Senior Database Geologist

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: 

The Senior Database Geologist will be responsible for leading the management, validation, quality assurance and integrity of geological data and databases, ensuring accurate, secure and timely geological information is available to support resource definition, grade control, resource modelling and mine planning activities in alignment with the organisation’s operational and long-term objectives.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Your key accountabilities include: 

• Ensuring the integrity, accuracy, completeness and security of geological databases through effective database management, validation and quality control processes.
• Managing the timely capture, validation and integration of drilling, geological logging, sampling, assay, survey and other geological datasets into the geological database.
• Establishing, maintaining and continuously improving geological database standards, procedures, validation rules and data governance protocols.
• Managing the receipt, validation and loading of laboratory assay results and ensure that all QAQC requirements are completed, monitored and reported within required timelines.
• Conducting routine database audits and identifying and resolving data quality issues, including missing, duplicate, inconsistent or erroneous geological information.
• Ensuring geological data is appropriately structured, backed up, secured and readily accessible to authorised users while maintaining effective version and change control.
• Coordinating with Production, Resource, Exploration and Project geologists to ensure geological data requirements are clearly defined and delivered within agreed operational and project timelines.
• Managing drillhole database activities, including collar, survey, lithology, alteration, mineralisation, geotechnical, sampling and assay information.
• Providing validated geological datasets and database extracts required for grade control, geological interpretation, resource estimation, reconciliation, mine planning and technical studies.
• Maintaining and monitoring sampling and assay QAQC systems, including standards, blanks, duplicates and laboratory performance, and escalate identified failures or non-conformances.
• Liaising with laboratories and geological teams to track sample submissions, assay turnaround times and outstanding results and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Providing technical guidance, mentoring and quality oversight to Database Geologists and geological personnel involved in data collection and database management.
• Developing and maintaining routine database reports and dashboards to monitor drilling progress, sampling, assay status, QAQC performance and overall database completeness.
• Supporting Mineral Resource estimation and reporting by ensuring that geological datasets used for modelling and estimation are validated, traceable and fit for purpose.
• Ensuring effective documentation and communication of database changes, outstanding data issues and key activities, including clear handovers during periods of absence.
• Driving continuous improvement and automation of geological data workflows to improve data quality, efficiency, traceability and timely availability of geological information.
• Ensuring geological data collection, validation, storage and reporting comply with established company standards, the JORC Code, NI 43-101 requirements and recognised industry best practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE: 

• Bachelor of Science in Geology or any other related field
• Minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience in the mining industry
• Proven knowledge and experience in geological database management systems (Micromine Geobank Database) and associated data validation, auditing, querying, extraction, governance and reporting processes.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft SQL (querying, data extraction, data cleaning, validation and database troubleshooting)
• Strong working knowledge of geological software packages such as Leapfrog, Datamine and Vulcan, together with Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel.
• Sound knowledge of geological sampling processes and Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) principles, including standards, blanks, duplicates and laboratory data management.
• Good understanding of geological data collection, validation, storage, security, traceability and data governance requirements.
• Ability to produce geological plans and spatial data outputs using GIS packages such as QGIS, ArcGIS and MapInfo.
• Working knowledge of geological database requirements supporting Mineral Resource estimation, grade control, reconciliation and technical reporting.