Shotfirers and blasters

Shotfirers and blasters, position, assemble, and detonate explosives at mining, quarrying and demolition sites.

Skill level: Semi-skilled

Check your pay

Salary range for the majority of workers in Shotfirers and blasters - from $1,734 to $5,590 per month - 2025.
A Shotfirers and blasters typically earns between $1,734 and $4,447 gross per month at the start of the job.
After 5 years of service, this is between $1,886 and $4,827 per month for a working week of 38 hours.

Ensuring that workplace safety and explosives handling, storage and transport procedures and regulations are followed
Planning and giving instructions for the lay out, depth and diameter of blast holes
Checking depth and cleanliness of blast holes
Determining quantity and type of explosives to be used
Loading explosives into blast holes
Assembling, or directing other workers to assemble, primer charges using detonators and explosive cartridges, and attaching electrical wires, fuses and detonating cords to primers
Connecting wires, fuses and detonator cords into series, testing electrical circuits and repairing malfunctions, and connecting series to blasting machines
Covering charges, filling blast holes with rock dust, sand and other materials, and tamping material to compact charges
Ensuring that all explosives are detonated, and reporting and attending to misfires
Declaring blast areas safe before and after detonation of explosives
Compiling and maintaining records about usage of explosives in compliance with laws and regulations