanical or Electro-Mechanical Trade Certificate from a recognised institution is required.
- Sandvik drill rig manufacturer certification or OEM training certification is required.
- Hydraulic systems certification or equivalent formal training is required.
- Computer literacy in SAP and Microsoft Office Suite is required.
- Valid driver’s licence.
Experience and competencies needed
Applicants should have the following experience and competencies:
- Minimum of 5–7 years’ hands-on maintenance experience on Sandvik surface drill rigs is required.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Sandvik drill rig systems, including compressor systems, hydraulic circuits, feed/mast mechanisms, auto rod-handling systems, and drill control systems.
- Demonstrated PCR and major component replacement experience on rotary blast hole drill rigs, including compressor rebuilds, undercarriage replacement, and feed system overhauls.
- Demonstrated experience delivering structured skills transfer and training to national teams in a cross-cultural mining environment is required.
- At least 3 years’ experience in a supervisory or leading hand role within a drill maintenance team.
- Proven fault-finding and troubleshooting skills on drilling equipment.
- Experience in root cause analysis and implementing sustainable maintenance improvements.
- Good working knowledge of SAP PM and CMMS work order management.
- Medical fitness for the mining environment.
What Barrick can offer you
Barrick offers the successful candidate:
- A comprehensive compensation package, including bonuses and site-specific benefits.
- The opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in North Mara’s HME OC Maintenance turnaround.
- Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
- Structured training, mentoring, and career development opportunities.
- Access to a variety of career opportunities across the Barrick group.
About Barrick
Barrick’s mission is to be the world’s most valued gold and copper mining business. The company is committed to partnering with host countries and communities to transform their natural resources into tangible benefits and mutual prosperity.
Barrick is a leading global mining, exploration, and development company. With one of the largest portfolios of world-class and life-long gold and copper assets in the industry, including six of the world’s Tier One gold mines, Barrick’s operations and projects span 18 countries and five continents.
Barrick is also the largest gold producer in the United States. The company creates real, long-term value for all stakeholders through responsible mining, strong partnerships, and a disciplined approach to growth.
Barrick shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol B and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.
About North Mara Mine
The North Mara gold mine is located in north-west Tanzania, in the Tarime district of the Mara region. It is around 100 kilometres east of Lake Victoria and 20 kilometres south of the Kenyan border.
North Mara started commercial production in 2002. The mine is a combined open pit and underground operation from two deposits:
- Gokona, which is an underground deposit.
- Nyabirama, which is an open pit deposit.
The process plant has the capacity to process an average of 8,000 tonnes of ore per day.
How to Apply:
Job type Full-time Job, To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.
