Job Title: Grade Control Geologist – Surface Copper Operations (Utah) Location: Site-Based - La Sal, UT Job Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and safety-focused Grade Control Geologist to join our dynamic team. This critical role is responsible for the accurate delineation of ore and waste boundaries to maximize ore recovery, minimize dilution, and ensure the highest quality ore feed is delivered to our crushing and heap leach circuit. The successful candidate will leverage technology, rigorous field monitoring, and data analysis to drive operational efficiency and profitability while upholding our unwavering commitment to safety. Key Responsibilities: 1. Safety & Compliance: Champion a culture of safety excellence, ensuring all activities meet and exceed MSHA regulations and company safety standards. Conduct and document thorough workplace examinations and safety interactions. Actively participate in safety meetings and contribute to hazard identification and mitigation strategies. 2. Ore Control & Delineation: Conduct detailed geologic logging of blast hole cuttings and RC/DD drill samples to define lithology, alteration, and mineralization. Design, implement, and manage the blast hole and verification drilling sampling program, ensuring strict QA/QC protocols are followed. Utilize advanced modeling software (e.g., Vulcan, Leapfrog, Deswik) to create detailed short-range geologic and grade control models. Clearly mark ore/waste boundaries and control elevations in the field for mining operations. 3. Operational Integration & Optimization: Work directly with mine operations, survey, and blasting engineers to ensure drill and blast patterns are executed according to design to maximize ore recovery and minimize dilution. Provide daily ore routing instructions to shovel and load operators and monitor compliance. Supervise ore stacking on the heap leach pad to ensure adherence to grade-specific placement strategies. 4. Data Analysis, Reconciliation & Reporting: Perform detailed monthly reconciliation of production data: blast hole model vs. truck load counts vs. mill feed vs. reserve model. Analyze and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including, but not limited to: o Ore Dilution & Ore Loss percentages o Grade Tonnage Curves and predicted vs. actual metal production o Total Copper delivered to the crusher (grade and tons) o Waste tons misclassified as ore and vice-versa o Crusher throughput and recovery efficiency linked to feed grade Generate daily, weekly, and monthly grade control reports for management. 5. Technology & Continuous Improvement: Proactively explore and recommend new technologies (e.g., hyperspectral scanning, drone photogrammetry, real-time assay tools) to improve the speed and accuracy of ore/waste discrimination. Continuously refine grade control processes and methodologies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Required Skills & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Geology or related Earth Science field. Minimum of 3 years of experience in mine geology, with a strong focus on grade control in a surface mining environment. Proven experience with geologic logging, sampling protocols, and QA/QC procedures. Demonstrated proficiency with mining/geology software packages (e.g., Vulcan, Leapfrog, Deswik, Surpac, MS Office). Solid understanding of drilling, blasting, and loading operations and their impact on grade control. Strong analytical skills with experience in production reconciliation and KPI tracking. Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively lead and instruct operators in the field. Must be a team player with a strong attention to detail and a relentless focus on safety. Preferred Qualifications: Experience at a heap leach copper operation. Familiarity with GPS and survey systems used for field marking. Experience with process reconciliation and an understanding of metallurgical recovery principles. Strong leadership potential and a desire to advance within the technical team.