Geologist - Mine

Northern Star Pogo LLC • Delta Junction, AK

11d • $100,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Mine Geologist reports to the Senior Mine Geologist, and the primary role is to collect primary geological information and perform the underground geological activities required to facilitate the safe, efficient and cost-effective extraction and growth of the mineral reserve within the Pogo Gold Mine area to meet or exceed Northern Star’s performance requirements within the Pogo Geology Department.

Requirements

• Degree majoring in Geology or in an equivalent field.
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Office suite.
• Good communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, set achievable goals and safely achieve tasks is required.
• Ability to work within a team.
• Current Driver’s License.
• Pass a background check and post-offer physical.

Nice To Haves

• Underground production role experience preferred.
• Experience with Vulcan or Leapfrog software preferred.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain or exceed best industry practice in all geological and environmental tasks.
• Ability to adapt and improve procedures and practices.
• First Aid certificate.
• Awareness of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Act & Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare for each shift to ensure that the most urgent and important tasks are performed in the most efficient manner and that all possible relevant information about tasks likely to be encountered during the shift, is collected, and understood before proceeding underground.
• Provide instructions for underground development heading at each round, based on a thorough investigation of, and understanding of, the information available including the geology exposed in the excavation as well as any other relevant information (relevant drill hole intersections, geological mapping of nearby development and resource models of the area) to achieve the most efficient access to and exposure of the ore bodies for extraction.
• Collect samples and mapping information from the development faces to allow evaluation of the ore bodies exposed within the underground excavations.
• Perform geological mapping of all operating ore development and any other development as instructed by the Senior Mine Geologists.
• Communicate geological information in a timely and understandable format to mine personnel outside of the geology department, to assist in the optimisation of the extraction of ore.
• Adhere to all procedures in the collection of data to ensure the highest quality of data is generated in the safest manner both for sampling and mapping.
• Capture all relevant data from the shift into the appropriate data storage systems (electronic and written) before leaving the mine at the end of each shift. This includes downloading and filing face photographs.
• Clearly communicate all relevant information at handovers daily and for the weekly shift handover, both verbally and in writing/electronic format.
• Plan time so that maximum use is made of shift crossovers when additional personnel are on site to perform development mapping.
• Perform end-of-hole checks on diamond drill rigs as required.
• Ensure shift sheet is updated with “ore”, “waste”, “geocheck” or “pending” status on each muckers heading list for the upcoming shift.
• When on night shift, communicate with the Drilling Geologists to ensure awareness of any issues with the current diamond drill holes to ensure informed decisions are made.
• Actively seek to add to the recognized gold endowment of the mine, by identifying additional mineralized structures. Gather assay and spatial data on any additional structures and interpret data with the aid of Senior Geologists. The information should be given to the Senior Geologists and the Drilling and Resource Geologists for follow-up work.
• Actively progress the safety culture at the mine by participating in and promoting safety initiatives (including attendance at safety meetings).
• Provide guidance to the Geological Technician on your shift as to the work that you require them to perform and contribute to the safe and efficient use of their time.
• Contribute to the continual improvement and updating of the geology procedures to ensure the most efficient use of available resources. Perform task observations as required to ensure compliance to standards.
• Interpret the data collected on a regular basis and communicate relevant information to the appropriate personnel (Senior Geologists, Planning Engineers, Surveyors, Mine Foremen).
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and statutory requirements to minimize NSR’s risk exposure and liabilities.
• Demonstrate commitment to the NSR values.
• Perform all general tasks as instructed by the Senior Geologists or the Geology Manager.
• Review all data from the Production Geologists for the past two shifts to identify and correct any data entry errors discovered. Pass corrected information to Database Central and investigate methods to eliminate any systematic or common errors identified.
• Check the shift sheet as early as possible each day to validate that the information on it with special attention paid to which headings are on geological check and which are on geology or survey control. Also ensure the material status is correct for each heading.
• Perform a daily review (at or after the shift handover) of all headings visited by the underground production geologists to attempt to identify and minimise the impact of any errors made due to production pressures or incomplete knowledge. Correct any errors where possible and bring any potential future problems to the attention of the senior geologists and other relevant people.
• Ensure that the diamond drill core is logged in an accurate and timely manner each day.
• Ensure important features are recorded when logging a hole, such as: location of the drilled hole and the purpose of the drilled hole.
• Validate the drill hole logging once the hole is complete.
• Perform the daily production reconciliation accurately and ensure that the daily production report is sent out in a timely manner.
• Ensure the daily heading status sheet is updated with the most recent assay results and a copy is sent out via email to the “Heading status sheet group”.
• Perform development mapping as required or requested by senior geologist.
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in all safety, planning and production meetings and communicate all pertinent information to the relevant people before or at the meetings as appropriate.
• Ensure Iregs and face chips are up to date using the most recent survey as-builts.
• Attend all shift handover meetings and assist by communicating any new information that you may become aware of or any interpretations of information that you may have made during the day to the attending Senior Geologist.
• Contribute to the continual improvement and updating of the geology procedures to ensure the most efficient use of available resources and perform task observations to ensure compliance to standards as required.
• Assist with the training of new Production Geologists in the section as required.
• Identify and collect information on common errors performed by the Geologists or Geological Technicians and present the information at the weekly shift handover meeting, showing the correct procedures to promote continuous improvement in the department.
• Perform all general tasks as instructed by the senior geologists or the Geology Manager.
• Other duties as required.

Benefits

• Permanent position and extended mine-life offering job security.
• Excellent remuneration package with bonuses, insurances, 401k and paid leave.
• Ongoing development opportunities and growth within a company that continuously invest in their people.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level