CHIEF GEOLOGIST – omicocopper

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the geological database, including drillhole data, assay results, lithological and structural interpretations, and quality assurance and quality control (QA / QC) records.
• Lead ongoing geological interpretation and update of the 3D geological model.
• Oversee resource estimation processes, ensuring compliance with JORC Code 2012 (or NI 43-101 / SAMREC) reporting standards.
• Review and validate resource classification, grade estimation methodology, and model validation statistics.
• Support Competent Person / Qualified Person sign-off and coordinate with external consultants.
• Lead annual (or more frequent) resource model updates incorporating new drilling, grade control, and reconciliation data to maintain a current and auditable mineral resource statement.
• Design, plan, and supervise infill, extensional, and geotechnical drilling programs aligned with PFS data requirements.
• Manage drill contractors, ensuring safety compliance, operational efficiency, and data quality.
• Supervise core logging, sampling, and sample submission workflows.
• Oversee downhole geophysics acquisition and interpretation.
• Implement and maintain rigorous QA / QC procedures including certified reference materials (CRMs), blanks, and duplicates.
• Plan and sequence grade control drilling programs (reverse circulation (RC) and / or diamond) based on the geological model, resource domains, and mine planning requirements – and manage the full grade control drilling cycle including contractor management, logging, sampling, and data turnaround.
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor grade control geologists, production geologists, and geological technicians to build a capable and safety-focused mine geology team.
• Integrate grade control assay results into the short-term grade control block model and reconcile continuously with the mine resource model to identify and explain grade and tonnage variances.
• Deliver the short-term grade control model to the mine planning and fleet management system (e.g. Dispatch, Modular, Wenco) to ensure the practical daily and weekly mining plan reflects actual ore geometry.
• Plan and delineate ore blocks; define ore / waste boundaries on bench faces and ensure mining contractors follow the geological plan and dig limits.
• Manage production geologists to guarantee a consistent, well-characterised ore supply to the mill – including real-time monitoring of ore quality and timely communication of any short-term changes in ore type, grade, or hardness to the processing department.
• Liaise closely with the Metallurgy and Processing teams to flag blending requirements, ore variability, and any geologically-driven changes to feed characteristics that may affect plant performance.
• Conduct and report monthly mine-to-mill reconciliation with the processing department, comparing geological model predictions against actual mill feed, recovery, and production data; identify root causes of discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Provide timely geological input into short-term (weekly / monthly), medium-term (quarterly), and long-term (annual / life-of-mine) mine plans to ensure consistent ore supply, sequencing integrity, and that mining activities are aligned with the geological model.
• Implement and control a geotechnical monitoring program for open pit walls, utilising appropriate technologies including slope stability radar (SSR / IBIS), LiDAR survey, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) / drone-based photogrammetric monitoring.
• Interpret geotechnical monitoring data, identify early warning indicators of slope instability, and escalate to the Geotechnical Engineer and Mine Manager in accordance with the site trigger action response plan (TARP).
• Monitor hydrogeological conditions within and surrounding the pit, assess the impact of pore water pressure on pit wall stability, and collaborate with the Geotechnical team and Hydrogeologist on the design and implementation of long-term pit dewatering and depressurisation programs.
• Ensure geotechnical and hydrogeological monitoring obligations are integrated into the mine plan and that findings are incorporated into ongoing pit design reviews.
• Provide geological inputs to the PFS and DFS including geological sections, block model delivery, variography, and pit optimisation data.
• Liaise with mining engineers, metallurgists, environmental specialists, and geotechnical engineers on domain definition, ore / waste classification, and pit design parameters.
• Contribute to mine planning through mineralogical and geochemical characterisation studies.
• Support metallurgical test work by ensuring representative and well-characterised sample selection.
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor geologists and geological technicians to build a capable and safety-focused exploration geology team.
• Develop and execute near-mine and regional exploration programs to identify satellite deposits and resource extensions.
• Manage soil geochemistry, geological mapping, trenching, and geophysical survey programs.
• Identify and evaluate new drill targets using structural, geochemical, and geophysical data integration.
• Manage near-mine exploration efforts with the specific objective of replacing and growing the resource base in parallel with active mining operations; ensure near-mine drill programs are optimally integrated with the mine schedule to minimise operational conflict.
• Prepare and present exploration results and resource growth strategies to management and board.
• Author and review technical reports including JORC / NI 43-101-compliant resource reports, exploration updates, and internal technical memos.
• Ensure all public disclosures comply with applicable securities and reporting codes.
• Maintain comprehensive and auditable geological records per industry best practice.
• Prepare technical sections for investor presentations, regulatory submissions, and financing documentation.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team including senior, project, and junior geologists, field technicians, and core handlers.
• Recruit and develop geology personnel as the project transitions to operations; establish clear roles, workflows, and performance standards for the geology teams.
• Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and support career development, with a commitment to the development of Namibian nationals.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, safety, and ethical conduct.
• Manage relationships with government geology departments, local communities, and academic institutions.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of mining best-practice Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, particularly as they apply to open pit operations, drill-and-blast environments, and working on active mine benches – in full compliance with the Namibian Minerals Act, Mine Health and Safety regulations, and company standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture within the geology department.
• Participate in site safety inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Ensure environmental obligations related to drilling and exploration activities are met, including rehabilitation of disturbances.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Geology, Geological Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in the mining industry, with at least 5 years in a senior geological role on base-metals (copper preferred) projects.
• Demonstrated experience in resource estimation and geological modelling (Leapfrog Geo, Vulcan, Datamine, or equivalent).
• Proven experience in open pit mine geology, grade control, and / or production geology – including design and management of grade control drilling programs, grade control model updates, ore block definition, and mine-to-mill reconciliation.
• Proven experience managing drilling campaigns and geological teams on greenfield or brownfield projects.
• Working knowledge of NI 43-101, JORC Code 2012, or SAMREC reporting standards.
• Sound understanding of copper deposit geology including supergene / hypogene systems and structural controls.
• Demonstrated experience working through at least one PEA-to-PFS or PFS-to-DFS project transition.
• Familiarity with geotechnical and slope monitoring technologies (slope radar, LiDAR, UAV photogrammetry) and appreciation of the interaction between geology, hydrogeology, and pit wall stability.
• Strong knowledge of open pit mine planning processes including short-, medium-, and long-term planning cycles, and the role of geology in ore supply planning to the mill.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Salary

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and the expanded scope of the role. Performance-based bonus aligned with resource growth, grade control accuracy, reconciliation performance, and project advancement milestones. Accommodation and meals provided on-site. Return flights to point of hire (for expatriate hires). Medical insurance, emergency evacuation coverage, and personal accident insurance.

How to Apply