Geologist (Exploration & Production)
$140,000 – $220,000
About the role
Mining Geologists find and follow the orebody. Exploration Geologists design drill programs, log core, sample and interpret assay results, and build the geological model that determines whether a deposit will become a mine. Production Geologists work day-to-day on operating mines — mapping faces, controlling ore/waste boundaries, taking grade control samples, reconciling mined tonnes against the resource model, and advising the mining crew on where the ore is. With the gold price at record levels through 2025–2026, exploration budgets across the WA Goldfields, Murchison and Northern Territory are at their highest in a decade — and Geologists with 5+ years of underground gold experience are in genuine short supply. Base salaries for experienced Production Geologists sit around $160,000–$200,000, with Senior and Principal Geologists reaching $220,000+ on remote FIFO sites. The role suits people who love field geology, spatial reasoning and translating messy data into a defensible model. Progression paths include Senior Geologist, Chief Geologist, Resource Geologist, Exploration Manager and Technical Services Superintendent. Consulting career paths through firms like SRK, RSC, AMC and Snowden are also very common.
Certificates & qualifications required
- Bachelor of Geology or Earth Science
- AusIMM membership — CP (Geo) status for senior resource sign-off
- Standard 11 Generic Mining Induction
- Site-specific inductions (underground for UG geologists)
- 4WD training
- First Aid
How to get a job in this field
- Complete a Bachelor of Geology / Earth Science with a strong final year mapping project.
- Do vacation work with an exploration company or major operator each summer.
- Start as a Field Assistant / Junior Geo with a mid-tier gold explorer.
- Move to a production geology role at an operating gold, nickel or iron ore mine.
- Build toward AusIMM CP (Geo) status for resource sign-off responsibility.
