Senior (Project) Geophysicist, AEA

We’re re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives. That includes the lives of everyone who works for Anglo American. We strive to be a great company where employees are happy, inspired to do their best work. A place where every colleague can grow, develop and realise their potential. To live up to our Always with Purpose employee value proposition, we’re putting the development and growth of colleagues first by ensuring everyone at Anglo American has the career experience they deserve.

To carry out and manage survey design, acquisition, processing, inversion, and integrated interpretation of geophysical data for Discovery and near-asset programs in the Africa-Europe-Australasia region, and elsewhere globally if required, with a primary focus on sediment-hosted copper and orthomagmatic polymetallic sulphide systems.

KEY TASKS

Technical

Accountable for the incorporation of sound geophysical theory and methodology with mineral systems knowledge to advance project decisions.

Integrated Interpretation and Targeting

• Map sedimentary basin architecture by integrating potential field, electromagnetic and seismic data with petrophysics. The exploration approach in the Central African Copperbelt is increasingly a basin-analysis approach, and the role is expected to drive that style of thinking.
• Geophysical interpretation: contribute the geophysical component to integrated interpretations developed collaboratively with project geologists, geochemists and structural specialists, improving geological models and identifying new targets.
• Interpret geophysical results against multiple working geological hypotheses, collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary geoscience team to target the mineral system in the context of all available geoscience data.
• Support generative framework mapping of crustal-scale geological features and processes using deep-penetrating geophysical methods to define permissive search spaces across scales for superior-value mineral systems.

Methods, Processing, Modelling and Inversion

• Personally carry out processing, forward modelling and inversion of geophysical data using industry and in-house codes.
• Build potential field forward models to test geological hypotheses across scales.
• Populate 3D geological models with physical rock properties, forward model the geophysical response, and run geologically constrained inversions to test and refine mineral system hypotheses.
• Test, evaluate and implement innovative geophysical acquisition and processing technologies.
• Apply ground and airborne electromagnetic methods to image subsurface geology, from sedimentary marker horizons through to direct targeting of massive sulphides.
• Apply potential fields, MT, passive and reflection seismic methods, matching the survey plan to the geological question, and integrate the products with other geophysical and geological datasets to drive mineral system insights.

Regional Datasets and Compilation

• Compile, level and merge magnetic and gravity surveys of different vintages and specifications into seamless regional datasets for basin-scale interpretation and targeting. Building and maintaining these compilations is an ongoing part of this role.

Survey Planning and Design

• Right data at the right time: deliver fit-for-purpose geophysical data to support project decisions.
• Translate the project’s geological questions into geophysical options and rank them by their impact on key project decisions relative to cost, time and execution risk.
• Fit-for-purpose surveys: apply sampling theory principles and Group standards to survey design, specifications, contract development and data-quality requirements.

Field Quality Control

• Contractor survey QA/QC: conduct on-site QA/QC to verify that geophysical data meet contract specifications, check final deliverables for completeness against the scope of work, and resolve discrepancies directly with the contractor.

Communication of Geophysical Information

• Communicate key geophysical insights effectively across the project team to support multidisciplinary geoscience integration and identify opportunities to create value.

Community & Social Performance

• Ensure that geophysical programs are implemented according to SHEC policies and standards.
• Obtain and maintain social license to operate by building relationships and collaborating with key stakeholders.
• Support the planning and implementation of field and desktop assessment of new opportunities/projects.
• Lead field assistants and support personnel, including contractor management.

Logistics

• Liaise professionally with internal and external key stakeholders to ensure best practice in the implementation of field programs, including close collaboration with the SHEC Specialist.
• Manage contractors and service providers, ensuring all activities are completed safely and within planned budgets and timeframes that support the operation.
• Comply with jurisdictional and D&G standards and procedures.
• Contribute to the maintenance of safety and health management systems and monthly financial acquittals.

Safety, Health & Environment

• Consistently apply Safety & Health principles across all work programs, taking personal responsibility for the safety of self and others to support zero harm and the elimination of fatalities.
• Act as a role model and reinforce a workplace culture where health and safety are paramount.

People & Teams

• Be a leader in the purpose-led, high-performing culture within the discipline that is aligned with the company values, is inclusive and promotes diversity.
• Act as a role model and actively engage as a team member in all team processes.
• Set clear and consistent expectations, encourage team members to challenge the status quo and strive for improvements.

• Minimum of a B.Sc. degree or equivalent in Geophysics (post-graduate degree preferred).
• English fluency (required).

Role-specific knowledge and experience:

• At least 8 years of relevant experience; appointment at Senior level would typically reflect around 10 years or more.

• A sustained career in applied geophysics, with continued personal involvement in data processing, modelling and interpretation.
• Sound technical experience in managing field logistical programs in geoscience and exploration and/or mining operations.
• Knowledge of general management practices in an applied technical environment; e.g. budget, accounting, governance.
• People skills that ensure a collaborative working environment.
• Coordinate program scoping, contract development, field supervision, QA/QC and data delivery.
• Apply Value of Information principles to exploration decision making.
• An interpretation approach grounded in petrophysics: understand the geology that geophysics can image and relate that geology to the mineral system.
• Understanding of sedimentary basins and how geophysics images their architecture.
• Exploration experience with sediment-hosted copper or other sediment-hosted base metal systems would be an advantage.
• Basin-focused experience gained in the petroleum industry is directly relevant and strong candidates from that background are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated expertise in the processing and interpretation of magnetic and gravity data, including the craft of compiling surveys of different vintages into coherent regional products (e.g. in Geosoft Oasis Montaj), and forward modelling to test geological hypotheses.
• Experience with reflection and/or passive seismic processing and interpretation is well regarded.
• Experience with electromagnetic methods, including ground and airborne time-domain EM and MT, would be an advantage.
• Proficient in geophysical modelling and inversion using industry codes such as those from UBC-GIF and SimPEG.
• Experience integrating geological data and incorporating petrophysical constraints into geophysical inversions using 3D software such as Geoscience Analyst.
• Coding ability in MATLAB or Python (desired). A candidate who has developed their own processing tools will stand out.
• A scientific publication record is a plus.
• A record of picking up new methods and technologies quickly, and the drive to keep doing so.

What we offer

• When you join Anglo American, you can expect to enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package. But more than this, you’ll find yourself in an environment where the opportunities for learning and growth are second to none. From technical training to leadership programmes, we bring out the best in our people. There are plenty of opportunities to move onwards and upwards too. We’re a large, successful multinational company – and we’re still growing all the time

Who we are?

• Anglo American is a global diversified mining business. Our portfolio of world-class mining operations provides the metals and minerals that make modern life possible. We use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine, process, move and market our products to our customers around the world.

Inclusion and Diversity

• Anglo American is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential

How we are committed to your safety

• Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry. Not only that, we’re also continually investing in new technologies – from drones to data analytics – that are helping to make mining safer

How to apply

• To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.