Environmental Geochemist — 3-6 Month FTC (Mining)

ERM International Group; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 101,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM International Group is seeking an Environmental Geochemist on a 3-6 month fixed-term contract to support complex mining, mine closure and environmental projects across Australia and internationally, focusing on predictive geochemical modelling, geochemical characterisation, mine water chemistry, AMD and assessment of mine waste materials.

The ideal candidate will combine a strong understanding of aqueous and environmental geochemistry with practical experience developing and interpreting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in Environmental Geochemistry, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Hydrogeology or related discipline.
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant consulting, mining, research or industry experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of aqueous geochemistry and water-rock interactions, including mineral dissolution and precipitation, speciation, sorption, redox processes and geochemical controls on water quality.
• Practical experience undertaking predictive geochemical modelling, ideally using PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench or comparable modelling software.
• Experience interpreting geochemical characterisation datasets and laboratory testwork.
• Knowledge of AMD processes and the geochemical behaviour of mine wastes such as waste rock and tailings.
• An understanding of mine water quality, mine waste management and/or mine closure applications would be highly regarded.
• Experience integrating geochemical models with hydrological, hydrogeological or water balance information would be advantageous.
• Experience with data analysis, scripting or scientific computing tools such as Python or R would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to critically evaluate model assumptions, uncertainty and limitations.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex geochemical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Previous environmental consulting or mining industry experience would be highly regarded.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed project teams.
• Willingness to undertake occasional travel and site-based work.

Responsibilities

• Develop predictive geochemical models for mining and environmental applications using PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench or equivalent geochemical modelling software.
• Develop geochemical conceptual models to represent interactions between water, minerals, mine wastes and geological materials.
• Undertake aqueous speciation, mineral saturation, equilibrium and kinetic reaction modelling.
• Predict mine water and seepage chemistry associated with waste rock dumps, tailings storage facilities, pits, underground workings and other mine infrastructure.
• Assess acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD), including acid generation, neutralisation, metal and metalloid mobilisation and attenuation processes.
• Interpret static and kinetic geochemical testwork, including acid-base accounting, net acid generation testing, elemental and mineralogical data, leach testing and humidity cell or column test results.
• Use laboratory, field and monitoring data to calibrate, validate and refine predictive geochemical models.
• Integrate geochemical predictions with water balance, hydrogeological and surface water assessments where required.
• Support geochemical characterisation programs and development of sampling and analytical strategies for waste rock, tailings, soils, sediments and water.
• Undertake geochemical assessments to support mine planning, waste management, environmental impact assessment, operational management, mine closure planning and rehabilitation.
• Evaluate uncertainty and sensitivity within geochemical predictions and clearly communicate limitations and assumptions.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, proposals and presentations that translate complex geochemical processes and modelling results into clear conclusions and practical recommendations.
• Work collaboratively with ERM technical specialists and project teams across Australia and internationally.
• Support the continued development of ERM's environmental geochemistry and predictive modelling capability.

Skills

Geochemistry

Predictive modelling

Data interpretation

Environmental consulting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or postgraduate degree in Environmental Geochemistry

Environmental Science

Chemistry

Tools

PHREEQC

Geochemist's Workbench

Python

R

Job description

ERM International Group is seeking an Environmental Geochemist on a 3-6 month fixed-term contract to support complex mining, mine closure and environmental projects across Australia and internationally, focusing on predictive geochemical modelling, geochemical characterisation, mine water chemistry, AMD and assessment of mine waste materials.

The ideal candidate will combine a strong understanding of aqueous and environmental geochemistry with practical experience developing and interpreting