Principal Geologist - Mineral Exploration

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary bonus

Benefits package

Hybrid work

Professional development

Career advancement

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Geologist to lead exploration strategy and geological modeling in Klerksdorp, SA. You will guide target generation, oversee drilling programs, and develop resource estimations using Leapfrog and Vulcan, shaping discovery potential.

You will mentor teams, drive strategic growth while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in a hybrid work environment across diverse geological settings.

Qualifications

• MSc or Ph.D. in Geology, Economic Geology, or a related earth science discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in mineral exploration, with a strong focus on gold, PGMs, or base metals.
• Proven track record of discovering economically viable mineral deposits.
• Expertise in geological mapping, structural analysis, and orebody modeling software (Leapfrog, Vulcan).
• Strong understanding of geostatistics and resource estimation methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive mineral exploration programs, including target generation and prospect evaluation.
• Lead the interpretation of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to identify and delineate mineralized zones.
• Oversee the planning and supervision of drilling campaigns and other exploration activities.
• Create detailed geological models and resource estimations using advanced software.
• Provide expert geological advice and mentorship to exploration teams.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards in exploration activities in Klerksdorp.

Skills

Geology

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Geostatistics

Education

MSc or Ph.D. in Geology

Tools

Leapfrog

Vulcan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the mining and exploration sector, is seeking a distinguished Principal Geologist to join their Scientific Research & Development team in Klerksdorp . This senior role is crucial for guiding exploration strategies, identifying new mineral deposits, and overseeing advanced geological modeling and analysis. You will leverage cutting-edge techniques and extensive field experience to assess resource potential and drive strategic growth. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of mineral discovery, working within a company committed to sustainable practices and technological innovation, with a hybrid work model to facilitate flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive mineral exploration programs, including target generation and prospect evaluation.
• Lead the interpretation of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to identify and delineate mineralized zones.
• Oversee the planning and supervision of drilling campaigns and other exploration activities.
• Create detailed geological models and resource estimations using advanced software.
• Provide expert geological advice and mentorship to exploration teams.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental regulations and safety standards in exploration activities in Klerksdorp .

Requirements

• MSc or Ph.D. in Geology, Economic Geology, or a related earth science discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in mineral exploration, with a strong focus on gold, platinum group metals, or base metals.
• Proven track record of discovering economically viable mineral deposits.
• Expertise in geological mapping, structural analysis, andorebody modeling software (e.g., Leapfrog, Vulcan).
• Strong understanding of geostatistics and resource estimation methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure tied to discovery success.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and life insurance.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement supporting remote collaboration and on-site fieldwork.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Opportunity to work on high-impact exploration projects in diverse geological settings.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment focused on achieving exploration excellence.