Geology Operations Manager

The Company
Our client operates on a large-scale copper and cobalt deposits, both open pit and underground, with high-grade mineral reserves. Metals production is conducted using up-to-date metallurgical processing. They are one of the world’s largest diversified natural resource companies, producing and marketing over 90 commodities worldwide. The company’s operations include copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and precious metals mining.
 
The Role
The role reports to the General Manager of Mining Technical Services, the Manager of Geological Operations and ensures safe, efficient and cost-effective operational control. He/she directs geological operations.
 
He/She will define and direct the department’s strategies for exploration, resource definition and grade control drilling, underground and surface mining geology and production estimation activities in line with the company’s needs, budget and asset life plan.
 
The Responsibilities

• His/her responsibilities include (but are not limited to) :
• Facilitate cooperation and collaboration between departments to maximize business value.
• Ensure that site and corporate strategic initiatives are translated into departmental business objectives.
• Ensure safety-conscious operational discipline, enhance value and promote employee advancement within Geology Operations to successfully and safely meet departmental commitments and objectives.
• Work 80% of the time on site with a 1-3 year budget horizon.
• Champions and models proactive management of high-risk tasks, lethal hazard protocols, critical controls, corporate risks and local mining regulations.
• Defines and sets health and safety expectations in line with industry best practice.
• Empowers the Operational Geology team to make risk-based health and safety decisions.
• Lead the development and execution of safety improvement initiatives in support of the corporate plan.
• Leads safety management and contractor engagement for geology operations.
• Define high-quality budgets and forecasts that align with the company’s tactical and strategic objectives.
• Manage the company’s operational and capital costs in line with budget and forecast commitments.
• Maintain strict cost and performance discipline through effective mid-month and month-end financial processes. Regularly analyze expenses, commitments and physical statements to address variances.
• Meet reporting deadlines and standards, including month-end processes.
• Engage and manage contractors effectively by adhering to contractor management, procurement and billing procedures and processes.
• Demonstrate the highest standards without compromise, supporting and living the company’s values.
• Behave as a role model and act as a coach and inspiration to managers and supervisors.
• Actively seek to develop employees through succession planning and skills development.
• Ensure that all staff understand the relevant strategies and operational objectives; translate the plan and vision into day-to-day activities.
• Define and communicate clear accountabilities, supported by meaningful and appropriate key performance indicators. Measure performance and provide feedback against these indicators.
• Develop a succession plan and ensure that department-wide succession planning and handover of roles is supported.
• Lead successful geological operations, identifying and ensuring that the necessary skills, equipment, systems and materials are defined, planned, available and maintained.
• Establish and pursue surface and underground exploration, infill drilling and grade control strategies and programs, with supporting key performance indicators, to enable and support current and future production.
• Implement, monitor and maintain effective QA/QC practices in all geological activities, ensuring that tasks are completed and data managed within the required schedule, quality and reproducibility.
• Collaborate effectively with metallurgy to understand ore feed requirements for the various milling and refining circuits, and to characterize the geological and metallurgical properties of current and future ores.
• Ensure availability of drilled, estimated and delineated ore and waste material for surface operations at least three months prior to mine selection.
• Planning and programming
• Plan and execute exploratory and infill drilling, sampling and assaying activities, as well as geological interpretation, within budget and asset life commitments.
• Establish, communicate and control quality and performance standards, integrating a philosophy of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Monitor and track performance against plans and key performance indicators, addressing variances in a timely manner to ensure departmental commitments, goals and objectives are met.

 
 
The Requirements

• A University Bachelors Degree in Geology, Geotechnics, Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Post-graduate studies will be considered favorably.
• Considerable experience in open pit and underground mine geology, including water content control practices.
• At least 15 years’ professional experience in the industry, including at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Have strong supervisory and leadership skills, experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical thinking skills.
• Tactical and strategic planning skills.
• Proven ability to coach and develop teams.
• Strong critical, analytical and creative thinking skills.
• Strong ability to translate technical ideas into practical solutions.
• Have a good understanding of best practices in Geological Operations safety.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Knowledge of French or Swahili will be considered an advantage.

 
The Rewards
The position offers a competitive remuneration package.
 
Contact Us
Please apply directly by submitting your resume, preferably as a Microsoft Word document.