Exploration Geologist - North West at Tharisa

Role Context

Continuous Improvement

• Develop and deliver robust procedures, processes, systems and capabilities in the resource evaluation domain, to support the workflow of resource evaluation.
• Identify, adopt and internally disperse leading/best practice to enable the development and implementation of plans for the improvement of current systems.
• Recommend and implement technology improvements to sustain improved performance in the resource evaluation domain.

Exploration Geology

• Perform detailed geological data review, by analysing geographic locations in search of natural resources, to determine prospective targets.
• Assess the viability of mining operations by considering geological, environmental and economic factors.
• Perform geological, structural and regolith mapping to collect data on rock formations, minerology and structural characteristics
• Oversee soil sampling, trenching and various forms of exploratory drilling to collect core samples for further analysis, ensuring adequate insertion of Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) samples that enable the performance of geological interpretation.
• Compile and analyse exploration data by reviewing all relevant sources of information to recommend appropriate follow up programs that are able to find minable commodities for Tharisa Minerals.
• Use an understanding of the practical mining implications of geological decisions to inform the design and development of mines and determine the most efficient and effective way to extract metal or minerals.
• Analyse geological data using specialised software and tools to create detailed geological models for Mineral Resource Estimation.
• Integrate and optimise periodical mining models for grade control, reserves and resources.
• Develop detailed Grade Control Models and Resource Models for the mine, projects and scenario evaluation, where required, to provide a predictive view of the distribution, quality and quantity of mineral resources.
• Validate data for the resource evaluation process, by checking the accuracy and appropriateness of the results at each modelling stage, to support accurate predictive models.
• Conduct geological evaluation of resources, including the identification of risks to create signed off Estimations of Mineral Resource and Reserves.

Financial Monitoring and Control

• Prepare budgets and monitor expenditure against budget allocations to complete projects on budget and within planned time frames.
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to select the most appropriate course of action.

Reconciliation

• Develop reconciliation classification and reconciliation techniques from mineral resource, ore reserve, grade control model and metallurgy recoveries models, to manage variance between planned and actual estimated results.
• Develop and understand the reconciliation factors to determine the ability of mining operations to produce the tonnage, grade and contained metal that as per the estimations.

Reporting

• Provide quality technical advice, including the review of major plans and proposals, by drafting comprehensive reports for review by senior management and regulatory agencies, to communicate the potential risks, benefits and uncertainties associated with different mining prospects.  
• Compile Mineral Resource Statements annually (and as required), as well as Competent Person’s report and supporting documentation, to ensure compliance with relevant reporting codes and standards including applicable legal requirements.

Resource Management

• Provide input into required changes in resources (financial or non-financial) to enable the achievement of team and/or own objectives.
• Determine resource needs of the team and/or own area of work to achieve business outcomes.
• Request and allocate required assets and/or resources for the fulfilment of work objectives to guarantee quality outputs.
• Monitor the use of assets and resources within the team and own area of responsibility, to ensure assets and resources are consistently and appropriately utilised and managed.
• Provide staff with day-to-day direction and tasks aligned with Departmental procedures, to enable the usage of less resources more efficiently.

Stakeholder Relations

• Communicate with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of speciality. Liaise across the relevant Departments by engaging with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure all stakeholders remain abreast of Departmental objectives, any potential derailers are appropriately managed and duplication of work is avoided.
• Communicate with internal and/or external stakeholders, where required, to achieve work objectives and to maintain relationships.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Honours Degree (NQF8) in Geology   
• Advanced Degree in Geology with a specialisation in mineralogy, petrology, or economic geology
• Member of professional body (SACNASP)

Certifications:

• Able to qualify as a Competent Person in a commodity.

Job specific experience:

• A minimum of between fifteen to twenty (15-20) years of experience in an exploration and/or mining environment, of which at least three (3) years at a Senior Management level
• Working knowledge of geological software (e.g., ArcGIS, MicroMine, Leapfrog, Surpac, Datamine, Sable etc.) and project peer review
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Good track record of constructive interfacing with and influencing personnel from all related functions/departments
• Resource Modelling and Estimation experience with emphasis on Chrome and PGEs
• Proficient in geological software (Sable, Datamine, Arc GIS)
• General survey knowledge is advantageous
• International geological experience is advantageous
• Good understanding of SAMREC/SAMVAL Codes