Head Geologist Exploration & Mine Production

Job Search; Mumbai; On-site; INR 3,797,000 - 4,852,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living allowance in Angola

Accommodation in Huambo, Angola

Transportation between workplace and 


2 return economy class tickets to home

Job summary

Head Geologist Exploration & Mine Production is based in Huambo, Angola, with regular travel to other Group sites across Africa. You will lead the Exploration team to grow the resource base and act as Production Geologist, supporting mine planning and reconciliation while ensuring QA/QC and data integrity.

Requirements include 5+ years in senior geology roles, a geology degree (Masters/ accreditation preferred), and experience with REE and/or gold mineralisation. Portuguese language is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Head of Geology / Head of Exploration role or equivalent senior leadership position.
• Degree in Geology, Earth Sciences or related discipline; a Master’s degree or professional geologist accreditation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience leading exploration programmes from target generation through to resource definition.
• Solid grounding in production/mine geology, including grade control, reconciliation and block modelling.
• Understanding of rare earth element mineralisation and/or gold mineralisation strongly preferred; experience across both commodities is a distinct advantage.
• Working knowledge of laboratory processes (sample preparation, assay methods, QA/QC) is an advantage.
• Experience working in Angola or comparable African mining jurisdiction is preferred; Portuguese language skills are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and grow the on-site Exploration team, setting priorities, targets and work programmes.
• Design and manage exploration programmes mapping, sampling, drilling and trenching to define and expand the rare earth and gold resource base.
• Oversee resource interpretation and modelling, working with external consultants where required for resource/reserve estimation.
• Manage exploration budgets, contractors and drilling campaigns.
• Ensure exploration data is captured, QA/QC'd and stored to industry standard.
• Provide day-to-day geological support to mine planning and production, including grade control and short-term modelling.
• Work closely with mine planning, engineering and metallurgical teams to reconcile production against block models and resource estimates.

Skills

Geological modelling

Leadership

Communication

Mobility/Relocation

Education

Bachelor in Geology

Master's degree or accreditation

Tools

Micromine

Leapfrog

Datamine

Job description

Job Description: Head Geologist

Job Title :- Head Geologist Exploration & Mine Production

Department:- Geology & Exploration

Location:- Huambo, Angola (site-based), with regular travel to other

Group mine sites across Africa

Reports To :- General Manager, Ondala Mining Employment

Type :- Full-time

Role Purpose:-

The Head Geologist holds dual responsibility on site: leading the Exploration team to grow and define the resource base, while also acting as the mine's Production Geologist, providing day-to-day geological support to active mining operations. The primary focus of the role is Head of Exploration, with production geology as a secondary but essential responsibility. This is a hands-on leadership position suited to an experienced geologist ready to build and run a technical team on a new, fast-growing operation combining rare earth element (REE) and gold mineralisation.

Key Responsibilities

Exploration Leadership (primary focus)

• Lead, mentor and grow the on-site Exploration team, setting priorities, targets and work programmes.
• Design and manage exploration programmes mapping, sampling, drilling and trenching to define and expand the rare earth and gold resource base.
• Oversee resource interpretation and modelling, working with external consultants where required for resource/reserve estimation.
• Manage exploration budgets, contractors and drilling campaigns.
• Ensure exploration data is captured, QA/QC'd and stored to industry standard.

Production Geology

• Provide day-to-day geological support to mine planning and production, including grade control, ore/waste definition and short-term geological modelling.
• Work closely with mine planning, engineering and metallurgical teams to reconcile production against block models and resource estimates.
• Support ongoing pit and/or underground mapping and geotechnical observations as required.

Laboratory & Technical Oversight

• Liaise with the on-site or contracted laboratory on sample preparation, assay QA/QC and turnaround times, and support laboratory setup or process improvements where relevant.
• Apply a working understanding of assay methods for both rare earth elements and gold, given the dual-commodity nature of the deposit.

Cross-Site & Group Duties

• Travel periodically to other Group mine sites across Africa to support exploration reviews, technical audits and knowledge-sharing between operations.
• Represent the Geology & Exploration function in Group technical meetings and reporting.

Safety, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all geology and exploration activities comply with Angolan mining regulations and Group HSE standards.
• Prepare regular technical reports for the General Manager and Group technical leadership.

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Head of Geology / Head of Exploration role, or an equivalent senior geological leadership position required.
• Degree in Geology, Earth Sciences or a related discipline; a Master's degree or professional geologist accreditation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience leading exploration programmes from target generation through to resource definition.
• Solid grounding in production/mine geology, including grade control, reconciliation and block modelling.
• Understanding of rare earth element mineralisation and/or gold mineralisation strongly preferred; experience across both commodities is a distinct advantage.
• Working knowledge of laboratory processes (sample preparation, assay methods, QA/QC) is an advantage.
• Experience working in Angola or a comparable African mining jurisdiction is preferred; Portuguese language skills are an advantage.

Skills & Attributes

• Proficiency with geological modelling and database software (e.g. Micromine, Leapfrog, Datamine, or similar).
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to establish a team and processes from the ground up on a new operation.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, comfortable reporting to senior management and Group technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to be based in Huambo, Angola, with regular travel to other Group operations across the continent.

Working Conditions

• Location: Huambo, Angola (site-based).
• Travel: Periodic travel required to other Group mine sites across Africa as part of the role's duties.
• Rotation schedule, relocation support and remuneration to be confirmed with the successful candidate.

Remuneration / Benefits

• USD 4,000 per month (negotiable, depending on candidates experience, skills and knowledge)
• Living Allowance in Angola
• Accommodation in Huambo, Angola
• Transportation between workplace and accommodation
• 2 return economy class tickets to home country per year