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Exploration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OceanaGold is seeking an experienced Manager - Exploration to lead exploration strategy, discovery, and delivery at the Haile Gold Mine and district. This is a senior leadership role with full ...

OceanaGold is seeking an experienced Manager - Exploration to lead exploration strategy, discovery, and delivery at the Haile Gold Mine and district. This is a senior leadership role with full ...

OceanaGold is seeking an experienced Manager - Exploration to lead exploration strategy, discovery, and delivery at the Haile Gold Mine and district. This is a senior leadership role with full ...

In addition, the Company wholly-owns the Silvertip polymetallic critical minerals exploration project in British Columbia, Canada. Coeur Wharf is an open-pit, heap-leach gold operation and the only ...

Generate, develop, and lead exploration programs across all stages of the exploration pipeline, with a primary focus on Project Generation and Target Delineation within the company's Resource ...

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Exploration information

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$35.5K

$51.5K

$76.5K

How much do exploration jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for exploration in the United States is $51,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $60,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Exploration job?

An Exploration job involves searching for and assessing natural resources such as minerals, oil, gas, or other valuable materials. Professionals in this field use geological surveys, remote sensing, and drilling techniques to locate and evaluate potential extraction sites. These roles are common in industries like mining, energy, and environmental research. Exploration jobs often require fieldwork in remote locations and collaboration with engineers, geologists, and scientists.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Exploration position, and why are they important?

To excel in an Exploration role, you typically need a strong background in geology, earth sciences, or engineering, often supported by a relevant degree or field experience. Technical proficiency with GIS software, mapping tools, field sampling equipment, and sometimes certifications in safety or remote operations is highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this profession. These qualities are vital because exploration work often involves challenging environments, complex data analysis, and close collaboration to identify and evaluate potential resource sites.

What are some of the main challenges faced in an Exploration role?

Professionals in Exploration often work in remote, sometimes harsh environments, which can present logistical and safety challenges. Managing unpredictable variables such as weather, terrain, and limited access to resources requires adaptability and preparation. Team collaboration is essential, as projects commonly involve interdisciplinary groups including geologists, engineers, and environmental scientists. You may also be required to spend extended periods away from home, depending on the project location. However, these challenges are balanced by the opportunity to make significant discoveries and contribute to resource development.

What are some careers to explore?

Careers to explore include roles in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), healthcare, education, and business. These careers often require specific skills, certifications, or degrees and can involve working in various environments like offices, labs, or outdoor settings.

What jobs involve exploration?

Jobs that involve exploration include roles such as geologists, archaeologists, surveyors, and explorers, who investigate new areas, natural resources, or historical sites. These positions often require fieldwork, specialized equipment, and knowledge of environmental or scientific principles.
What cities are hiring for Exploration jobs? Cities with the most Exploration job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Exploration jobs? The most popular types of Exploration jobs are:
What states have the most Exploration jobs? States with the most job openings for Exploration jobs include:
Infographic showing various Exploration job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 56% Full Time, 42% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,494 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Exploration - Principal Exploration Geochemist

Barrick

Salt Lake City, UT โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Regional/Principal Geochemist

Would you like to build your career at the intersection of geology, data, and technology within a world-class mining organization? We have an exciting opportunity for you!

Barrick is seeking a Regional/Principal Geochemist to join our team. The Regional / Principal Geochemist works closely with district teams and the regional technical group, supporting programs from regional-scale generative exploration through to advanced greenfield, brownfield, and near-mine targets. The role is focused on integrating geochemical data into the broader geological framework in a way that enhances vectoring, targeting, and discovery potential for gold and/or copper systems, contributing materially to company growth.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide expert geochemical leadership, guidance, and technical oversight to the North America Exploration teams, spanning field-based and desktop activities. The role covers the full geochemical workflow, including survey and program design, sampling strategies, QA/QC, data management, interpretation, integration, and advanced modelling (2D to 4D workups), ensuring geochemistry is applied rigorously and effectively to support discovery.

All work is undertaken with a strong emphasis on field validation, data quality, technical rigor, safety, efficiency, and alignment with Barrick Gold Corporation values.

