Geologist

Job Summary

Sawtooth Mining is seeking a technically skilled Geologist to join our growing technical team at the Thacker Pass Lithium Clay Surface Mine. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of North America's most significant lithium projects and play a key role in the transition from a greenfield project to an operating mine.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and leading ore-control drilling, as well as collecting, analyzing, and interpreting drilling results for integration into short-range geological, structural, and assay block models. This person will also focus on QA/QC processes and lead the ore control workflow and reconciliation tracking.

Responsibilities

• Interpret geologic data and provide geologic structure and assay information and assessments.
• Maintain geologic files, QA/QC data, databases, and samples.
• Update and maintain the short-range geological, structural, and block models for use in short-range mine planning.
• Lead and support Ore Control efforts to ensure that ore is being mined efficiently and reconciliation is tracked correctly.
• Perform all duties in accordance with MSHA regulations, state and federal requirements, and company policies.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety-first culture.
• Support environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Requirements

• Knowledgeable in sedimentary and lithium geology, geochemistry, and hydrology.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, Geobank Database software, and Maptek’s Vulcan block modeling software.
• Knowledge of Fleet Management System reporting is a plus.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills are required.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work in a team environment.
• Strong critical thinking skills are required.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Geology with 5-10 years of experience in exploration drilling, geological block modeling, and ore control at a surface mining operation.
• Preference given to those with a Master’s degree in Geology, Professional Geologist designation, and those currently qualified as a Qualified Person under the SEC’s SK-1300 and Canadian 43-101 regulations.

Benefits

Relocation assistance provided. Candidate should be based in or willing to relocate to Winnemucca, Nevada.

Analysis of Physical Demands of Position

• Intermittently: None
• Occasionally: Kneeling/crouching (field inspections, troubleshooting); pushing/pulling (light equipment, sampling devices); reaching-above/below shoulder (equipment access, truck cabs); riding in heaving equipment (haul trucks, graders); entering/exiting equipment (3-point contact climbing required); working at elevations/heights (pit walls, elevated platforms); bending/stooping (inspecting ground, samples, equipment); lifting (up to 30-40 pounds: core boxes, tools, sampling gear); carrying (PPE kits, survey gear, laptops); climbing (accessing shovels, highwalls, stairs/ladders); standing (pre-shift meetings, pit observations, mine site walk-throughs).
• Frequently: Navigation of active mining areas (around haul trucks); walking (pit floors, waste dumps, uneven and rocky terrain); walking on uneven ground (loose ore, benches, slopes); driving light vehicles (long distances across mine site (minimum of 10 miles/day)); sitting (engineering design, scheduling, reporting, AutoCAD, Vulcan, Microsoft Office Applications).
• Constantly: Fine motor skills-typing, instruments (engineering software, GPS/survey tools); vision (hazard recognition, surveying, reading plans/screens); hearing (radio communication, alarms, heavy equipment); communication (coordination with operators, supervisors, contractors); depth perception (working near edges, haul roads, highwalls); situational awareness (MSHA safety environment).