Exploration Drill Services Supervisor

Rangefront Mining Services; Elko (NV); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

401(k) with employer matching

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Rangefront Mining Services seeks an experienced Exploration Drill Services Supervisor to oversee drilling programs across mining and exploration projects, ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. You will liaise between the client, drilling contractors, site operations, and HSE personnel to align with company standards and project objectives.

The role emphasizes coordinating drilling activities, managing contractor performance, and delivering high-quality geological data while

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of drilling operations experience with a mining company, exploration company, or drilling contractor.
• Experience managing surface, underground, and helicopter-supported drilling programs.
• Proficiency with drilling management software such as CorePlan or similar platforms.
• Strong commitment to health, safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all exploration drilling activities to ensure safe, efficient, and successful program execution.
• Manage drilling contractor relationships and conduct regular performance and planning meetings.
• Coordinate drill pad construction, drill moves, reclamation activities, site access, and logistical support.
• Provide on-site drilling expertise, optimize core recovery, and ensure high-quality geological data.

Skills

drilling operations

leadership

contractor management

cost control

safety leadership

communication

problem solving

team collaboration

data reporting

drilling equipment knowledge

Education

Technical education in Mining/Geology/Engineering

Tools

CorePlan

Job description

For over a decade, Rangefront Mining Services has been a trusted partner to the mining industry, delivering staffing, geological expertise, advanced technology, and vehicle support. We combine deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge solutions to help our clients succeed.

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Exploration Drill Services Supervisor to support drilling operations and deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling programs across mining and exploration projects for a valued client.This position serves as the primary liaison between the client, drilling contractors, site operations, and HSE personnel to ensure drilling activities are planned, coordinated, and completed in accordance with company standards and project objectives.

The Exploration Drill Services Supervisor provides operational oversight of drilling programs, contractor performance, safety compliance, environmental stewardship, cost control, and drilling quality. The role plays a critical part in delivering high-quality geological data while maximizing productivity and maintaining a strong focus on health, safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence.

Solid work ethic, professionalism, regular attendance, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Compliance

• Champion a proactive safety culture and lead by example in all drilling activities.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Conduct regular field inspections and actively identify, communicate, and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Participate in and support daily safety meetings, risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action development.
• Ensure drilling contractors understand and comply with all site safety expectations.
• Promote continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental performance.
• Ensure drilling operations are conducted in accordance with environmental permits, regulations, and company standards.
• Support environmental monitoring, site reclamation, and drill pad restoration activities.
• Maintain environmental awareness throughout all phases of drilling projects and promote responsible resource development practices.

Drilling Program Management

• Coordinate and oversee all exploration drilling activities to ensure safe, efficient, and successful program execution.
• Collaborate with the Corporate Drill Services Manager to maintain alignment with company drilling standards, policies, and objectives.
• Manage drilling contractor relationships and conduct regular performance and planning meetings.
• Facilitate pre-project and program kickoff meetings to establish expectations and operational requirements.
• Coordinate drill pad construction, drill moves, reclamation activities, site access, and logistical support.
• Manage drilling materials, consumables, and contractor resources.
• Track and monitor drilling costs, productivity, and contractor performance using CorePlan and other reporting tools.
• Ensure optimal utilization of drilling equipment, personnel, and resources.
• Review drilling performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and control costs.
• Support contractor selection, bid evaluations, and RFP processes in partnership with the Corporate Exploration team.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the on-site drilling subject matter expert for exploration projects.
• Apply industry best practices to optimize core recovery, drill productivity, and drilling accuracy.
• Troubleshoot drilling challenges, including difficult ground conditions, poor recovery, deviation issues, equipment failures, and fluid management concerns.
• Provide recommendations regarding drilling techniques, bit selection, drilling fluids, mud systems, pumping rates, and equipment utilization.
• Work closely with geologists to improve drilling strategies and achieve exploration objectives.
• Ensure drilling activities generate high-quality geological and operational data.

Operational Coordination

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with site operations, geology, contractors, permitting, environmental, and safety teams.
• Coordinate drill sequencing and work plans to align with operational priorities and site constraints.
• Ensure all stakeholders are informed of drilling schedules, changes, risks, and project progress.
• Support permitting, environmental compliance, and site access requirements.
• Capture and document lessons learned from each drilling campaign.
• Support contract updates and process improvements based on operational experience.
• Assist with core facility improvements, sample storage management, and future program planning.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, cost management, data quality, and contractor performance.
• Ensure drill sites, storage areas, and workspaces are maintained in a safe, organized, and professional condition.
• Promote housekeeping standards that support safe and efficient operations

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of drilling operations experience with a mining company, exploration company, or drilling contractor.
• Previous experience managing surface, underground, and helicopter-supported drilling programs.
• Strong understanding of diamond core drilling methods, oriented core systems, and drilling best practices.
• Hands-on knowledge of drilling equipment, drilling fluids, mud systems, drill bits, downhole tools, and drilling mechanics.
• Experience managing drilling contractors, budgets, schedules, and program logistics.
• Proficiency with drilling management software such as CorePlan or similar platforms.
• Experience with cost tracking, expenditure approval, and drilling performance reporting.
• Strong commitment to health, safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with contractors, operations personnel, geologists, engineers, and corporate stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical education in Mining, Geology, Engineering, Exploration, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting gold and silver exploration programs.
• Experience managing remote exploration drilling projects in challenging environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay (DOE) and per diem.
• Paid travel and expenses (if applicable).
• 401(k) with employer matching.
• Comprehensive benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance.
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Work with industry leaders in a thriving, expanding company.

About Rangefront Mining Services

Rangefront Mining Services is a US-based company with headquarters in Elko, Nevada and regional offices throughout North America. We specialize in providing contract labor services for the mining and geology industries at locations all over the United States and Canada. With decades of experience and deep relationships in both fields, we have expertise in being able to recognize and qualify the best candidates.

Rangefront strives to re-employ our top-quality candidates after each contract position has ended. We have great relationships with these candidates because of our competitive benefits, exceptional communication, and our commitment to keeping our outstanding laborers employed in great contract positions. This means they are loyal, hardworking, and qualified to take on the next mining or geology project.

Along with many life-goal centered benefits, our company offers many exciting and rewarding opportunities in geology, exploration, and mining. We believe your career with us will be highly fulfilling.

Rangefront Mining Services is an equal opportunity employer.

To be considered, candidate must be legally able to work in the United States.