Lead Resource Geologist
About Mariana Minerals
Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company focused on supplying critical minerals essential for modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We aim to reimagine the minerals supply chain by integrating advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making with deep industry expertise.
The Role
Mariana Minerals is seeking a Lead Resource Geologist to support resource development, mine geology, and technical studies across open pit and underground mining projects. This role involves contributing to geological interpretation, resource modeling, and grade control inputs that underpin mine planning, engineering, and economic evaluation. The Lead Resource Geologist will work closely with mine planning, mining engineering, and operations teams to ensure geological models are technically sound, practical, and aligned with mining realities. Ideal candidates have solid field, modeling, and operational experience in nickel and copper systems.
What You’ll Do
Own geological and mineral resource model governance, including assumptions, documentation, uncertainty, and technical defensibility.
Build, update, and maintain geological and resource models supporting open pit and underground mine designs and economic evaluation.
Interpret lithology, structure, alteration, and mineralization using drilling, mapping, and sampling data.
Define and apply domain-based modeling approaches and geostatistical methods appropriate for Ni and Cu deposit types.
Support resource development and mine geology by providing geological inputs to mine planning and scheduling, including ore/waste boundaries, grade trends, and structural controls.
Drive near-mine resource growth through targeting, drill prioritization, and model-driven exploration.
Provide geological inputs to reserve conversion, including modifying factors, dilution assumptions, and model validation.
Collaborate cross-functionally with mine planners, mining engineers, and geotechnical teams to ensure geological models are fit-for-purpose.
Translate geological uncertainty and risk into clear inputs for planning and engineering trade-off decisions.
Ensure high standards for geological data quality, QA/QC, and documentation.
Review and validate drilling, sampling, and assay data prior to model incorporation.
Maintain clear assumptions and traceability in all geological deliverables.
Ensure geological and resource work complies with applicable reporting codes (e.g., JORC, NI 43-101, CRIRSCO-aligned standards).
Define geological objectives, data requirements, and standards for drilling, logging, and sampling, and provide geological oversight of field execution.
Undertake or review field mapping, underground mapping, and face mapping as required.
Support or lead reconciliation of geological and resource models against production data.
What You'll Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
10+ years of progressive experience in mine and/or resource geology
Demonstrated experience supporting both open pit and underground mining operations
Direct experience with nickel and copper mineral systems
Strong applied geostatistical and mineral resource estimation experience, including domaining, variography, classification, and reporting
Proficiency with geological modeling and estimation software (e.g., Leapfrog, Datamine, Vulcan, Micromine)
Strong understanding of geological controls on mineralization and their implications for mining
Ability to communicate geological concepts clearly to non-geologists
Willingness to work across office and site environments as needed
Professional Geologist (P.Geo or equivalent), or eligibility
Demonstrated leadership of mineral resource estimates under reporting codes (e.g., NI43-101, JORC)
Experience in greenfield or brownfield exploration programs tied to active mines
Culture
Our culture is built on three principles: Extreme Ownership – We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions. Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate – We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale. Share Your Legos – We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.
Compensation Range
$140K - $175K