Lead Resource Geologist

About the role

The owns the end to end geological strategy that converts raw data into defensible mineral resources and optimized mine plans. You will govern the technical integrity of resource models, ensuring that assumptions, uncertainties, and methodologies are rigorously documented and aligned with industry standards. This role requires you to interpret complex geological relationships in nickel and copper systems and translate them into actionable inputs for mining and engineering teams. You will serve as the primary technical authority responsible for driving resource growth throughout the entire project lifecycle. The position demands a proactive approach to integrating software, data analytics, and field knowledge to solve challenging subsurface problems. You will lead cross functional collaboration to ensure geological risk is clearly communicated and managed during planning and execution. Ultimately, this role is accountable for delivering robust geological evidence that supports sound economic decisions and successful project advancement.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define the geological and mineral resource modeling framework, including assumptions, documentation, uncertainty management, and technical defensibility for Mariana Minerals projects.

Build, update, and maintain resource models that support open pit designs, underground configurations, and economic evaluations using current software and best practices.

Interpret lithology, structural features, alteration patterns, and mineralization by analyzing drilling, mapping, and sampling datasets within nickel and copper systems.

Apply domain based modeling strategies and geostatistical techniques such as domaining, variography, classification, and resource reporting specific to deposit types.

Provide geological input for mine planning and scheduling by defining ore and waste boundaries, analyzing grade trends, and evaluating structural controls.

Develop and implement grade control strategies for both surface and underground operations to ensure accurate ore and waste tracking during production.

Drive near mine resource growth through targeted drilling programs, drill hole prioritization, and model informed exploration initiatives.

Manage reserve conversion processes, including dilution assumptions, modifying factors, and model validation to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Collaborate with mine planners, mining engineers, and geotechnical teams to translate geological risk and uncertainty into clear planning inputs for engineering trade off analyses.

Provide technical support across project stages, from conceptual studies through Pre Feasibility and Feasibility studies, ensuring geological alignment with project objectives.

Maintain high standards for geological data quality, QA QC procedures, and documentation, reviewing and validating drilling, sampling, and assay data before integration.

Ensure all geological deliverables maintain clear assumption records and full traceability in accordance with JORC, NI 43 101, and CRIRSCO aligned reporting frameworks.

Define geological objectives, data requirements, and standards for drilling, logging, and sampling activities to guide field execution and data collection.

Provide geological oversight of field activities, including field mapping, underground mapping, and face mapping, while leading or reviewing reconciliation between models and actual production data.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, or a related discipline is required; a Master's degree is preferred.

You must possess a minimum of 10 years of advancing experience in mine geology or resource geology roles within the minerals sector.

Demonstrated work in open pit and underground mining environments is essential for success in this position.

Specific expertise in nickel and copper mineral systems must be evident through your professional experience and project history.

Strong applied geostatistical skills are required, including proficiency in domaining, variography, classification, and resource reporting methodologies.

Proficiency with geological and modeling software such as Leapfrog, Datamine, Vulcan, or Micromine is necessary to perform core job functions.

You must be able to explain complex geological concepts to non geological stakeholders effectively through clear communication and visualization.

Willingness to operate in both office and field settings depending on project needs is required to fulfill the responsibilities of this role.

Professional Geologist licensure or eligibility is expected as part of the professional standards for this position.

Proven leadership in preparing resource estimates under standards such as NI 43 101 and JORC is necessary for this senior level role.

Experience in greenfield or brownfield exploration linked to active mines is required to support ongoing resource growth and optimization activities.

You must comply with all company policies, safety procedures, and technical standards while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Nice to have

Preferred experience with software first, vertically integrated minerals companies and their unique data and process requirements.

Practical notes

This role requires willingness to operate in both office and field settings depending on project needs.

Professional Geologist licensure or eligibility is expected.

Experience must demonstrate adherence to reporting standards such as JORC, NI 43 101, and CRIRSCO aligned frameworks.