Peter Chalkidis

4.45 AM

Usually, I wake up to the alarm sound, wear my PPE and then go to the dry mess to grab my breakfast and lunch for the day.

5.20 AM

I arrive at the office, make a coffee, read the handover from the nightshift and print or adjust the dig maps if it is necessary.

5.30 AM

I attend the mining pre-start meeting with all the mining supervisors, technical services members, drill and blast crew and operators. During the pre-start, the mining personnel's work locations, health and safety and daily work issues are outlined. At the end of the meeting, I distribute the maps and the tipping locations to the dig operators and we discuss the digging method and approach on the ore shot maps.

5.50 AM

I discuss the daily tasks with the pit technicians, which are mainly related to sampling and ore spotting requirements, as well as the grade control drilling requirements with the engineers and surveyors.

6.00 AM

I enter the truck sheets from the previous days with the help of the pit technician and then I distribute the daily report, ideally before 7.30 AM.

7.30 AM

I drive around and inspect the pit and stockpile locations. I mark up the contact piles, which consist of waste, and ore and decide if they are good enough to move to the ROM or in a different case to the waste dump. In addition, I check the dig operators’ locations and ensure they are targeting the correct areas.

8.30 AM

After doing my 7:30 inspections, I make a plan for the stockpile locations, ROM stocks and ore delivery to the processing plant. I include all of the geometallurgical parameters and distribute the plan to others on site.

9.00 AM

I facilitate a meeting for ROM stocks and stockpile locations with the mining supervisors, engineers and metallurgists, where I discuss my plan. This is an opportunity for us to discuss any issues or risks and for me to adjust the plan accordingly. After the meeting, I officially send the email to everyone and I inform the mining supervisors of any changes.

10.30 AM-2.30 PM.

I process the dig blocks for the next ore shot with the appropriate software, prepare the ore hygiene reports, and block and weekly reconciliations. I also help the pit technician with sampling, ore spotting, grade control drill hole logging and sample processing.

3.00 PM

I discuss the nightshift requirements in a meeting in the look out of the pit with the engineers and mining supervisors.

4.00 PM

I get all of the ore load count for the stockpile locations from the truck operators, I update my plan with the new numbers, and I prepare a new email to distribute to everyone for the nightshift.

5.00 PM

I prepare and distribute the handover to the nightshift supervisors and pit technicians and I give them the updated ore shot maps.

Finally, I catch up with the nightshift dig operators and ensure they are clear on how to mine the ore and the tipping destinations.

5.30 PM

I finish work and go back to my room.

6.00 PM

I usually go to the gym, play basketball or go to the wet mess for a couple of drinks with my colleagues.

7.30 PM

I have my dinner.

8.00 PM

I have a shower and spend some personal time in my room, where I call my friends and family.

9.30 PM

Time for bed, I fall asleep quickly after a big day’s work!