When the ground settles after a well-executed blast, Philemon Maphosa feels a sense of relief that comes with fulfilling one’s duty. Philemon, a blaster at Phalanndwa Colliery, explains that a lot of work goes into this critical process beyond the moment of detonation.

Most crucial for Philemon, is ensuring that everyone is safe before and after blasting takes place. This is key to every successful blasting mission. It entails careful planning, filling holes with explosives and discharging them according to schedule. “Being a blaster requires one to be very focused,” Philemon emphasises.

He qualified as a blaster in 2019, about four years after joining Canyon Coal. Philemon initially joined the company as an excavator operator in 2015 and was promoted as supervisor two years later. He was appointed as a blaster in August 2023. Blasting, like any other job, comes with its own set of challenges such as meeting production demands and ensuring that all activities are carried out without health and safety risks. Philemon is unphased by the challenges and tackles them calmy. “I make sure that when it is time to work, my team and I execute the task properly and do everything right the first time around,” he states. Philemon holds certificates in excavator operation and risk management in addition to his blasting qualification. He is keen to study project management in future.