Job Description
Role Purpose
The Critical Mineral Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high‑quality execution of mineral exploration drilling programs. This role leads day-to-day field operations, ensuring sample integrity, compliance with HSE requirements, and delivery against drilling schedules and budgets. The supervisor acts as the primary interface between drilling contractors, exploration geologists, HSE, and field support teams.
Key Responsibilities
Safety, Health & Environment (HSE)
- Lead daily pre-starts, toolbox talks, and Job Hazard Analyses (JHA/JSA).
- Enforce company and contractor HSE standards, stop-work authority, and correct PPE use.
- Ensure safe operation of compressors, high‑pressure airlines, rod handling, and rig moves.
- Report and investigate incidents, near misses, and hazards; drive corrective actions.
- Ensure environmental compliance, minimal footprint, and effective site rehabilitation.
Operational Supervision
- Oversee rig setup, drilling parameters, and penetration rates; adjust for performance and ground conditions.
- Verify correct bit and hammer selection, cyclone and splitter configuration, and sample recovery.
- Manage daily drilling plan execution, shift changes, consumables, and equipment readiness.
- Coordinate water/air logistics, access tracks, drill pads, and rehabilitation requirements.
- Monitor contractor performance against KPIs; escalate and resolve operational issues.
Sampling Quality & Geological Support
- Ensure representative, contamination‑free sampling with clean cyclones/splitters at all times.
- Confirm correct sample intervals, labeling, bagging, and security; oversee duplicates, blanks, and standards as applicable.
- Assist with preliminary chip description, sample tray preparation, and correct depth recording.
- Implement and verify QA/QC protocols and chain‑of‑custody to laboratories.
Data, Reporting & Compliance
- Maintain accurate daily drilling records: depths, recoveries, ROP, downtime, consumables, and issues.
- Submit daily progress reports (DPRs), time sheets/shift reports, and contractor invoices inputs.
- Track downtime categories and root causes; recommend improvements.
- Ensure adherence to permits, company policies, and relevant regulatory standards.
Coordination & Leadership
- Act as the primary liaison between drill crews, exploration geologists, field assistants, and logistics.
- Provide clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback to contractor crews.
- Support scheduling, prioritization of targets, and rapid plan changes based on geological results or access.
- Foster a culture of safety, respect, continuous improvement, and sample integrity.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- 10 years’ mineral exploration/drilling operations experience, with 3+ years supervising air core programs.
- Demonstrated competence with AC/RC and DD rig mechanics, cyclones/splitters, sampling theory, and contamination control.
- Proven HSE leadership, risk assessment, and incident reporting capability.
- Experience in remote field operations and contractor management.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to work in physically demanding outdoor environments.
Desirable
- Exposure to gold/base metals/REE/iron ore regolith exploration.
- Basic geological knowledge (lithology from chips, regolith profiles, drill targeting concepts).
- First Aid/CPR; H2S awareness; Working at Heights; Confined Space; Defensive/4x4 driving.
- Familiarity with GPS, tablets, digital logging apps, and sample tracking systems.
- Knowledge of downhole survey tools and rehabilitation best practice.
Disclaimer for recruitment agencies:
Fugro does not accept any unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies. Acquisition to Fugro Recruitment or any Fugro employee is not appreciated.