Role Purpose:

To lead the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and reliability improvement of diamond drilling,reverse circulation (RC) and aircore drilling rigs operating across multiple remote exploration sites in Zambia.The successful candidate will ensure maximum rig availability, minimise downtime and mentor junior mechanicsand operators in preventive maintenance best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on preventive, predictive and breakdown maintenance on drilling rigs and associatedequipment.

• Diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and power transmission systems.

• Lead field repairs and major component overhauls to minimise operational downtime.

• Supervise and train junior mechanics and rig crews on daily inspections and maintenance procedures.

• Conduct root cause analysis of recurring failures and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records, service schedules and equipment histories.

• Manage site spare parts inventory and ensure availability of critical components.

• Coordinate with the Drilling Manager to improve fleet reliability and maintenance planning.

• Ensure compliance with company HSE standards and safe work procedures.

Equipment Experience Required

• Diamond core drilling rigs.

• Reverse circulation (RC) drilling rigs.

• Aircore drilling rigs.

• DTH drilling equipment (advantageous).

Chinese Rig Experience (Mandatory)

• Kores rigs (KDR 300, 500, 700, 1000, 1200).

• Dynatech rigs.• UDR rigs.• PRD rigs.

•Chinese mud pumps, hydraulic systems and power packs.

• Experience working with Sandvik and Atlas Copco rigs will be advantageous.

Technical Competencies

• Hydraulic pumps, motors, cylinders, valves, hoses and control systems.

• Mud pumps, water pumps, air compressors, boosters and pneumatic systems.

• Winches, feed systems, rotation heads, gearboxes, wireline systems and mast assemblies.

• Diesel engines and power packs (Cummins, Caterpillar, Deutz or equivalent).

• Hydraulic and pneumatic schematic interpretation.

• Bearings, seals, couplings, crawler systems and undercarriage components.

• Basic electrical fault finding, sensors and control systems.

• Welding, fabrication and field modifications.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in drilling rig maintenance.

• Minimum 5 years' experience as a Senior Rig Mechanic or Rig Maintenance Supervisor.

• Proven experience on exploration drilling projects in remote locations.

• Previous experience in Africa, particularly Zambia or DRC, is highly desirable.

• Relevant trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Diesel Mechanics, Hydraulics or equivalent.

• Valid driver's licence.

Key Performance Indicators

• Rig availability above 85%.

• Preventive maintenance compliance above 95%.

• Reduction in unplanned downtime.

• Improvement in Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).

• Reduction in Mean Time To Repair (MTTR).

• Spare parts stock accuracy and availability.