Resource Modelling Geologist

We have an exciting opportunity for Resource Modelling Geologist. The purpose of this role is to utilise three-dimensional modelling of geological resources, ensuring the creation, validation, and management of resource models that support accurate deposit evaluation and guide economical or feasible mine planning.

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Guided by our purpose and our values, we enable both high performance and purposeful action as we aim to “re-imagine mining to improve people’s lives", delivering the metals and minerals that make modern life possible – from mobile phones to medicines.

Kumba Iron Ore               

We produce high-grade iron ore, the key component in steel widely used in construction and manufacturing across the world. Our activities include all aspects – exploration; mining; processing and blending; shipping; marketing and selling. In South Africa, we have mining operations in the Northern Cape province, as well as a head office in Rosebank, Gauteng, and a port operation in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape.

As Resource Modelling Geologist your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

Safety, Health, and Environment:

• Adhere to all safety, health and environmental practices and requirements.
• SHE policies and procedures:

• Escalate all unsafe practices or risks to the direct supervisor/manager.
• Support good housekeeping in the department and on-site to ensure compliance.

Data Validation:

• Rigorously validate borehole data for representativity of logs by utilising relevant Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) monitoring data generated by the Borehole Database Manager, Exploration Geologist, or Mining Geologist. Identify and document boreholes unsuitable for sampling, considering all facets of the sampling value chain.
• Maintain comprehensive records of borehole data validation to ensure only representative data are used for resource estimation.

Ore Body Knowledge:

• Acquire in-depth, site-specific knowledge of the ore body (deposit) before commencing modelling activities. Engage with relevant on-site Exploration and Mining Geologists to gain insights into the deposit's ore genesis and tectono-stratigraphic characteristics.
• Identify aspects critical for safe and feasible mining operations, which may necessitate sub-domaining of ore and waste domains. Consider geotechnical factors (e.g., weathering), mining risks (e.g., carbonaceous shale), and beneficiation aspects (e.g., ore textures influencing beneficiation potential).
• Thoroughly review existing reports and studies pertinent to the deposit to enhance understanding and inform modelling.

Solid Modelling

• Execute solid modelling following established site-specific methods, standards, and protocols to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Develop solids models that accurately reflect ore genesis, borehole data, local stratigraphy, and tectonic regimes.
• Establish a repeatable software workflow setup for solid model construction, facilitating seamless updates by other Resource Modelling Geologists unfamiliar with the deposit.
• Assign surface and pit layout and resource shell surfaces, where available, to ensure precision in planning and resource estimation.
• Collaborate with the Borehole Database Manager to conduct writebacks of solids model intersections with boreholes, ensuring a comprehensive three-dimensional interpretation record is maintained.
• Maintain a record of areas of uncertainty regarding ore body continuity interpretations, which may have multiple solutions. This will facilitate constructive peer feedback during review sessions and inform geological confidence classifications by the relevant Mineral Resource Competent Person.

Solids Modelling Validation:

• Create, update and sign off the Geological Medium-Term Model (MTM) in accordance with OMS timelines, standards and governance requirements.
• Validate solids models to ensure full compliance with borehole data, adhering to site-specific modelling resolution rules.
• Execute comprehensive validations to confirm that solids model domains are closed, ensuring no gaps or overlaps exist between model domains.
• Organize and facilitate peer review sessions, inviting Exploration, Mining, Resource Geologists, and Geotechnical Engineers to critically assess the solids model interpretation and its representivity.
• Document findings from peer reviews and a subsequent action list to track whether and how feedback has been addressed in the modelling process.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Run all monthly Value Chain Reconciliation (VCR) processes and provide geological analysis to explain resource, mining and processing variances, including geological losses and gains.
• Compile detailed handover reports using the existing Kumba template to communicate model updates effectively and ensure peers understand all changes associated with the update.
• Meet stakeholders to communicate model outcomes and outline future modelling input requirements.
• Provide accurate geological data to support Value Chain Reconciliation (VCR) efforts and to elucidate geological losses and gains.
• Thoroughly document all modelling processes and maintain meticulous records for auditing purposes and future reference.

This role is in Geology (GEO) department on a Band 6 (D-Upper) level reporting to the Section Manager Production Geology.

• Grade 12
• B.Sc. Geology
• B.Sc. Geology (Hons) is preferred
• SACNASP membership
• SA Drivers Licence Code B

Technical Knowledge

• Previous exploration and Mining Geology with 6-8 years of experience (specific to iron ore).
• Knowledge of tectono-stratigraphy, emphasising how it impacts resource estimation (site-specific orebody knowledge is preferred).
• Knowledge of software used for resource modelling (e.g., Leapfrog and Surpac).
• Basic understanding of mining methods and how resource models are used in mine planning.
• Safety, health and environment, legislative, statutory, and regulatory

• Grade 12
• B.Sc. Geology
• B.Sc. Geology (Hons) is preferred
• SACNASP membership
• SA Drivers Licence Code B

Technical Knowledge

• Previous exploration and Mining Geology with 6-8 years of experience (specific to iron ore).
• Knowledge of tectono-stratigraphy, emphasising how it impacts resource estimation (site-specific orebody knowledge is preferred).
• Knowledge of software used for resource modelling (e.g., Leapfrog and Surpac).
• Basic understanding of mining methods and how resource models are used in mine planning.
• Safety, health and environment, legislative, statutory, and regulatory