SVP Exploration & Strategic Planning - Indonesia

DHC Partners; Indonesia; On-site; IDR 600,000,000 - 1,200,000,000; Full time

Job summary

DHC Partners in Indonesia seeks Head of Exploration & Strategic Planning to lead exploration programs, geological evaluations, and long-term mine development. You will oversee field operations, ensure data quality, and align activities with corporate strategy for open-pit operations and future underground scenarios.

This role requires 15–20 years in copper-gold exploration, strong interpretation, modelling, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of experience in copper-gold exploration, resource definition, and field operations.
• Strong skills in geological interpretation, data management, drilling execution, and modelling.
• Experience with porphyry and epithermal systems required.
• Understanding of JORC 2012 reporting, QA/QC, sampling protocols, and resource classification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geology or related field. Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and complex field operations.
• Strong communication, planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Exploration Planning & Operational Execution: Develop annual exploration plans, drilling schedules, and technical work programs aligned with corporate exploration strategy.
• Lead field execution including drilling, sampling, mapping, geophysics, and QA/QC activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality data acquisition.
• Apply advanced geological tools (Leapfrog, Vulcan, Micromine, GIS) for target generation and interpretation.
• Oversee drilling contractors, field teams, and cost performance to deliver programs on time and within budget.
• Resource Development & Geological Evaluation: Manage data validation, geological modelling, QA/QC, and support Mineral Resource estimations.
• Contribute to Resource & Reserve updates, with understanding of JORC 2012 standards (preferred but not mandatory).
• Strategic Mine Planning & Long-Term Development: Support long‑term planning for open‑pit operations and evaluate potential transition to underground mining.
• Contribute to pit design, mine scheduling, cut‑off grade optimisation, and infrastructure planning.
• Assist with CAPEX/OPEX modelling and technical-economic trade‑off studies.
• Ensure close coordination with mine engineering, hydrology, metallurgy, and project development teams.
• Compliance, ESG & Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure exploration activities meet permitting, environmental approvals, land access requirements, and community expectations.
• Implement strong safety leadership, environmental stewardship, rehabilitation programs, and cultural heritage protection.
• Maintain professional relationships with regulators, landowners, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic Projects, New Opportunities & Corporate Support: Evaluate new tenements, joint ventures, and partnership opportunities.
• Prepare technical summaries, investment proposals, and Board documentation.
• Identify geological, operational, and regulatory risks, recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to corporate planning, resource growth forecasting, and multi-year exploration strategies.
• Team Leadership, Capability Development & Budget Management: Lead and mentor geologists, field supervisors, and technical specialists, developing internal capability and succession bench strength.
• Manage exploration budgets, drilling costs, and contractor performance with disciplined cost control.
• Strengthen cross-functional integration between exploration, mine planning, environment, HSE, CSR, and operations.

Skills

Geological interpretation

Data management

Drilling execution

Modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering or Geology

Tools

Leapfrog

Vulcan

Micromine

GIS

Job description

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Indonesia

Role Purpose

The Head of Exploration & Strategic Planning supports the leadership and execution of all exploration programs, geological evaluations, and long-term mine development initiatives. The role ensures high-quality field operations, disciplined geological interpretation, and strategic planning for current open-pit operations and potential future underground scenarios. It strengthens technical decision-making, resource growth, compliance, and long-term value creation for the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Exploration Planning & Operational Execution
• Develop annual exploration plans, drilling schedules, and technical work programs aligned with corporate exploration strategy.
• Lead field execution including drilling, sampling, mapping, geophysics, and QA/QC activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality data acquisition.
• Apply advanced geological tools (Leapfrog, Vulcan, Micromine, GIS) for target generation and interpretation.
• Oversee drilling contractors, field teams, and cost performance to deliver programs on time and within budget.
• Resource Development & Geological Evaluation
• Manage data validation, geological modelling, QA/QC, and support Mineral Resource estimations.
• Contribute to Resource & Reserve updates, with understanding of JORC 2012 standards (preferred but not mandatory).
• Analyse porphyry, epithermal, and related copper-gold systems to guide exploration targeting and resource conversion.
• Provide geological risk assessments and technical inputs to Scoping, PFS, and Feasibility Studies.
• Strategic Mine Planning & Long-Term Development
• Support long‑term planning for open‑pit operations and evaluate the potential transition to underground mining.
• Contribute to pit design, mine scheduling, cut‑off grade optimisation, and infrastructure planning.
• Assist with CAPEX/OPEX modelling and technical‑economic trade‑off studies.
• Ensure close coordination with mine engineering, hydrology, metallurgy, and project development teams.
• Compliance, ESG & Stakeholder Engagement
• Ensure exploration activities meet permitting, environmental approvals, land access requirements, and community expectations.
• Implement strong safety leadership, environmental stewardship, rehabilitation programs, and cultural heritage protection.
• Maintain professional relationships with regulators, landowners, and community stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate technical documentation, reporting discipline, and compliance with ESG standards.
• Strategic Projects, New Opportunities & Corporate Support
• Evaluate new tenements, joint ventures, and partnership opportunities.
• Prepare technical summaries, investment proposals, and Board documentation.
• Identify geological, operational, and regulatory risks, recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to corporate planning, resource growth forecasting, and multi‑year exploration strategies.
• Team Leadership, Capability Development & Budget Management
• Lead and mentor geologists, field supervisors, and technical specialists, developing internal capability and succession bench strength.
• Manage exploration budgets, drilling costs, and contractor performance with disciplined cost control.
• Strengthen cross‑functional integration between exploration, mine planning, environment, HSE, CSR, and operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• 15-20 years of experience in copper‑gold exploration, resource definition, and field operations.
• Strong skills in geological interpretation, data management, drilling execution, and modelling.
• Experience with porphyry and epithermal systems required.
• Understanding of JORC 2012 reporting, QA/QC, sampling protocols, and resource classification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geology or related field. Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and complex field operations.
• Strong communication, planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic and analytical thinker with long‑term planning capability.
• High integrity with strong commitment to safety and ESG performance.
• Clear communicator across technical and executive audiences.
• Able to operate effectively in diverse cultural, regulatory, and community environments.
• Proactive, hands‑on, and solution‑oriented in addressing field and technical challenges.