Principal Geologist - Generative & New Business - AME

Barrick Mining Corporation; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global mining company is seeking a Principal Geologist to join their Africa & Middle East Exploration Team. This role requires substantial expertise in exploration geology and substantial leadership skills to guide geological practices and ensure compliance with safety standards. The candidate must have over 15 years of experience in exploration, with strong technical acumen and the ability to mentor junior geologists. The position also involves evaluating new business opportunities and strategic partnerships. Competitive compensation and benefits are part of the offer.

Benefits

Comprehensive compensation package including bonuses

Opportunities for professional growth

Collaborative working environment

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in greenfield/brownfield exploration.
• 5+ years in technical specialist roles.
• Extensive experience in structurally controlled gold deposits.

Responsibilities

• Ensure geological work complies with safety and environmental standards.
• Lead AME exploration teams in Au and Cu best practices.
• Mentor and train geologists to foster professional growth.

Skills

Exploration geology expertise

Technical leadership

GIS and geological modeling proficiency

Strong communication skills

Safety and environmental commitment

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Geology / Geoscience

Advanced Degree (MSc / PhD)

Tools

ArcGIS

Leapfrog Geo

Micromine

ioGAS

Job description

Overview

The Barrick Africa & Middle East Exploration Team is proud to be home to leading technical experts. It combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, discovery-driven teams operating in many of the most prospective, world-class Au and Cu exploration districts.

We are seeking to recruit a Principal Geologist – Generative and New Business to join the Barrick Africa & Middle East Exploration Team.

The Principal Geologist serves as a senior subject matter expert in exploration geology, ensuring that foundational geological work across exploration teams is of the highest technical quality and fully aligned with Barrick’s strategic objectives. The role requires deep expertise in exploration geology, strong technical leadership, and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

In addition to technical oversight, the Principal Geologist – Generative and New Business plays a key role in developing new concepts, identifying and evaluating emerging geological opportunities, and shaping the exploration pipeline from grassroots ideas through to advanced-stage prospects. The position also carries significant new business responsibilities, including the review, technical due diligence, and strategic motivation of potential partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions, and other growth opportunities that enhance Barrick’s exploration portfolio and long term value creation.

Join our exceptional team and embody Barrick\'s core values as you work with us. We are in search of individuals who can champion Barrick\'s DNA by:

• Communicating Honestly, Transparently, and Acting with Integrity
• Exhibiting a Results-Driven approach
• Delivering solutions that are Fit for Purpose
• Dedicating themselves to Building a Sustainable Legacy
• Taking Responsibility and being Accountable
• Committing to Zero Harm
• Cultivating strong and meaningful Partnerships

If you\'re ready to contribute to our world-class team while embracing these values, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our diverse workforce.

Responsibilities

Journey to Zero / LTO:

• Ensure all geological work complies with relevant safety procedures, standards, and industry best practices.
• Ensure adherence to all environmental standards and a focus on reinforcing Barrick’s ‘License to Operate’ in the planning and execution of geological work.

Exploration Best Practice:

• Ensure geological excellence in the AME exploration teams by leading and directing teams in the field in Au and Cu exploration best practice.
• Ensure exploration work programs are fit for purpose and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Communicate complex geological findings and recommendations in a clear and concise manner, both in written reports and presentations.
• Instill and maintain the ownership of orebodies by the exploration teams on all projects and ensure high quality geological models are defined for all targets.
• Ensure a healthy exploration pipeline across the region with a well-managed and optimized resource triangle including up to date ASC scoring for all targets.
• Stay abreast of the latest geological research, technologies, and industry trends to drive the development and improvement of geological methodologies, tools, and processes within the organization.
• Lead and/or be a key contributor to generative studies.

Team Leadership

• Instill and reinforce the Barrick DNA in the exploration teams.
• Provide mentorship and training to geologists, fostering skill development and professional growth.
• Identify skill gaps in the team and plan and implement training programs and workshops to address.
• Identify, develop & retain the best talent and ensure leadership & technical skills are appropriate to fulfil the business strategy with a focus on host country nationals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and applicable government departments, Universities, competitors and contractors.
• Leverage contacts to identify and drive the capture of ‘new business’ opportunities with the potential to pass Barrick’s investment filters.
• Owner of the New Business Opportunities tracking system, ensuring full coordination with the Mineral Resource Management Team (MRM), Evaluations Team and Strategic Matters Team.
• Provide expert geological input and lead project reviews through various stages from desktop reviews to NDA/CA to field assessment, ensure alignment with the Legal and Strategic Matters teams and relevant Country and Exploration Managers.
• Strong collaboration with the broader Barrick team to ensure alignment at every stage of the review.
• In partnership with the strategic matters team, negotiate commercial agreements in line with the risk profile of the opportunity.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geology / Geoscience from a recognized institution.
• Advanced Degree (MSc / PhD) will be viewed favourably.

Experience and Skills Requirements

• 15+ years’ experience in greenfield / brownfield exploration, including 5+ years within technical specialist roles.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, community and environment.
• Strong experience assessing and executing new business opportunities, including technical due diligence, project valuation inputs, and risk assessment for acquisition, joint venture, and strategic partnership opportunities.
• Proven leadership in designing and directing generative programs, including target definition, reconnaissance fieldwork, prospect ranking, and pipeline development.
• Extensive experience in orogenic, structurally controlled gold deposits is required.
• Exposure to world class exploration districts and Tier 1 ore bodies, with a track record of discovery seen advantageously.
• Firm understanding and recognition of mineralization models and geological processes.
• Geological / geophysical / geochemical interpretive and integration skills.
• Significant field-based exploration experience in Africa.
• Self-motivated and discovery driven, with focus on leadership.
• Displayed ability to work within high performing, multidisciplinary, successful team.
• Demonstrated proficiency in GIS and 3D geological modelling software. Experience with ArcGIS, Leapfrog Geo, Micromine, ioGAS is considered an asset.
• Ability to deliver concise technical and business focused presentations and reports in simple to understand format to a broad audience of cross functional peers and stakeholders required.
• Good communication and administration skills.
• Continued professional development, technical training and a member of professional organisations.
• Europe or Africa / Middle East based candidates are preferred.

What We Can Offer You

• A comprehensive compensation package including bonuses
• The ability to make a difference and lasting impact
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
• Opportunities to grow and learn with industry colleagues
• Access to a variety of career opportunities across the organization

We are committed to a safe work environment sending every person home safe and healthy every day and leaving a sustainable legacy on our host communities.

Thank you for your application, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.