Principal Geophysicist at African Industries Group (AIG)

Job Purpose

• To generate new regional exploration targets/projects and assess new opportunities for the company using geophysical exploration techniques.
• The role has overall accountability for supporting the generation and execution of exploration projects using geophysical techniques including designing and executing advanced geophysical investigations and programmes, utilising sophisticated methodologies to assess subsurface structures and facilitate project advancement.
• The role functions as a subject matter expert (SME) within a multi-disciplinary team and applies comprehensive geophysical expertise to interpret and analyse data that underpins the generation of new exploration projects and advance existing ones.

Principle Accountabilities

• Ensure safety, health and wellbeing of employees and equipment to comply with both legal requirements and the company policy.
• Plan, lead and oversee geophysical exploration programmes with primary focus on high-value minerals including copper and other base metals; gold, silver, platinum and other precious metals; rare earth and energy minerals.
• Develop, implement, and manage geophysical surveys, including airborne, ground, and borehole methods, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
• Perform QA/QC, analysis, and interpretation of all geophysical data sourced/acquired using industry-standard software such as Oasis Montaj.
• Prepare and condition data for inversion using advanced geophysical programs.
• Generate detailed geophysical interpretation reports and field logistical documentation to confidently evaluate and recommend solutions, plans, support drilling, and operational decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including geologists, geochemists, engineers, and other technical specialists to generate new exploration targets and advance exploration projects from discovery through to feasibility stages.
• Stay current with industry literature and advancements in geophysical methods and their application as mineral exploration techniques.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior staff and peers, anchoring operational excellence across the exploration teams, through continuous improvement initiatives and establishment of quality as a way of life, especially in the adoption and application of industry’s best, efficient and most cost-effective mineral exploration targeting techniques.

Main Interface:
Internal:

• Manager and Peers: Head of Exploration; Exploration Manager; Mineral Resources Manager; Principal Geochemist: Provide updates on project generation and execution, collaborate on strategy and alignment with the company’s strategy, receive inputs and action decisions as required.
• Direct reports: Snr. Geophysicist.
• Indirect report: Maintain consistent contact for alignment, support, generation and execution of all exploration activities and feedback.

External:

• Government (Geological Survey & Mining Cadastre Departments: liaison and networking for geo-data acquisition and mineral intelligence updates)
• Exploration Managers and Snr. Geoscientists of other Mining and Exploration Firms: Networking, collaboration, and benchmarking against industry’s best practices.
• Geological Consultants, Contractors and Organisations: collaborate and manage for specialised expertise in addressing specific technical challenges and needs.

Key Challenges:

• Acquisition and integration of relevant adequate geo-data sets to create value for the company in diverse geological and geographical environments.
• Adoption of cost effective and efficient mineral targeting techniques, management and availability of resources to ensure a quality exploration project portfolio is built and maintained within budget.

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• Professional Geologist designation with a BSc (Hons) in Geology or Geophysics and at least an MSc degree in Geophysics or related geoscience.
• Must have at least 10 years of experience in exploration geophysics with significant portion of it in Greenfields exploration and field experience across a broad spectrum of mineral commodities.
• Strong geoscientist with in-depth knowledge of geophysics and geological exploration methods and their applications in mineral resource targeting.
• Good knowledge about ore forming systems and exploration models.
• Proficient in specialised geophysics software such as Oasis Montaj, GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS), drillhole analysis (e.g. Geosoft Target,), and data management software (e.g. DAP, Datashed, acQuire).
• Knowledge of different geophysical systems and data types, and their significance in mineral exploration.
• International/Africa experience in diverse geological environments.
• Excellent communication skills, oral, written, presentation and authoring of technical reports.