Resource Geologist

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

 

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

 

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

 

Job description:

Purpose

 

The role provides operational support to FQM’s Kansanshi mining operations and is collaborative in its design. Regular cross-functional interaction within the Mine Technical Services (MTS) team is paramount. Regular team interactions with peers and seniors will ensure alignment and direct efforts to support production- and grade control geology functions. The purpose of the role is to generate reliable geologic models and interpretations of the Kansanshi deposit geology, using validated data. These interpretations will serve as inputs for mine- and business planning processes and must as such be accurate representations of Kansanshi’s deposit geology.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

General

 

• You will be required to adhere to all relevant requirements, policies, procedures and legal regulations pertaining to health, safety, environment and quality, as well as finance, human resources, and any other regulations as required by the company and relevant to the level of the role and responsibilities of the function.

 

 

Technical Leadership

 

• Assist with increasing technical capacity within the resource development function in the Geology department, with the FQM business strategy, and proactively collaborating with the team to achieve long-, medium- and short-term objectives.

Safety and Environment

 

• Ensure that all activities are conducted to the highest standards of safety, health and environmental performance.
• Contribute to maintaining and improving the site safety, health and environmental awareness/ culture.
• Ensure that Resource and GC projects are compliant with KMP’s and Zambian Statutory Safety requirements.

 

 

Key areas of Responsibility

 

• Foster a safety culture and safe work practices.
• Data collection and interpretation – (mapping, drillhole logging, geophysical data etc.)
• Data quality assurance and control in a competent and diligent manner. Provide validated geological data to enable weekly updates of the Grade Control model.
• Deliver the work of the resource development geology function, within approved budget targets and specified timeframes, costs and related KPIs.
• Demonstrate a strong focus on model wireframe reconciliation with an ability to interrogate the causes of changes to models and demonstrate the impact on the resulting model;
• Maintain a strong involvement with the QA/QC function in order to ensure the quality of data supporting the resource models.
• Guide appropriate sampling practices at the mine.
• Ensure that all functional activities are carried out diligently and with necessary competence in accordance with KMP guidelines and policies.
• Collaborate and contribute to annual work programmes within budget and timelines.
• Contribute towards the continuous improvement of FQM’s mining operations.
• Identify areas of improvement within the current geological understanding that affects resource development and grade control systems and development approaches.
• Collaborate or provide input to studies to resolve/ improve the above (optimal sample studies, sample bias studies, drill spacing optimization studies, orientation studies, KNA Analysis, estimation parameter optimization, Conditional Simulations, etc.).
• Collaborate with the development and implementation of on-going geological/ mineralogical/ geo-metallurgical characterization studies and programmes – which might include drilling and sampling.
• Assist with Reconciliation, Data Analysis and Model Calibration Studies, to ensure the highest quality models.
• Provide input to develop, enhance, and maintain geological and resource models and routines.
• Collaborate with the development and maintenance of combined models for use in downstream processes.
• All other duties as directed by the Geology Manager or Geology Superintendent.
• Conduct implicit and/or explicit geological wireframe modelling updates based on representative validated borehole and geological pit mapping data as per the required operation and project planning time cycles.
• Identify and summarise the specific geological risks (model, sampling etc.) within the working area and implement plans/system to avoid these risks.
• Assist in maintaining a validated borehole database and generate representative geological wireframe model inputs to the development of medium-term geological models to inform medium-term mine planning for Kansanshi Mine.
• Integrate processes enabling a clear understanding of the local geology of deposit to be modelled in terms of ore genesis and tectonostratigraphic relationships by considering reconciliation of previous wireframe models, where available, and by liaising with Exploration and Production Geologists generating information on the relevant deposit.

 

 

Audits and Reporting

 

• Assist with the development of relevant Operational Quality Assurance and Control (QA/QC) and Reporting Systems (e.g. RC/ DD Sample QC and reporting/ Ore Accounting and Reconciliation data quality control and reporting).
• Annual/ Quarterly/ Ad hoc Audit/ Compliance Reports.
• Assist with coordination and development of Kansanshi Mining Plc’s Annual Resource reporting process.  Ensure that the reporting is done to the requirements specified in the applicable reporting codes (NI 43-101).

 

 

Capacity Building

 

• Technical knowledge sharing.
• Mentoring of Geological personnel in industry best practice approaches and techniques related to geological modelling, geological logging and geological data QA/QC practices.
• Assist with the development of standards, functional departmental plans, policies, procedures and best practice standards.
• Systems integration.
• Provide training on an on-going basis, with a particular focus on Zambian nationals/employees.

 

Qualifications/ Registrations

 

• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Geology or equivalent qualification.
• Registration with a recognised professional organization (ROPO) – e.g. Pr. Sci. Nat.; P. Geo., etc.

 

Experience

 

• Minimum of 4-7 years in resource/mining geology.
• Previous experience in base metals and gold would be advantages.
• Experience in drillhole core/ RC sample chip logging, field and pit mapping, geological modelling.
• Experience in field mapping.
• Knowledgeable understanding of Mining, Geology and Mining Processes and Integration.
• Demonstrated experience in developing standards, policies and procedures.
• Former demonstrated Value Chain Reconciliation experience is advantageous.
• Good verbal and written skills in English.
• Able to work in a dynamic team environment.
• An eye for detail and the ability to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Able to collaborate with team members and provide guidance where required.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Suite of Software.
• Experience in the following software packages such as – Datamine Studio RM™, Leapfrog Geo™, Snowden Supervisor™.
• Good understanding of database and data management principles and systems (i.e. DataShed, Acquire, LIMS etc.) advantageous.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

 

• Emotionally mature.
• High level of integrity.
• Quality orientated.
• Detail-orientated with the technical aptitude and ability to perform tasks accurately and comprehensively
• Tenacious.
• Energetic and resilient.
• Adaptable.
• Assertive.
• Accountable
• Leadership
• Team player
• Effective Communication
• Ability to influence managers and employees.
• Critical thinking
• Conflict Management
• Expert in multi-tasking, time management and planning of work
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to work in pressured and deadline-driven operating environment

 

 

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

• Medically Fit.
• In Possession of a valid driver’s license.