At Barrick, our vision is to be the world's most valued gold mining business by finding, developing, and operating the best assets with the best people. In this role, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, leverage advanced geoinformation systems, and contribute to digital and data-driven initiatives that directly support exploration outcomes. You will be encouraged to explore new technologies, propose innovative solutions, and help continuously improve the way geoscientific data is managed and used.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide technical leadership and oversight for all geochemical activities across North America, including survey design, sampling strategies, QA/QC frameworks, data management, interpretation, and integration.
  • Guide and support exploration teams in the design and execution of geochemical programs across diverse environments and deposit styles (e.g. Carlin-type, orogenic, epithermal, porphyry gold/copper, and intrusion related systems) across Canada, USA, and Dominican Republic.
  • Ensure exploration teams collect high-quality geochemical data and apply best-practice QA/QC protocols, including periodic review and updating written sampling procedures across the region.
  • Ensure external, legacy, and newly acquired geochemical datasets are rigorously validated, quality-controlled, and integrated in accordance with regional and corporate standards prior to interpretation.
  • Drive and facilitate multi-element geochemical data interpretation, 2D, 3D and 4D geochemical modelling (e.g. lithological, alteration, and mineralization types), and integration of geochemical layers into GIS and geological (leapfrog) models.
  • Integrate geochemistry into regional and project-scale geological interpretations, and other geoscience datasets (e.g. SWIR mineralogy, geophysics, remote sensing, petrography, etc.), enhancing targeting under cover, vectoring toward mineralization, and overall discovery effectiveness.
  • Support advanced exploration and near-mine programs through ore characterization, alteration studies, and geochronology in collaboration with all team members.
  • Actively seek, evaluate, and implement new geochemical techniques, technologies, and data-leveraging approaches, drawing on both internal initiatives and external research programs.
  • Monitor and translate outcomes from external geochemical research projects into practical applications for North American greenfield and brownfield programs.
  • Provide guidance on geochemical database structure, storage, governance, and usage ensuring data integrity and long-term usability.
  • Ensure appropriate documentation and auditing of field sampling techniques, including QA/QC protocols, sample media, sampling methods, and chain-of-custody procedures; conduct field-based training and audits as required.
  • Collaborate closely with the broader North America Exploration team to ensure geochemical results are always interpreted within a sound geological context.
  • Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with safety, health, environmental, and quality policies and procedures, with clear recognition and management of risks inherent to exploration and field operations.
  • Perform other duties as required

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Geology or Geochemistry or equivalent; a thesis-based Master's or PhD degree in Geology or Geochemistry is strongly preferred
  • Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in applied geochemistry, preferably within mineral exploration, with demonstrated contribution to gold and/or copper discovery or value creation preferred
  • Strong understanding of multiple gold and copper deposit types (Carlin-type, orogenic, epithermal, porphyry, and intrusion-related systems in particular), mineralization models, and the geochemical expression of geological processes relevant to exploration preferred
  • Strong understanding of surficial environments and impacts on geochemical sampling and interpretation that are common across North America (e.g. boreal forest, desert, glacial deposits, swamps, etc.). Experience with exploration through cover including the generation and utilization of regolith maps preferred
  • Demonstrated experience in the validation, integration, interpretation, and modelling of large, multi-disciplinary geochemical datasets, ensuring data quality and geological coherence preferred
  • Proven capability in geochemical data analysis and interpretation tools (e.g. R, ioGAS or equivalent), GIS platforms (ArcGIS, QGIS), and 3D modelling software (e.g. Leapfrog).
  • Proficiency of advanced statistics and applicability to working up geochemical data sets to enhance geological knowledge and targeting preferred
  • Experience leveraging geochemical data sets utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence tools preferred
  • Strong understanding of best-practice QA/QC, with experience providing regional oversight, accountability, and continuous improvement across exploration programs preferred
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex geochemical interpretations into clear, actionable insights for both technical teams and senior management.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing exploration needs required
  • Willingness and ability to travel extensively and conduct field-based work across a wide range of terrains and operating environments with a strong commitment to safety required
  • Highly motivated, innovative, and discovery-focused with a proven track record of value creation or clear contribution to exploration success preferred

What We Can Offer You

  • A comprehensive compensation package including a competitive medical, dental, and vision plan with national provider networks, a 401k retirement plan with employer contribution, paid time off, company-sponsored medical clinics, company match share purchase program, and much more!
  • Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
  • Opportunities to grow and learn with the industry colleagues are endless.
  • Access to a variety of career opportunities across the organization.

Barrick is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity

Thank you for your application, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Identification 238285

Job Category Geology

Job Schedule Full time

Locations Elko, NV, United States