Lead Exploration Geologist

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Annual performance bonus

Medical aid and retirement fund

Career growth opportunities

Accommodation during field assignments

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Exploration Geologist to direct exploration initiatives from Pretoria, focusing on gold, PGMs, and base metals. You will lead a team, manage budgets, and collaborate with stakeholders from target generation to resource definition.

The role requires a Master's in Economic Geology, Pr.Sci.Nat. desirable, and 10+ years of SA-experience, with strong mapping, geophysics, and 3D modeling skills. Extensive travel across SA and neighboring countries is expected.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Economic Geology or related Earth Science.
• Professional Geologist registration (e.g., Pr.Sci.Nat.) desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of mineral exploration experience with a strong SA geology background.
• Proven experience leading exploration teams and managing budgets.
• Strong expertise in geological mapping, structural analysis, geochemistry, geophysics, and 3D geological modeling.
• Demonstrated success in discovering economic mineral deposits.
• Excellent understanding of drilling techniques and geological data management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to undertake extensive travel to remote exploration sites within South Africa and potentially neighboring countries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic exploration plans and budgets aligned with company objectives.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of exploration programs, including target generation, fieldwork, drilling campaigns, and data acquisition.
• Lead and mentor a team of exploration geologists and technical staff, fostering collaboration and high performance.
• Interpret geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to define and prioritize exploration targets.
• Manage geological databases and ensure data integrity and quality.
• Oversee planning and supervision of diamond drilling, RC drilling, and other exploration drilling programs.
• Conduct detailed geological mapping, sampling, and core logging.
• Develop and manage geological models and resource estimates with other geologists.
• Liaise with operational mine teams to facilitate handover of projects.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations during exploration activities.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, and exploration summaries for senior management and stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of new exploration technologies and methodologies.

Skills

Team leadership

Exploration planning

Budget management

Geology knowledge

Data interpretation

Stakeholder communication

Education

Master's degree in Economic Geology

Professional Geologist registration (Pr.Sci.Nat.)

Tools

Leapfrog

Vulcan

ioGAS

Job description

About the Role Our client, a forward-thinking entity within the mining and exploration sector, is actively seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Exploration Geologist to direct their exploration initiatives from their strategic hub in Pretoria, Gauteng . This senior role is responsible for the conceptualization, planning, and execution of exploration programs aimed at discovering new mineral deposits, particularly focusing on gold, platinum group metals, and base metals within various prospective regions. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of structural geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and resource modeling, coupled with proven leadership capabilities. You will guide a team of geologists and field technicians, manage budgets, and collaborate with corporate and operational stakeholders to advance exploration projects from target generation through to resource definition. This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity to shape the future resource pipeline for a significant mining operation in South Africa .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic exploration plans and budgets aligned with company objectives.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of exploration programs, including target generation, fieldwork, drilling campaigns, and data acquisition.
• Lead and mentor a team of exploration geologists and technical staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Interpret geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to define and prioritize exploration targets.
• Manage geological databases and ensure the integrity and quality of all exploration data.
• Oversee the planning and supervision of diamond drilling, RC drilling, and other exploration drilling programs.
• Conduct detailed geological mapping, sampling, and core logging.
• Develop and manage geological models and resource estimates in collaboration with resource geologists.
• Liaise with operational mine teams to facilitate the handover of successful projects.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental, health, and safety regulations during exploration activities.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, and exploration summaries for senior management and stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of new exploration technologies and methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Economic Geology, or related Earth Science discipline.
• Professional Geologist registration (e.g., Pr.Sci.Nat.) or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in mineral exploration, with a significant focus on South African geology and diverse deposit types.
• Proven experience in leading exploration teams and managing exploration budgets.
• Strong expertise in geological mapping, structural analysis, geochemistry, geophysics, and 3D geological modeling software (e.g., Leapfrog, Vulcan, ioGAS).
• Demonstrated success in discovering economic mineral deposits.
• Excellent understanding of drilling techniques and geological data management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to undertake extensive travel to remote exploration sites within South Africa and potentially neighboring countries.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package commensurate with expertise and leadership.
• Annual performance bonus and potential for long-term incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life assurance, and retirement fund.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career advancement in a leading mining company.
• Generous leave provisions.
• Opportunity to work on exciting greenfield and brownfield exploration projects.
• Accommodation and subsistence provided during field assignments.