Group Principal Geologist, Mineral Resources

First Quantum Minerals; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mining company in Ontario seeks a Principal Geologist to lead mineral resource development. The ideal candidate will have a recognized geoscience degree, 10 years of experience with 5 in senior roles, and strong technical and leadership abilities. Responsibilities include managing resource estimates, mentoring teams, and ensuring safety protocols. This role may require international travel and fluency in Spanish is advantageous.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience, including 5 years in a senior role.
• Strong understanding of geostatistics, structural geology, and orebody modelling.
• International experience, preferably in Africa or Latin America.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong safety work culture.
• Manage resource estimate work.
• Build relationships with site teams.
• Influence decision-making through technical leadership.

Skills

Geostatistics

Structural geology

Orebody modelling

Copper geology

Nickel geology

Gold geology

Open pit production

Geological data collection

Database management

3D modelling

Ore control

Reconciliation

Work planning

Leadership

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Conflict management

Education

Geoscience tertiary qualification

Membership of a Recognised Professional Organisation

Qualification in Geostatistics

Tools

Datamine

Leapfrog

Datashed

Snowden Supervisor

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description : Purpose of the role

First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM) is a leading global company specializing in the production of copper and nickel, with additional operations in gold. With a growing portfolio of world-class assets across four continents, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide. Over the past 25 years, we have become one of the worlds top 10 copper producers, recognized for our technical expertise, innovative approach and “can-do” attitude. Boldness, intelligence, and drive are inherent in the way we operate. We prioritize the well‑being of our employees, the protection of the environment, and the support of our communities.

We seek to hire a self‑motivated and resilient individual who shares these values for the Principal Geologist, Mineral Resources role at our Perth office with regular travel.

The Group Principal Geologist, Mineral Resources reports to the Group Manager and is a key member of the Group Mining Engineering senior management team. The incumbent will use their geoscientific knowledge and leadership skills to support, guide and direct Mineral Resource estimates that develop value for mining and processing.

The primary focus of this role will be to assist with the development of FQM’s mineral resources, act as Qualified Person for copper, nickel and gold, as well as to support, train and mentor site teams with data acquisition and ore control practices. A secondary focus of this role will be to assist with governance and regulation of Mineral Resources. Key to this role is the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders. The role will require strong integration and time spent with site teams.

Job & Candidate Requirements

Key Responsibilities :

• Maintain a strong THINK safety work culture.
• Adopts and promotes a commitment to technical excellence.
• Plans, leads and manages resource estimate work, including related work of others.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with site teams and other indirect reports, fostering trust, collaboration, and alignment with company objectives.
• Influence decision‑making through effective engagement and by demonstrating value‑added technical leadership.
• Actively advise and be involved with mentoring and training of the site‑based Mining Geology team.
• Supports and assists with maintaining the standards and quality of consistent and secure database data.
• Works with site‑based Mining Geology teams in developing resource estimates with the objective of delivering to plan. Regular site‑based work will be required.
• Actively completes, guides / directs geology modelling, grade estimation, mineral resource classification and all key inputs as required for public disclosure in accordance with the CIM standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves – definitions and guidelines as well as the Rules and Policies of the National Instrument NI43‑101.
• Supports near mine Mineral Resource development, including sampling, drilling programs, geological mapping, geometallurgical, geochemical and geophysical data acquisitions.
• Supports planning, blasting, mining and processing with relevant and timely geological block model information.
• Ensures alignment between Ore Control and Resource estimate methods, particularly regarding geometallurgical data integration.
• Identifies feasible metal opportunities together with assisting in the development thereof.
• Assists with effective communication of key performance metrics relevant to the mining geology function.
• Champion adoption of advanced geological technologies with integration of function across the business.

Qualifications Required :

• A recognised geoscience tertiary qualification.
• Membership of a Recognised Professional Organisation (ROPO) as per NI43‑101.
• A recognised certificate / qualification or training in Geostatistics.

Experience & Skills Required :

• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience with at least 5 years in a senior resource estimation role.
• Strong understanding of geostatistics, structural geology and orebody modelling
• Proven technical experience in the following areas :
• Copper, Nickel and Gold geology
• Open pit production
• Geometallurgical domaining and ore performance
• Geological data collection
• Database management
• Geology knowledge and 3D modelling
• Geostatistics
• Ore control and ore tracking
• Reconciliation, and
• General work planning.
• International experience, preferably in Africa or Latin America
• Management and leadership skills, including :
• Leadership for motivating, goal setting and decision making
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Informed decision making
• Strategic thinking for identifying trends impacting on longer term planning
• Emotional intelligence including self‑awareness and managing emotions of others
• Delegation, and
• Conflict management.
• Knowledge of relevant production software (Datamine, Leapfrog, Datashed, Snowden Supervisor or other relevant mining software).

Behavioural Traits Required :

• Ability to travel internationally and work with teams within a multi‑cultural and diverse environment
• Spanish language skills advantageous
• Integrity – demonstrated ability to act with integrity, honesty and ethically
• Adaptability to new ideas and technology
• Pragmatism
• A positive attitude with optimism and drive
• A passion for the development and mentoring of people.

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