Chief Geologist - Exploration and Resource Estimation

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Medical and retirement benefits

International travel opportunities

Generous leave allowance

Professional development support

Leadership role in a major mining firm

Job summary

Our client, a major player in the global mining sector, seeks a Chief Geologist to lead exploration and resource estimation from Welkom, Free State. You will guide data acquisition, model development, and reporting, with a focus on strategic resource growth.

The role requires senior leadership, deep geostatistical know-how, and the ability to manage teams in remote exploration settings across international projects. An exceptional track record is essential.

Qualifications

• MSc or Ph.D. in Economic Geology or a related geoscience field.
• Minimum 10–12 years in mineral exploration with strong resource estimation focus.
• Proven geostatistics and resource modeling skills with Leapfrog Geo, Micromine, or Datamine.
• Track record of discovering and defining significant mineral resources.
• Deep understanding of diverse geological environments and ore deposit types.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive geological exploration strategies and programs.
• Oversee all geological data collection including drilling, sampling, and mapping.
• Manage and interpret geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to identify prospective areas.
• Lead development and validation of geological models and resource estimates using geostatistical methods.
• Ensure accuracy, reliability, and compliance of resource reporting (e.g., JORC, NI 43-101).
• Provide expert geological advice and technical direction to exploration teams.
• Collaborate with mine planning and engineering to define resources for development.
• Manage exploration budgets and timelines effectively.
• Mentor and develop junior geologists and technical staff.
• Keep abreast of advances in exploration techniques and software.

Skills

Geostatistics

Leadership

Communication

Resource estimation

Geological interpretation

Education

MSc or Ph.D. in Economic Geology

Tools

Leapfrog Geo

Micromine

Datamine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant force in the global mining sector, is searching for an accomplished Chief Geologist to spearhead their exploration and resource estimation efforts in Welkom, Free State . This senior leadership position is pivotal in identifying, evaluating, and defining new mineral resources, as well as accurately quantifying existing ones. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing exploration strategies, overseeing geological data acquisition and management, and ensuring the integrity of resource models. This role demands exceptional geological expertise, a strong understanding of geostatistics, and proven leadership capabilities within a remote exploration context. You will play a key part in shaping the company's future growth by discovering and delineating valuable mineral deposits. The position based in Welkom offers an exciting challenge for a visionary geologist seeking to make a substantial impact on strategic resource development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive geological exploration strategies and programs.
• Oversee all aspects of geological data collection, including drilling, sampling, and geological mapping.
• Manage and interpret geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to identify prospective areas.
• Lead the development and validation of geological models and resource estimates using geostatistical methods.
• Ensure the accuracy, reliability, and compliance (e.g., JORC, NI 43-101) of resource reporting.
• Provide expert geological advice and technical direction to exploration teams.
• Collaborate with mine planning and engineering departments to ensure seamless resource definition for development.
• Manage exploration budgets and timelines effectively.
• Mentor and develop junior geologists and technical staff.
• Stay current with advancements in exploration techniques, geological modeling software, and geostatistics.

Requirements

• MSc or Ph.D. in Economic Geology, or a related geoscience field.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of relevant experience in mineral exploration, with a significant focus on resource estimation.
• Demonstrated expertise in geostatistics and resource modeling software (e.g., Leapfrog Geo, Micromine, Datamine).
• Proven track record of discovering and defining significant mineral resources.
• Strong understanding of diverse geological environments and ore deposit types relevant to the mining industry.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with international reporting codes (JORC, NI 43-101).
• Ability to work effectively in challenging and remote exploration settings.
• Experience within the Free State province or similar geological terrains is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remuneration package including base salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for international travel and professional growth.
• Generous leave allowance.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• A key role in a leading mining company with significant exploration assets.
• Contribute to the discovery of new mineral wealth.