Matthew Field
Underground Operator
Wynyard,TAS
Summary
Experienced and safety-focused Underground Operator with 8+ years in hard rock mining environments. Skilled in handling explosives, conducting charge-up and blasting operations, and ensuring compliance with strict safety and environmental standards. Proven ability to work in high-pressure conditions, maintain equipment, and contribute to production targets in FIFO and remote site operations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Loader Operator
Redpath
Olympic Dam, SA
05.2025 - Current
- Operate Sandvik LH517i and LH621i underground loaders.
- Load underground haul trucks, ensuring timely transport of materials.
- Conduct charge-up operations in an underground decline hard rock mining environment, ensuring safe and efficient blasting practices.
- Handle, transport and load explosives, adhering to site and regulatory safety standards to mitigate risks.
- Bog development headings safely and efficiently.
- Complete heading and stockpile clean-ups.
- Conduct pre-start inspections and report equipment defects.
- Perform pre-blast inspections, area clearance, and misfire management.
Charge-Up Operator
Byrnecut
Prominent Hill, SA
03.2024 - 05.2025
- Performed underground charge-up operations in a high-development hard rock mining environment.
- Handled and transported explosives safely, ensuring compliance with site and legislative requirements.
- Operated Charmec for efficient delivery and loading of explosives.
- Conducted pre-blast inspections, cleared areas, and managed misfires per site protocols to ensure operational safety.
- Participated in daily pre-starts, safety meetings, and hazard reporting.
- Conduct re-entries
Shotfirer
Avebury Nickel Mine
Zeehan, TAS
09.2022 - 02.2023
- Conducted underground blasting operations in accordance with site procedures and safety regulations.
- Prepared and loaded blast holes with explosives, including emulsion and ANFO.
- Performed pre-blast inspections and ensured safe clearance of blast zones.
- Managed misfires and reported incidents as per site protocols.
- Worked closely with the charge-up and drill teams to coordinate blasting schedules.
- Maintained accurate records of blast designs, charge weights, and detonation sequences.
Education
Burnie High School
Burnie, TASSkills
- Equipment operation (IT, Charmec, Loader)
- Underground charge-up and blasting operations
- Handling and transportation of explosives (emulsion and ANFO)
- Shotfiring and misfire management
- Ventilation and ground support installation
- Mine safety regulations
- Hazard identification and risk management
- FIFO roster experience
- Record keeping and reporting
- Team collaboration and communication
Certification
- Underground Shotfirer Ticket
- South Australian Blasters
- Working at Heights
- Confined Space Entry
- First Aid
- Manual Driver’s Licence
- Queensland explosives security clearance
- Construction White Card
- Forklift Licence
- Dogging Licence
- Cert. 3 in Engineering - Fabrication
References
Lee Cooper – Superintendent, Olympic Dam 0448 140 380
Grant Howard – Supervisor, Bluestone Mines 0499 994 322
Karl Royle – Mine Superintendent, Avebury Nickel Mine 0400 071 143
Dallas Arnold – Jumbo Operator, Avebury Nickel Mine 0400 504 781
Joshua Palmer – Jumbo Operator, Bluestone Mines 0418 917 541
Timeline
Loader Operator
Redpath
05.2025 - Current
Charge-Up Operator
Byrnecut
03.2024 - 05.2025
Shotfirer
Avebury Nickel Mine
09.2022 - 02.2023
Burnie High School