Manager Geology Exploration
South Deep, South Africa, 1780
South Deep is recruiting!
This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to a dynamic and engaged team of professionals, working together to become the beacon of pride for our people, our communities, our stakeholders, and our shareholders.
At South Deep, we value each person’s individual and collective contribution and support your ongoing development, helping you to achieve your career and our business aspirations.
POSITION: Manager Exploration Geology
JOB GRADING: D – Upper
DEPARTMENT: Technical Services – Geology
SITE: South Deep Gold Mine
The Manager Exploration Geology manages the exploration function by executing exploration strategies that support optimal ore extraction, Mineral Resource growth, reserve replacement, and life-of-mine extension objectives. The incumbent will ensure the generation of high-quality geological information that informs mine planning, and long-term business sustainability, while maintaining compliance with statutory, reporting, and SHEQ requirements. Through effective team management and collaboration with operational and technical stakeholders, the role will drive exploration excellence, continuous improvement, and value creation within a deep-level underground gold mining environment.
Minimum Requirements:
- BSc Honours in Geology (NQF Level 8) from a recognised institution
- Registration as a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) with SACNASP and eligible to sign as a Competent Person under SAMREC
- Minimum 10 years' progressive experience in mine geology, with at least 5 years in a senior or supervisory exploration role
- Demonstrable experience in deep-level hard-rock gold mining environment
- Proven track record managing exploration drilling programmes and resource conversion projects
- Proficiency in geological software packages and database management systems e.g. Leapfrog, SQL Database
- Be declared medical fit for the position and environment, as determined by risk-based medical examination at the Gold Fields Occupational Health Centre and pass a Heat Tolerance Screening test, and such other tests as may be required to assess the applicant’s suitability for employment
NOTE: All relevant certificates must be uploaded on your online application to be considered for shortlisting
Key Competencies:
- Advanced safety leadership capability with proven safety campaign delivery record and ability to provides visible felt leadership in safety
- Accomplished team and people leader with advanced inter and intra-team collaboration, sound spoken and written English communication skills
- Established track record in leading and managing teams, including proficiency in change management
- Strategic exploration planning, execution, and resource optimisation aligned to business objectives
- Advanced knowledge of exploration geology, geological modelling and reporting standards
- Exploration programme design and management, including drilling, QA/QC, and contractor oversight
- Project, programme, and operational management, including planning, scheduling, and delivery
- Financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and business case development
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making capability
- Risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and regulatory compliance management
- Leadership, coaching, mentoring, talent development, and performance management
- Change management and the ability to build high-performing teams and organisational culture
- Effective stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and senior-level communication
- Strong cross-functional collaboration across multidisciplinary technical and operational teams
- Data management, analytics, and data-driven decision-making
- Continuous improvement, innovation, and technology adoption
- Advanced proficiency in geological software, data management systems, and Microsoft Office applications
- High levels of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively participate in and lead interventions aimed at contributing to a culture of Zero Harm by ensuring compliance with legislation, Code of Practices, SHE policies, standards and governance requirements
- Demonstrate Visible Felt Leadership and drive operational safety excellence Production Engineering function and across the mine
- Championing the company’s strategies and initiatives to promote a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace culture, while driving the company's strategic people initiatives
- Develop and implement exploration strategies that support Mineral Resource growth, resource conversion, life-of-mine extension, and business objectives
- Manage and optimise surface and underground exploration, drilling programmes, geological interpretation, and orebody modelling activities
- Ensure the integrity, quality, governance, and reporting of geological data, databases, and QA/QC systems.
- Manage exploration budgets, capital expenditure, contractors, and operational resources to achieve cost-effective delivery of objectives
- Provide technical recommendations to support operational planning and business decision-making
- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop high-performing exploration teams while driving performance, succession planning, and capability development
- Foster stakeholder collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and the adoption of new technologies to enhance exploration performance and value creation
Closing Date: 05 November 2026
Please note that the Gold Fields code of conduct strictly prohibits the exchange of any payment as part of its recruitment process.
Should you require any assistance or have any challenges in applying for a position, please contact the Recruitment hub on 011 411 1387
Creating enduring value beyond mining
Gold Fields is committed to advancing its Employment Equity (EE) strategy through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). All Historically Disadvantaged South Africans (HDSA) and differently abled candidates may apply.