Senior Quality Assurance & Control Geologist

Position Title: Senior Quality Assurance & Control Geologist 

Location: Moscow Office 

Issue Date: 28 April 2021 

Reports to: Chief Resource Geologist (Direct), Exploration & Development Manager (Indirect)

DIMENSIONS OF THE POSITION:

• This position is a Moscow based technical role responsible for the implementation and management of effective technical processes related to the collection, input, storage, manipulation and output of all geological information related to the  copper-gold deposit and prospects within the  mining district. Occasional travel will be required to site to complete quality assurance, quality control and training related to site based data collection, input, storage systems and processes. The position will be critical to defining, establishing and maintaining the integrity of the  mine geological and technical data, technical information management processes and digital technologies.

PURPOSE:

• The Senior Quality Assurance & Control Geologist is strategically and tactically accountable for all technical and digital information collected, manipulated and shared out of the Geology Department (Exploration, Resource, Mine Geology, Drilling Services).
• The Position assesses, implements and manages geoscience databases, their structure, quality of data, auditable status, currency, version control and release of information to all stakeholder groups (Mining, Processing).
• The Position is the QAQC specialist within the Geology team designing, implementing and ensuring critical sampling and assaying practices are to JORC and NI 43-101 standards with information produced being able to be used in technical planning, modelling and estimation processes.
• The Position through having high level SQL and TCL coding skills combined with knowledge of geological processes is capable of customizing technical software and databases, as well as the implementation of training programs in required software.
• Ensures best practices in all aspects of technical information management from sample and mapping program design, to field sample and mapping data collection, through to final digital processing, analysis, quality assurance and storage of outcomes (database, GIS, technical applications).
• Establishes and maintains a spatial information (GIS & 3D) directory for mining, exploration and geology functions, as well as provides training and support function to technical software.
• Is key specialist responsible for auditing and maintaining QA/QC of all laboratory analysis processes, outcomes and adherence to agreed workflows by assay laboratories, as part of managing Geology external laboratory contracts.
• Working within and enforcing the technical and supervisory guidelines set by the Exploration & Development Manager using and managing the geological, technical and digital resources available within Geology.
• Enforcing conformance with policy, especially with respect to cultural, safety, environment and legislative requirements. The position will have a single direct report to enable effective support of the data needs of all Geology (Mine Geology, Exploration, Drilling Services & Resource).

JOB DUTIES:

Technical & Digital

• Establish, maintain and enforce backup of Geology technical information.
• Establish, maintain and enforce the Geology digital filing structure.
• Assume ownership and custodianship of all databases inclusive of stored technical information representing +10 years of drilling, mapping, geochemistry, geophysics, modelling, and sampling.
• Manage the collection and integration of spatial & geological information from drilling, mapping and resource projects for use in GIS, modelling and mine planning applications.
• Train and maintain users in GIS technologies, related spatial information storage & functionality.
• Develop & produce thematic mine-scale & regional maps.
• Champion, coordinate and implement digital mapping solutions as part of the daily function of the Geology team.
• Maintain the Geology digital mapping system, establish procedures and monitor system performance.
• Develop, implement, maintain and upgrade field-data collection methods, including mobile mapping systems, remotely collected slope monitoring data and survey data collected for Geology.
• Develop, implement, modify and maintain database entry and query forms. Create new forms and data capture objects as departmental needs evolve.
• Modify and develop using SQL, TCL and other coding languages necessary importers, exporters and links from databases to various software used across Geology and Mining.
• Provide technical support and training in the implementation and utilization of new technical information capture technologies.
• Prepare daily, end of month and statutory report figures & activity summaries.

QAQC & Support

• Implement and maintain adherence to sampling Quality Assurance & Quality Control processes. Including use of appropriate field standards, blanks, duplicates, contamination detection protocols and appropriateness of sampling methods.
• Manage on and offsite laboratories on behalf of Geology department to ensure effective dispatch of samples, effective laboratory turn-around-times, correct return of assay data, resolution of problems with samples received by labs and with assay data returned.
• Conduct and report QA/QC analysis on all laboratory assay data with prompt action to flag, record and resolve QA/QC issues.
• Complete routine laboratory walk-throughs and documented quarterly audits to ensure laboratory operations are not compromising integrity of samples processed or assays reported back to Geology.
• Monitor and police performance of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to identify problems with the system and recommend improvements to the system.
• Provide direct support to users of geological database, remote data collection devices and those accessing assay data from LIMS.
• Define, schedule and organize Data Management training for Geology departments.
• Facilitate the on-going development of the geology database and data capture techniques.
• Assist external database contractors and consultants with the development of more effective data capture and reporting systems.

Leadership

• Set and supervise the activities of a Data Administrator reporting directly to this position, inclusive of training and development to be successor to this position.
• Manage the daily data management function of all Geology teams (Mine Geology, Exploration, Drilling Services, Resource) and direct as needed to achieve best practice.
• Champion all information related to drilling, field sampling and mapping is collected and accurately entered into the database.
• Ensure compliance with respect to accurate recording and entering of geological data per procedures and to quality defined within procedures.
• Schedule and ensure geological staff conduct regular drill rig and laboratory inspections to assess the quality of data being captured, sampling practices and outcome analysis.
• Promote and supervise implementation of new field technologies including GIS mapping, digital data capture, digital production and drill progress tracking.

WORKING CONDITIONS/REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintain compliance with the Australian Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC) and Russian Government Reserves Commission (GKZ) guidelines in relation to all aspects of data acquisition, quality, standards and reporting.
• Maintain good standing (membership) and abide by the Code of Conduct of an internationally recognized professional body relevant to the mining and or exploration industry.
• Ensure up-to-date geoscience, sampling, assay and drilling data are incorporated into the geological database.
• Ensure data and documentation required to support and validate the geological function are available digitally and in hardcopy, with data well organised, easy to reference, and catalogued.
• Facilitate training and development of Geology staff in the areas of SQL, Databases, Data Management, Sampling, Laboratory Processes, QAQC and Audit.
• Complete other duties as required by the Chief Resource Geologist and the Exploration & Development Manager.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:

• University degree in Science, Engineering, Information Technology (BSc, BScIT, BGeoEng, BEng).
• Minimum 10 years’ experience within the mining or exploration industry in a Data Management role.
• Postgraduate qualifications in IT or Data Management desirable.
• Completion of mining industry recognized and certified training (in-house or external) in database and or database management.
• Bilingual Russian & English – desirable but not essential.
• Practical demonstration of database management and creation skills.
• Proficiency in Geobank, Acquire, Datashed or Access database software tailored to the mining industry.
• Proficiency in SQL and or TCL scripting and management.
• Practical knowledge and experience completing JORC compliant data audits, validations and reports.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, influencing and supervisory skills.
• Effective communication skills - verbal and written both internally and externally;
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities.