Exploration Manager

Position Summary

The Exploration Manager provides strategic and technical leadership for all exploration activities across the Dahrouge Australia project portfolio (both client and Dahrouge owned), from target generation through to resource-definition drilling. This is a senior, career-geologist role accountable for the technical integrity, safety, budget and regulatory compliance (including JORC Code 2012 reporting) of exploration programs. The Exploration Manager leads a multidisciplinary field and technical team, manages relationships with joint venture partners, landholders, Traditional Owners and regulators, and represents the company’s exploration strategy to the Board, investors and the market.

Key Accountabilities

Leadership & Team Development:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across the exploration program, setting direction from generative target generation through to resource-conversion drilling.
• Lead, mentor and develop the exploration team (geologists, geo-technicians and field staff), building technical capability and succession depth.
• Foster a high-performance, safety-first culture aligned with company values and long-term exploration strategy.

Stakeholder Relations & Business Development:

• Participate in relationships with joint venture partners, landholders, Traditional Owner groups/native title parties, and regulators (state Departments of Mines), maintaining social license to operate.
• Represent the company or clients at investor briefings, site visits and industry conferences; provide technical input supporting capital raisings and market communications.

•Identify and evaluate new project generation and acquisition opportunities (farm-ins, joint ventures, tenement applications) aligned with Dahrouge’s corporate strategy or at clients requests.

Technical Leadership & Compliance:

• Act as, or oversee the appointment of, a Competent Person under the JORC Code (2012) for Exploration Results, Mineral Resource and public reporting purposes.
• Oversee interpretation of geological, geochemical and geophysical data to define and prioritise drill targets; review resource models, estimates and technical reports for accuracy and compliance.
• At clients request, ensure ASX/market announcements and technical disclosures meet JORC Code and ASX Listing Rule requirements.

Project & Program Management:

• Plan, budget and manage exploration programs — drilling, geochemical/geophysical surveys and assay programs — ensuring delivery on time, on budget and to quality standard.
• Manage tenement portfolio obligations, including expenditure commitments, statutory reporting, and renewal/relinquishment strategy under the relevant state Mining Act.
• Oversee contractor and drilling contractor management, procurement and logistics for remote/FIFO field programs.

Safety, Environment & Governance:

• Champion a strong safety culture in line with Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation and site-specific safety management systems.
• Ensure environmental approvals, heritage clearances and land access agreements are secured prior to field activity.
• Provide regular reporting to the Operations Director on exploration progress, budget performance and risk.

Training & Innovation:

• Establish technical standards, QA/QC protocols and data management systems across the exploration program.
• Champion adoption of new exploration technologies and methodologies (e.g., data analytics, remote sensing, advanced geophysics) to improve targeting success.
• Foster knowledge-sharing and continued professional development across the technical team.

Position Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (Honours preferred) in Geology, Earth Sciences or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (Master’s) advantageous.

Experience:

• 15+ years’ experience in mineral exploration/mining, including demonstrated experience within the Australian geological and regulatory environment.
• Proven track record from leading generative exploration to resource-definition drilling programs.
• Experience managing exploration budgets, drilling/contractor programs and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience engaging with joint venture partners, native title parties/Traditional Owners, and government regulators.

Designations & Certifications:

• Chartered Professional (CP) with AusIMM or Registered Professional Geoscientist (RPGeo) with AIG (or other Recognised Professional Organisation), in good standing, and eligible to act as a Competent Person under the JORC Code (2012).
• Current unrestricted driver’s licence; 4WD/off-road driving competency highly regarded.
• WA (or other Australian states equivalent) Statutory Exploration Manager
• Remote/Senior First Aid and CPR certification.
• Site safety induction (e.g., White Card) as required by project site.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Mastery of geological principles, exploration targeting methodologies, and industry-standard software (e.g., Leapfrog, Micromine, Vulcan, GIS/ArcGIS).
• Sound working knowledge of the JORC Code (2012), ASX Listing Rules, and relevant state Mining Act tenement obligations.
• Strong leadership skills, with a proven ability to build, mentor and retain high-performing technical teams.
• Proven ability to manage large, multi-site exploration budgets, contractors and timelines in remote/FIFO settings.
• Skilled in stakeholder management — joint venture partners, Traditional Owners, regulators and investors — and in translating technical data for non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, adaptable to evolving project and market conditions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, including technical report writing and public disclosure documentation.

Working Conditions

Fieldwork

•     Ad Hoc travel to remote and regional project sites,; exposure to extreme heat, cyclonic weather (northern Australia) and remote, off-grid conditions.

•     Exposure to challenging terrain and wildlife hazards (e.g., snakes) and biosecurity/quarantine requirements; core inspection and field logging may require lifting up to 25 kg and sustained concentration.

Office Work

•     Generally controlled office/site-office environment, with periods of pressure around drilling campaigns, reporting deadlines and market announcements.

•     Minimal physical hazards; discomfort may arise from extended computer use and travel schedules.

Overall

•     Strong personal commitment to safety leadership and adherence to site HSE protocols and PPE requirements.

•     Hazard exposure varies by project, season and location (tropical, arid or alpine terrains across Australia), requiring adaptability.

•     Clear, confident communication essential for safety, team leadership and stakeholder engagement.