Cheikh Abdellahi Haiballa
Nouakchott
Summary
Highly experienced Mining Engineer with over 15 years of expertise in open-pit mining operations, specializing in drill and blast, production, and mine planning. Proven track record of optimizing blasting performance, improving operational efficiency, and leading high-performing teams in complex mining environments.
Currently serving as Senior Drill and Blast Superintendent at BISSA (Nordgold Mine, Burkina Faso), with prior extensive experience at Tasiast Gold Mine. Demonstrates strong leadership capabilities, technical excellence, and a results-driven approach to mining operations.
Completed the Graduate Mining Engineer Program at Tasiast Gold Mine, gaining comprehensive exposure across all core mining disciplines, including Load & Haul, Drill & Blast, Geology, Survey, and Dispatch. Progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, including Junior Drill & Blast Engineer, Senior Drill & Blast Engineer, and Deputy Superintendent, before advancing to Superintendent level and acting as Mine Manager.
Recognized for strong field expertise, operational leadership, and the ability to deliver safe, cost-effective, and high-quality mining outcomes.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Drill and Blast Superintendent
Bissa Mine NordGold
Burkina Faso
04.2025 - Current
- - Oversee and manage all aspects of the Drill and Blast Department, including safety, production, and profitability.
- - Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve operational goals and optimize resource utilization.
- - Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies, and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and local communities.
Mine Manager Interim
Kinross Tasiast
10.2022 - 04.2023
- - Oversee and manage all aspects of the mine, including safety, production, and profitability.
- - Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve operational goals and optimize resource utilization.
- - Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies, and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and local communities.
Drill and Blast Superintendent
Kinross Tasiast
09.2018 - 10.2022
- - Develop and implement production plans and schedules to meet operational goals, optimizing drilling and blasting activities to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- - Manage compliance with safety regulations and company policies, collaborate with other departments, and mentor junior staff while overseeing the work of the Drill and Blast team.
Drill and Blast Deputy Superintendent
Kinross Tasiast
07.2017 - 09.2018
- - Lead and oversee all Drill and Blast activities at the site to ensure safety and cost effectiveness.
- - Support Drill and Blast Superintendents in setting and maintaining production schedules that align with operations direction.
- - Collaborate with other departments to ensure priorities align with plans and budgets.
- - Optimize production plans to maintain cost effective mining operations.
- - Develop preventative maintenance schedules and maintain appropriate stock inventory levels.
- - Mentor Graduates in designing and planning.
Senior Drill and Blast Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
04.2016 - 07.2017
- - Provide leadership and support to D&B engineers.
- - Collect, monitor, and analyze KPI information to measure productivity against standards.
- - Optimize production plans to maintain cost-effective operations.
- - Develop best practices to improve drill & blast functionality and achieve optimum results.
- - Create, review, and revise drill designs and charging plans for safe execution.
- - Ensure production targets are met, and provide QA/QC on drilling and blasting activities, review methodology and plans.
Junior Drill and Blast Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
01.2013 - 04.2016
- - Design and schedule drilling and blasting operations ahead of time.
- - Ensure production targets are met by creating a weekly plan for D&B activity.
- - Design firing sequence (tie-up) to achieve effective fragmentation and reduce ground vibration.
- - Conduct routine field inspections with operations and ensure charging and tie-up activities are carried out according to standard procedures.
- - Provide Quality Assurance and Quality Control on all drilling and blasting activities.
- - Daily Inspection of mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
Graduate Mining Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
05.2011 - 01.2013
- - Design and schedule drilling and blasting operations ahead of time.
- - Ensure production targets are met by creating a weekly plan for D&B activity.
- - Design firing sequence (tie-up) to achieve effective fragmentation and reduce ground vibration.
- - Conduct routine field inspections with operations and ensure charging and tie-up activities are carried out according to standard procedures.
- - Provide Quality Assurance and Quality Control on all drilling and blasting activities.
- - Daily Inspection of mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- 6 Months in Load and Haul to cover:
- - Operation of Komatsu 785-7 Rear Dump Truck
- - Ore spotting / Pit Technicians Skills
- - Operation of laser level
- - Daily pit supervisory skills
- 3 Months Drill and Blast to cover:
- - Drill mark outs, dipping of drill holes
- - Loading of drill holes, handling of explosive accessories
- - Tie-in of shots, timing, sequencing
- - Explosive manufacture, emulsion plant operations
- 3 Months Survey to cover:
- - Basic surveying skills
- - Set out and pick up of drill and blast, grade control drilling, ore markups
- - Operation of GPS and total station equipment
- - End of month pickup and reconciliation
- 3 Months Grade Control to cover:
- - Ore markup
- - Grade control drilling / sampling
- - Laboratory management, sample preparation
- 3 Months Dispatch to cover:
- - Operation and support of Modular Mining
- - Basic dispatch skills
- - Daily, weekly monthly production reporting
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Mining Engineering
University Badji Moctar Annaba
Annaba, Algeria07-2009
Skills
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Field Investigation
- MS Office
- Surpac
- Wallpro
- BlastMap
- Optiblast
- Rioblast
- Project coordination
- Project management
- Key decision making
- Subcontractor management
- Staff management
- Performance improvements
- Continuous improvement
- Contract management
- Risk management
Certification
- Certificate Attendance of Efficient Blasting Techniques - BLAST CONSULT S.L.
- Kinross Management Development Program November 2017 (ASHRIDGE EXECUTIVE EDUCATION)
- IOSH Working Safely
- IOSH Managing Safety
LANGUAGES
Arabic : Native
French : Advanced
English : Advanced
COURSES
- Delivering Team Excellence
- Finance Fundamentals
- Optimizing personnel energy
- Strategic Thinking
Timeline
Senior Drill and Blast Superintendent
Bissa Mine NordGold
04.2025 - Current
Mine Manager Interim
Kinross Tasiast
10.2022 - 04.2023
Drill and Blast Superintendent
Kinross Tasiast
09.2018 - 10.2022
Drill and Blast Deputy Superintendent
Kinross Tasiast
07.2017 - 09.2018
Senior Drill and Blast Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
04.2016 - 07.2017
Junior Drill and Blast Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
01.2013 - 04.2016
Graduate Mining Engineer
Kinross Tasiast
05.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelor’s Degree - Mining Engineering
University Badji Moctar Annaba