Job Description

The Mine Geology Manager – Kumtor position carries direct overall management and decision-making responsibility for the Exploration function at the mining operation, including open-pit and underground exploration. The incumbent is a core member of the management decision-making team for the mining operation. The position encompasses the leadership role on all exploration matters within KOC, including a technical advisory role to the Vice President Operations and other operational function heads (e.g. mine, underground, mill). The Exploration Manager sets exploration targets, defines goals and standards for the function, and manages staff in the application of technology and the execution of exploration operations to achieve the results and support the company’s strategic goals. The incumbent devises or oversees the development of solutions to difficulties, obstacles and events that occur within the area of responsibility, e.g. equipment failure or breakdowns, environmental issues, emergency management. The management role includes the promotion of health, safety and environmental management (HSE) within the department, and the transfer of skills and knowledge to national employees working in the exploration environment.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports to Operational: Vice President Operations (KOC)
Functional: Senior Vice President Global Exploration (Centerra Gold)
Supervises/Trains Exploration Chief Geologist
Diamond Drill Foreman

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determine the exploration strategy and policy framework for Kumtor in conjunction with the Senior VP Global Exploration Centerra Gold with input from the Vice President Operations, and within the framework of the organization’s strategic objectives and plans. In line with the strategy, define short and long term exploration targets, objectives and plans for the exploration function. Design processes, implement appropriate methodologies and procedures, and direct exploration operations to achieve the objectives.

• Manage systems for measuring exploration operational performance against targets, and design and implement corrective action to address variances. Provide high level technical exploration and geological expertise to determine solutions to technical and other operational difficulties and to keep the exploration programme on track.

• Interpret and analyze the results of drilling and other geological and geotechnical information, to delineate current and future exploration targets, and evaluations of mining reserves/resources in the areas under exploration. Provide expertise into mining feasibility investigations and the development of recommendations to operational management on short and long term mining strategy, both for open-pit and underground operations.

• Identify all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to exploration activities and ensure compliance with these. Develop and implement operational procedures and set the standards within which members of the exploration group operate. Manage compliance with operational procedures and standards.

• Participate in the overall leadership of mine operations, as an advisory member of the operation’s management team and as exploration/geological advisor to line managers (e.g. mine, underground, engineering, geotechnical).

• Develop and modify where necessary a human resource structure for the exploration function, based on meeting exploration operational requirements and objectives. Liaise with the HR department to manage the sourcing and timely provision of required people resources.

• Manage the Kumtor surface and underground diamond drilling group, including KOC and contractor staff. Develop systems and structures to maximize productivity and minimize costs whilst achieving industry leader level safety targets.

• Organize, deploy, lead, develop and manage the performance of all employees in the exploration function. Provide technical and technological advice and guidance to exploration staff. Coach, mentor and transfer skills and knowledge to staff. In liaison with HR, develop methods for encouraging positive morale and employee motivation in the workplace. Ensure that all employees in the function are properly trained for their job responsibilities.

• Manage organizational and administrative aspects of the exploration function including:
– capital requirements for infrastructure and/or major equipment;
– major logistical organization (e.g. location, operation and manning of drill rigs);
– on time procurement of required materials and equipment;
– operational budgeting and cost management in the exploration function;
– administrative procedures, standards and controls;
– productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness within the function.

• Continuously update expertise – including knowledge of international trends, developments and new technologies – to ensure that the company benefits by the most effective and appropriate exploration practices and solutions. Where necessary, identify and enter into arrangements with potential external (local or international) entities which can be utilized to bring additional expertise, systems or methodologies to KOC (e.g. geological/exploration/geostatistical experts or consulting organizations).

• Develop and maintain contingency plans and emergency-preparedness procedures in respect of identified potential risks/threats (as examples only: major accident, environmental exposures, etc.). Needs to provide a strong leadership role in case of any emergency event within area of responsibility.

• Promote and foster HSE within the exploration function across all areas of responsibility. Includes appropriate HSE education/training, emphasis on good HSE practices in day-to-day activities, and full compliance with company/departmental HSE policies and procedures.

Required Skills

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Leadership and management competencies: to lead the exploration function within the organization and manage staff towards the desired objectives, standards and outcomes.
Planning: to be able to anticipate future trends, probabilities and interpret consequences; to be able to execute long range planning and logistical organization.
Results orientated and maintaining direction: to ensure focus on important deliverables and drive achievement of functional as well as personal job objectives.
Teamwork: to promote teamwork within the exploration function and partner effectively with other departments/entities which use outcomes of exploration activities or provide services to the exploration function.
Decision making and problem solving: to develop accurate and reliable exploration interpretations/decisions; to create workable solutions to difficulties, obstacles and issues arising within areas of responsibility.
Cultural sensitivity: to deal appropriately with employees within and outside the department as well as with external entities.
Expertise and knowledge: requires high level of geological/exploration experience and expertise to institute best practices and solutions.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

The minimum educational requirement for the position is a recognized Honours degree in Geology.
The position requires at least 20 years’ varied experience in mine and exploration geology, at least 10 years of which should have been in management or senior project positions. Experience should include surface and underground mines, and mine-areas as well as grass-roots exploration projects, project generation, drilling programmes, etc in international mining operations.

RELATIONSHIPS

Specialist advisory relationships with operations management.
Collaborative and cooperative relationships with managers of functions for which the exploration function is a key provider/user of information, e.g. mine, underground, engineering, geotechnical, finance.
Client relationships with other KOC departments which provide services to the exploration function, e.g. finance, procurement, HR, IS&T.
Professional relationships with external service providers, e.g. geological/exploration/geostatistical experts, consulting organizations.

DIMENSIONS

Exploration function consists of 230 employees.
Annual exploration capital budget under control = US$1.1mil.
Annual exploration operational budget under control = US$13mil.
Total planned meters drilling 34,000.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Resident in Bishkek – works 9/5 rotation of shifts at mine site.
Exposure to high altitude and unfavourable climatic conditions at mine site.

OTHER

Complexities of interpretation of varying and changing information base.
Dealing with vagaries/uncertainty of long term nature of projections/probabilities/predictions.
Need for high level accuracy of interpretations/analysis given potential major consequences of errors.


Interested applicants should click on the apply link which will direct you to the Centerra Gold online application system for this vacancy.

If you experience any problems with the link, go to the Centerra website to view all of Centerra’s open positions at: www.centerragold.com/careers

We thank all candidates for their applications, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We would kindly appreciate no phone calls.

About Centerra

Centerra is a growth-oriented Canadian-based gold mining and exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of gold properties in Central Asia, the former Soviet Union and other emerging markets. Our objective is to build shareholder value and to establish Centerra as a senior gold producer by maximizing the potential of our current properties and leveraging our financial strength and experience to acquire new long-life, low-cost projects. Currently, we maintain 100% interests in two gold producing mines, Kumtor mine in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Boroo mine in Mongolia.

We’re Centerra. Mine something different and come explore what we have to offer.

www.centerragold.com