Rafi Ullah
Marabad, Fujiarha
Summary
Senior Drilling and Blasting Engineer specialising in surface bulk pre-split controlled quarry blasting for pipeline and tunnel projects. Developed innovative blast designs through detailed geological assessments, enhancing fragmentation and vibration control. Led quarry supervision and blasting execution across diverse infrastructure developments, ensuring successful outcomes in multi-project environments.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Drilling and Blasting Engineer
Gulf Rock Engineering
Sharjah , UAE
10.2025 - Current
- Plan, design, and supervise drilling and blasting operations for the ADNOC Pipeline T1 West–East Isfini RAK Project.
- Developed and implemented surface blasting, bulk blasting, and pre-split blasting designs tailored to geological and site conditions, ensuring operational safety and efficiency.
- Design and supervise trenching and excavation blasting for pipeline construction while maintaining required excavation profiles and minimising overbreak.
- Prepare controlled blasting and vibration management plans for blasting activities near existing infrastructure, pipelines, roads, utilities, and sensitive areas.
- Monitor and control ground vibration, air overpressure, flyrock, and blast-induced damage through appropriate blast design and execution.
- Design and supervise tunnel drilling and blasting patterns, including controlled blasting techniques for profile accuracy and overbreak control.
- Incorporate geological and geotechnical conditions into drilling and blasting designs to achieve safe excavation and optimum fragmentation.
- Utilise iSure, O-PitBlast, BlastMatrix, and ShapeMatrix for blast design, drilling pattern development, blast analysis, and optimisation.
- Analyse blast results and optimise drilling and blasting parameters to improve fragmentation, excavation efficiency, profile control, and cost effectiveness.
- Supervise quarry operations, including drilling, blasting, quarry-face development, excavation, material handling, and production activities.
- Verify drilling accuracy and ensure blast holes conform to approved depth, burden, spacing, inclination, and drilling patterns.
- Prepare blast plans, drilling layouts, blast reports, vibration monitoring records, and technical documentation.
- Investigated and resolved blasting issues such as poor fragmentation, excessive vibration, and flyrock, implementing corrective actions to maintain safety and project standards.
- Ensure all drilling and blasting activities are executed in accordance with approved procedures, project specifications, safety requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Conducted geological investigations of blasting areas to identify and assess rock types, joints, fractures, faults, and bedding planes, enhancing design accuracy and safety measures.
- Conduct quarry-face inspections and assess geological and operational conditions affecting drilling, blasting, and excavation.
- Coordinate with survey, geology, construction, drilling, blasting, HSE, and site supervision teams to ensure safe and efficient execution of blasting activities.
- Ensure all drilling and blasting activities are executed in accordance with approved procedures, project specifications, safety requirements, and applicable regulations.
Lead Blasting Engineer
China States Engineering and Construction Company
Tabuk , KSA
10.2023 - 03.2024
- Managing Three Tunnels at Adit 2 Neom Spine Infrastructure running Tunnel L2S3, L2N3 & L2N3CC08 & L2S3 CC08. Having experience in using bulk and cartridges. Making drill design for blast according to the provided cross section. Developed blasting plan (pre and post blast) coordinated with daily scheduled blasting to optimise operational efficiency. Generate local coordinates for drill Machine to drill for each cycle and maintain daily drilling reports. Preparing and arranging all documentation regarding drilling and blasting As per Neom Project requirement. Keep records for all explosives used during blasting on a daily basis. Coordinated blasting teams, vehicles, and tools to execute daily blasting activities. Communication with the Police and blasting related department to resolve the issues during work. Resolved unforeseen challenges during work to sustain project progress and minimise disruptions. Ensure all activities are carried out safely.
- Having experience in using bulk and cartridges.
- Understood behaviour of raw materials in different circumstances.
- Assessed efficiency of different mining methods to minimise cost, waste and time spent.
Drilling and Blasting Engineer
National Emirates Drilling and Blasting EST.
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
10.2019 - 06.2023
- PROJECTS: 1) M-Project Contractor: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) & South Korean Engineering and Construction Company (SKEC). Duration: 1 April 2021 to 3 November 2022. Conducted operational planning for excavation projects: Three phases underground excavation of caverns for underground oil storage. Secured expertise in bulk emulsion techniques for excavation projects in use of Bulk Emulsion (CPU & MPU) 2) Al-Sahab (R-1267) Khorfakan Sharjah Project Contractor: General Mechanical Company (GMC) and Telal Group of Construction. Duration: 30 November 2020 to 31 March 2021. Executed surface excavation for 8km road to facilitate access to elevated terrains, contributing to improved transport infrastructure. 3) Etihad Train Project CRCC. (November 2020 to April 2021). Contractor: China Railway Construction Company (CRCC) Duration: 10 November 2020 to 31 March 2021. Performed underground excavation for railway access, supporting the construction of a critical transport link. 4) Sharjah – Kalba Road Project, (Nov 2019 to June 2020) Contractor: General Mechanical Company (GMC) Duration: 21 September 2019 to 30 August 2022. Operations: Surface and Underground excavation for road access. Surface excavation for DAM reservoir storage.
- Established health and safety procedures for underground environments.
- Assessed efficiency of different mining methods to minimise cost, waste and time spent.
- Understood behaviour of raw materials in different circumstances.
Assistant Manager
M/S FAZAL KAREEM & COMPANY
Swat, Pakistan
05.2014 - 06.2019
- Designed daily blasting schedules to optimise ore extraction to excavate required ore from hard rock.
- Assessed ore concentration to confirm alignment with mining targets to confirm extraction targets.
- Monitored daily drilling of rocks and debris to identify ore deposits.
- Performed safety evaluations throughout operations to maintain a secure environment during operations to prevent accidents.
- Observed rock support measurements to maintain safe working conditions to maintain ground stability.
- Compiled daily activity reports to track operational progress and inform management decisions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Earth Sciences
COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology
Abbottabad, Pakistan01-2013
Skills
- Blast design
- Drilling pattern optimization
- Blast report preparation
- Blast software
- Geological assessment
- Geotechnical analysis
- HSE compliance
- Site supervision
- Project coordination
- Technical liaison
- Decision making
- Team coordination
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Arabic
Upper Intermediate
B2
Certification
- Explosive Expert UAE Ministry Of Interior Blasting Licence.
- Explosive Expert Assistant (Shot Firer) certified.
- ADNOC Confined Space Training Certificate
- Work Management System Training Certificate.
Timeline
Senior Drilling and Blasting Engineer
Gulf Rock Engineering
10.2025 - Current
Lead Blasting Engineer
China States Engineering and Construction Company
10.2023 - 03.2024
Drilling and Blasting Engineer
National Emirates Drilling and Blasting EST.
10.2019 - 06.2023
Assistant Manager
M/S FAZAL KAREEM & COMPANY
05.2014 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Earth Sciences
COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology