Senior Geologist- Open Pit (Porphyry Copper)

Asarco•Kearny, AZ

About The Position

The Senior Mine Geologist is a technical leader at a large-scale open-pit porphyry copper operation producing approximately 120,000 tons per day. Supporting sulfide concentrator and oxide heap leach/SXEW processing circuits, the role focuses on ore control, grade control, geological modeling, reconciliation, and geometallurgical integration to maximize ore recovery, optimize material classification, and improve mine-to-mill performance. The position reports to the Chief Geologist and provides technical leadership to mine geologists and geological technicians. It serves as the primary technical authority for grade control models, drill programs, geological interpretation, and reconciliation, ensuring geological information supports mine planning, operations, metallurgy, and resource management. The role leads the development and upkeep of operational grade control models; generates and validates dig polygons and ore/waste boundaries; and integrates mapping, assays, drilling, and production information. It develops 3D geological models, oversees mapping, logging, and sampling, interprets controls on porphyry copper mineralization, and communicates geological risks and opportunities. The Senior Mine Geologist also leads F1, F2, and F3 reconciliation, investigates variances, recommends improvements to forecasting, and supports resource estimation and model validation. Working closely with Metallurgy, Processing, Mine Engineering, and Operations, the role evaluates geological controls on plant performance and contributes to geometallurgical models and Mine-to-Mill initiatives. It ensures geological data, models, databases, QA/QC records, and reporting meet SEC SK-1300 standards and industry best practices, and provides geological input to resource updates, mine planning, reserve evaluations, geotechnical assessments, waste characterization, and environmental permitting. The position mentors geology staff, establishes technical workflows and standards, may act as geology lead in the Chief Geologist’s absence, and promotes safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, or a related discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive open-pit mine geology experience, with demonstrated expertise in porphyry copper operations.
Strong experience in ore control, grade control modeling, geological interpretation, resource reconciliation, and drill program execution.
Working knowledge of porphyry copper deposit geology, including supergene enrichment, oxide-sulfide transitions, hydrothermal alteration systems, and structural controls on mineralization.
Familiarity with sulfide flotation and oxide heap leach/SXEW processing operations.
Experience with geological modeling and mine planning software such as Leapfrog Geo, Hexagon MinePlan, Vulcan, acQuire, and GIS platforms.
Experience implementing and maintaining QA/QC programs for blast-hole, RC, and diamond drill sampling.
Strong analytical, communication, and technical reporting skills.
Valid Arizona driver’s license.
Ability to work in an active mining environment and perform regular field-based work.

Nice To Haves

8+ years of mine geology experience in large-scale open-pit copper operations.
Experience supporting dual-circuit operations (concentrator and heap leach/SXEW).
Prior supervisory or technical leadership experience.
Professional Geologist (PG), Registered Member (RM), Qualified Person (QP), or eligibility to obtain professional registration.
Experience with geometallurgical modeling and Mine-to-Mill optimization initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead development, maintenance, and refinement of operational grade control models for short- and medium-range mine planning.
Generate and validate dig polygons and ore/waste boundaries for sulfide mill feed and oxide leach material.
Ensure accurate material classification based on copper grade, mineralization style, oxidation state, metallurgical performance, and deleterious elements.
Integrate geological mapping, blast-hole assays, drilling data, and production information into grade control models.
Identify opportunities to improve ore recovery, reduce dilution, and enhance ore-routing decisions.
Develop and maintain 3D geological models of pit conditions, lithology, alteration, structure, and mineralization controls.
Conduct and oversee pit mapping, geological logging, and sampling programs.
Interpret geological controls on mineralization and communicate geological risks and opportunities affecting production, ore quality, or mine planning.
Support resource geology through operational data collection and model validation.
Lead F1, F2, and F3 reconciliation analyses comparing resource models, grade control models, production grades, and plant performance.
Investigate reconciliation variances related to geology, sampling, modeling, or operational factors and recommend improvements to model performance and forecasting accuracy.
Maintain reconciliation databases and prepare technical reports for site leadership.
Support resource estimation through geological interpretations, domain validation, and database reviews.
Collaborate with Metallurgy, Processing, Mine Engineering, and Operations to evaluate geological controls affecting copper recovery, flotation response, ore hardness, acid consumption, and copper solubility.
Support Mine-to-Mill initiatives by identifying rock characteristics that influence drilling, blasting, fragmentation, and throughput.
Contribute to the development and refinement of geometallurgical models and ensure ore-routing decisions are supported by geological, mineralogical, and metallurgical data.
Ensure geological data, models, and reporting comply with SEC SK-1300 standards and industry best practices.
Maintain organized, auditable geological databases, QA/QC documentation, and model archives.
Prepare technical reports supporting resource updates, mine planning, reserve evaluations, and regulatory requirements.
Provide geological input for geotechnical assessments, waste characterization, and environmental permitting activities.
Mentor and provide daily technical guidance to mine geologists and geological technicians.
Establish and maintain standards for geological mapping, logging, sampling, database management, and modeling workflows.
Serve as acting geology lead in the absence of the Chief Geologist.
Participate in production, planning, and cross-functional meetings, providing geological guidance and recommendations.
Promote safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.