Provide technical leadership across geotechnical programmes supporting exploration and early development projects. The role will oversee the collection, interpretation and application of geotechnical data while helping projects transition effectively from exploration through feasibility and into operations.

Company

An established mining company advancing exploration and development activities across three North American operations. The business is strengthening the integration of geotechnical information into exploration, resource development, mine planning and future operational decisions.

Accountabilities

• Provide technical leadership across geotechnical programmes supporting three operations.
• Establish consistent geotechnical standards, methodologies and technical governance across the portfolio.
• Develop and implement protocols for geotechnical core logging, field mapping and structural data collection.
• Collaborate with exploration geologists to design drilling programmes that capture the geotechnical and structural information required for mine planning.
• Guide site teams in developing robust rock mass models and defensible geotechnical interpretations.
• Lead early stability assessments for open pit and underground mining concepts.
• Provide preliminary slope design inputs and ground support recommendations.
• Manage geotechnical databases and ensure information remains accurate, accessible and suitable for technical modelling.
• Develop geotechnical models supporting resource development, mine design and planning decisions.
• Identify geotechnical hazards and provide practical mitigation strategies to exploration and project development teams.
• Review geotechnical risks associated with drilling, field activities and future mining concepts.
• Contribute clear and defensible geotechnical inputs to prefeasibility and feasibility studies.
• Coordinate geotechnical activities across multiple sites and ensure programmes are delivered to the required technical standard.
• Mentor junior geotechnical employees and provide technical training across operations.
• Build internal geotechnical capability through coaching, knowledge transfer and the development of consistent working practices.
• Manage relationships with external consultants, laboratories and specialist software providers.
• Work closely with exploration, resource geology, mine planning, project development and corporate technical teams.
• Ensure all geotechnical activities align with corporate safety and risk management frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering or another relevant discipline with a focus on geotechnics.
• Postgraduate qualification in Rock Mechanics or Geotechnical Engineering would be highly desirable.
• At least 10 years of geotechnical experience, including a minimum of five years within hard rock mining.
• Demonstrated experience supporting exploration or early stage project development.
• Strong capability in geotechnical core logging, structural geology and field mapping.
• Experience developing rock mass models and geotechnical inputs for open pit and underground mining concepts.
• Proficiency with recognised geotechnical and modelling software such as Rocscience, Leapfrog or Datamine.
• Strong project management and technical leadership capability.
• Experience coordinating technical programmes and teams across multiple sites.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with exploration teams, mine planners, project teams and corporate leadership.
• Ability to travel across North America and work within remote field environments.