EXPLORATION MANAGER - Cu-Au | PERMANENT

Permanent | Work From Home | SA & WA Projects

- Greenfields Cu-Au exploration | Geophysics + geochem + boots firmly on ground
- Drill-ready SA targets + broader Australian portfolio | IPO pending, activity about to accelerate
- High autonomy + CP responsibility | Small aggressive team, decisions made in days - not six committees later

This is probably one of the more compelling Exploration Manager roles I've worked on for a while. The company is a modern Australian explorer using AI-driven prospectivity modelling to hunt large-scale undercover copper-gold systems - but before anyone pictures a bunch of data scientists trying to discover a mine from an ergonomic chair, the philosophy is refreshingly simple:

Use the technology to find better places to look. Then get on the ground, collect better data, run the geophysics/geochem, drill the thing and find out if you were right.

Their flagship South Australian project is effectively drill ready, targeting a potentially large-scale Cu-Au IOCG system beneath significant cover. Historical drilling demonstrated IOCG-style alteration, while more recent gravity work identified multiple untested targets, with an historical hole appearing to have only clipped a gravity anomaly rather than properly testing it.

This isn't geology-by-ChatGPT. The company's targeting methodology grew out of independently recognised machine-learning work combining geophysics, geochemistry and geological datasets, including a $500,000 first-place result in a global Explorer Challenge. The idea is pretty sensible: learn from decades of Australian drilling - including the expensive dusters - and make better decisions where 300m+ of cover makes wandering around looking for outcrop somewhat unproductive.

SO, WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Someone who still genuinely enjoys exploration. Strong greenfields credentials, geophysics, geochemistry, structural interpretation, field programs, data collection, target generation and drilling. You don't need to worship AI, wear a black turtleneck or start every sentence with "the algorithm says...". But you do need the curiosity & passion to embrace & try something different.





There's an old definition of insanity about doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. Undercover exploration has occasionally demonstrated that principle rather expensively. This group has deliberately taken a different approach to identifying targets - and needs an Exploration Manager enthusiastic enough to challenge ideas, test them properly and happily kill a target when the geology says it deserves to die.

It's technology + geology, not technology replacing geology.

THE ROLE

You'll drive exploration strategy across multiple projects, lead field programs and contractors, integrate geophysics/geochem with the geological model, design and execute drilling, manage budgets and technical reporting and act as the Competent Person.

You'll also own target prioritisation, oversee field teams, manage consultants and make the call on where the next exploration dollar goes. It's a broad role by design - strategy at one end, boots-on-ground execution at the other, with genuine responsibility for turning promising datasets into drill-tested geological answers.

And because this is a small, IPO in progress explorer rather than a major, autonomy is real. Budgets obviously aren't unlimited and nobody has a helicopter circling the office waiting for you - but neither should a decent geological idea require three steering committees, fourteen PowerPoints and approval from somebody in Toronto who last visited the project in 2019.

WHERE DO YOU NEED TO LIVE?

Perth or Adelaide would probably be ideal. Melbourne absolutely works. But neither is compulsory. Brisbane, Sydney or elsewhere can work for the right person, provided you're happy with ad hoc travel to the South Australian and other project areas as required (e.g WA).





The company is far more interested in finding the right Exploration Manager than forcing somebody to relocate just to occupy a particular office chair. This is an outcomes-and-autonomy role, not a "we need to see you sitting at your desk" role.

LAND ACCESS MATTERS. A LOT.

One of the key project areas is largely freehold land, while other ground brings the usual native title, heritage and stakeholder considerations.

You can generate the greatest target Australia has seen since Olympic Dam, but it's reasonably useless if the landholder would rather give you access to a bull that's been denied visiting rights to the neighbouring paddock than access to his property.

So the ability to build genuine relationships with farmers, Traditional Owners, landholders and stakeholders is critical. Technically strong, commercially sensible, comfortable having a beer at the local pub and - in highly technical recruitment terminology - not being a flog.

The South Australian exploration program already has government approval for Cu-Au work, and the company is rapidly building a wider exploration footprint. Once the IPO completes, the intention is very much to get after it rather than spend the next two years admiring the targets on a screen.

If you're a technically strong exploration leader who still likes dirt on the boots, enjoys geophysics and greenfields problem-solving, gets genuinely excited about testing new ideas and wants far more influence over what gets explored and drilled next, this is absolutely worth a conversation.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" tab below. (Note: This does not mean I'll send your resume to the client - we will discuss the opportunity first & if you approve, you will know where your resume is being sent).

For a confidential discussion about this role or similar opportunities available with Stealth Recruitment, please contact Michael McShane (BSc Geol, MAIG, MAusIMM) on [0402 330 142](tel:0402 330 142). Or you can email [email protected] more information.

Please Note: Your CV will be treated with strict confidence and will never be forwarded on without your express permission.

📌 EXPLORATION MANAGER | WFH anywhere in Australia | Drill-ready SA Cu-Au + nationa (Perth)
🏢 Stealth Recruitment
📍 Perth