This role is responsible for the safe and timely acquisition, management, and quality control of mine-site geological, grade control, and geometallurgical data. The Geotechnician will plan and execute drilling and sampling activities, manage sample preparation and dispatch, support geometallurgical testwork, and ensure data integrity through validation and QA/QC protocols. The role supports operational decision-making, ore control, reconciliation, and processing performance within the Geology department.

Responsibilities

• Consistently apply Safety and health principles in all team interactions and take personal responsibility for the safety of self and others to ensure zero harm and elimination of fatalities.
• Plan and Execute (Mine-site): Effectively plan and execute grade control and/or operational drilling support (e.g., RC/blast hole campaigns where applicable), in-pit mapping and face sampling activities to delineate ore/waste boundaries and improve short-term ore control.
• Sampling Protocols (Grade Control & Geometallurgy): Execute operational sampling to approved SOPs (blast hole/RC where applicable, face/bench, chip/channel, ROM/stockpile and metallurgical samples), including correct intervals, contamination control, compositing rules, sample mass requirements and field documentation.
• Sample Preparation, Dispatch & Chain of Custody: Prepare, label, seal and dispatch samples; maintain chain-of-custody and dispatch registers; manage sample storage, retention and reconciliation; and follow up on lab turnaround times and non-conformances.
• Geometallurgical Testwork Support: Assist Geometallurgists with sample selection (domains/variability), compositing plans and testwork submissions; coordinate with internal/external laboratories for comminution, beneficiation and metallurgical characterisation programmes; and capture testwork metadata and results in the designated systems.
• Data Management: Ensure timely capture and import of geological, sampling, geochemical and geometallurgical datasets (including metadata such as sample types, weights, composites and dispatch information) into the designated systems (e.g., Acquire) after logging, sampling, pit mapping and testwork activities.
• Data Validation: Conduct thorough validation of all geological information about specified areas, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Database & Sample Inventory Management: Update and maintain mine geology/grade control and geometallurgy databases with processed drilling, mapping, sampling, dispatch and testwork data; maintain secure sample inventories (core/bagged samples/pulps/rejects) and ensure information availability and traceability at all times.
• Quality Assurance (Field & Laboratory): Apply and monitor QA/QC protocols (standards, blanks, duplicates, umpire checks where applicable); verify sample integrity and chain-of-custody; review laboratory certificates; log and drive resolution of QA/QC failures and non-conformances to meet audit and governance requirements.
• Spatial Validation: Conduct spatial validation for all drilled borehole collars and depth information to ensure data integrity.
• Interval, Recovery & Sample Integrity Checks: Verify drilling and sampling parameters (interval compliance, recovery, core orientation where applicable, contamination/oversize management, moisture controls) and ensure samples are representative and suitable for geometallurgical testwork.
• Geometallurgical Measurements (as required): Assist with field and/or sample-based measurements such as bulk density/SG determinations, moisture, particle size distribution (PSD) and sample mass checks in support of geometallurgical domains and process design inputs.
• QAQC Reporting Assistance: Assist the site QAQC champion in generating comprehensive reports regarding Production Geology QAQC and support ad-hoc project initiatives.
• Operations Support: Collaborate with Production Geologists, Grade Control and Processing/Metallurgy to support ad-hoc operational improvement initiatives and incorporate fit-for-purpose technologies where appropriate.

Requirements

• Grade 12/N3 Technical
• Higher National Vocational qualification on NQF5
• SA Drivers Licence Code B
• 3-5 years of relevant operational experience in a Geology environment.
• A thorough understanding of geological concepts, including rock types, sedimentology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and structural geology.
• Familiarity with geospatial data collection, analysis, and management, including using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and database management systems.
• Understanding various geological sampling methods and laboratory analytical techniques, including sample preparation, compositing, and chemical analysis procedures.
• Understanding of sampling theory, representativity, compositing strategies and laboratory analytical techniques, including sample preparation, dispatch, chain-of-custody and management of standards/blanks/duplicates.
• An understanding of how to implement safety protocols and environmental management systems.
• Familiarity with methods for data interpretation, including the ability to analyse and synthesise geological data into coherent reports.
• Working knowledge of geometallurgical testwork concepts and datasets (e.g., comminution and beneficiation characterisation), including the importance of bulk density/SG, moisture, PSD and domain-based variability for mine-to-mill decision making.

Nice to have

• Diploma in Geology on NQF6 is preferred
• Registered (candidate) with SACNASP is preferred