Principal Geologist Operations
Full Time NEW

The Opportunity

The Principal Geologist Operations role is responsible for delivering high?level technical support across all aspects of operational mine geology. This includes guiding grade control processes, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of geological models, overseeing orebody interpretation, and providing critical geological input into short? to medium?term mine planning. The role also supports reconciliation processes, contributes to continuous improvement initiatives, and works closely with operational teams to ensure that geological information is effectively integrated into day?to?day mining decisions. Through strong technical leadership, the Principal Operations Geologist helps optimise ore extraction, minimise geological risk, and uphold best?practice standards across the operation.

Key Accountablities

• Safety – Modelling behaviour that is consistent with the AGA Safety Vision and Values, assisting in driving a culture where Safety is our first value, and providing support for incident/accident investigations where required. 
• Grade Control Management – Proficiency in implementing and optimising grade control systems (e.g., Datamine Ore Controller), including best practice for drilling, sampling and assaying, grade control modelling and ore delineation practices to maximise recovery and minimise dilution.
• Structural Geology Application – Ability to analyse and interpret structural controls on mineralisation and incorporate them into models and mining plans.
• 3D Geological Modelling – Advanced capability with modelling software (e.g., Leapfrog, Datamine, Vulcan) to generate, update, and validate geological models.
• Geostatistics & Resource Estimation – Strong understanding of geostatistical methods, variography, estimation techniques, with experience in grade control modelling workflows.
• Drill Planning & Execution – Skilled in designing, supervising, and optimising RC/DD drilling programs for resource definition and grade control.
• Data Management & QA/QC – Competent in managing geological data (e.g., Fusion, acQuire, DataShed) with rigorous QA/QC oversight for sampling, assaying, drilling and geological logging.
• Operational Mine Geology – Expertise in orebody identification and ore mining practices, including blast movement monitoring in open pit operations, and management of overbreak and underbreak in underground operations.
• Production Tracking – Expertise in ore production tracking, stockpile management and end of month surveying
• Reconciliation & Performance Reporting – Experience in conducting mine to mill reconciliation, variance analysis, and reporting on geological performance.
• Geological Risk Assessment – Skilled in identifying, communicating, and mitigating geological risks affecting production and safety.
• Short- to Medium?Term Mine Planning – Ability to integrate geological inputs into mine plans, stope designs, and production scheduling.
• Software Proficiency – High competence with mine geology software (e.g., Datamine, Vulcan), GIS tools, modelling packages, and data visualisation platforms.
• Ability to apply and uphold AGA’s technical standards and discipline?specific frameworks across mine geology functions.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with geology teams at the operations as well as within the Africa BU and CTO groups.

About You

People are at the heart of everything we do. We want you to collaborate with us, share your ideas and feel confident to challenge the status quo.  To be considered, you will demonstrate: 

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline (required).
• Postgraduate qualification (e.g., Honours, MSc, or PhD in Economic Geology, Mining Geology, or a related field) is highly desirable.
• Relevant training in mine geology, resource estimation, geostatistics, or mineral resource management is an advantage.
• Preferably a member of a recognised professional body such as the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), or the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).

Experience

• 10–15 years’ experience in operational mine geology within open pit and underground gold mining environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading grade control, ore–waste delineation, mapping, logging, and short? to medium?term geological modelling.
• Proven track record in geological interpretation, reconciliation analysis, and driving improvements in orebody knowledge and production performance.
• Significant experience integrating mine geology with mine planning, drill & blast, survey, and processing teams to optimise operational outcomes.
• Experience implementing and maintaining QA/QC systems, geological databases, and sampling/assay protocols.
• Experience participating in or leading technical reviews, audits, and compliance processes aligned with corporate technical governance.
• Exposure to multi?site or regional roles (desirable), preferably within Africa or similar large?scale gold operations.

Culture and Benefits

Our workplace demonstrates dignity and respect for each other, we offer challenging work, highly competitive remuneration that is regularly adjusted to market conditions, and career development opportunities.   At AGA, we consider learning as a shared responsibility, and your personal development is important to us.