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Geology Lab Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... lab) per year. Must be able to teach all required Geology coursework and labs either on campus or in an online format Specific Position Duties Teach assigned courses in the curriculum; Teach Web, Web ...

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Project Geologist

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

... geology projects throughout Southern California. This role offers a strong mix of fieldwork and ... Review lab and field data and support engineering analyses * Coordinate with project managers ...

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Project Geologist

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

... geology projects throughout Southern California. This role offers a strong mix of fieldwork and ... Review lab and field data and support engineering analyses * Coordinate with project managers ...

Geologist

Eveleth, MN · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Complete monthly geology reconciliation reports. * Create blast reserve reports * Maintain daily ... outside lab and input data into systems for updating resource and reserve estimates * Develop ...

Geologist

Taconite, MN

$80K - $100K/yr

Complete monthly geology reconciliation reports. * Create blast reserve reports * Maintain daily ... outside lab and input data into systems for updating resource and reserve estimates * Develop ...

Bachelor's degree in Geology or a related field. * Minimum of 2 years of experience in geological ... Support lab sample testing procedures, maintaining quality control and providing technical guidance.

Support lab sample testing procedures, maintaining quality control and providing technical guidance. * Integrate geological and geophysical data, analyzing and interpreting results for project needs.

Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, or Geo-metallurgy. * Experience: * Five (5) ... Supervision of four technicians in daily tasks required to deliver various samples to the lab for ...

... to assay lab. * Assist in updating grade-control geology models. * Provide mine operations with geological reports working with other technical services functions to safely inform mine design ...

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Geology Lab information

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$36K

$77K

$124.5K

How much do geology lab jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for geology lab in the United States is $77,030.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,000.00 and $93,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do geologists work in a lab?

Yes, geologists often work in laboratories to analyze rock, mineral, and soil samples using tools like microscopes and chemical tests. Laboratory work is a common part of geology jobs, alongside fieldwork and data interpretation.

What are 5 potential jobs for geology?

Potential jobs for geology include geologist, environmental consultant, petroleum geologist, mining analyst, and hydrogeologist. These roles often require fieldwork, data analysis, and knowledge of earth materials, with opportunities in energy, environmental, and resource industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Geology Lab Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Geology Lab Technician, you need a background in geology or earth sciences, laboratory experience, and attention to detail, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, sample preparation techniques, and data analysis software such as GIS or spectrometry tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help individuals excel in this role. These skills ensure accurate analysis, safe laboratory practices, and reliable results that support scientific and industrial projects.

What do you do in a geology lab?

A geology lab technician or scientist analyzes rock, mineral, and soil samples to identify their composition and properties. They use tools such as microscopes, spectrometers, and chemical tests, often following safety protocols and documenting findings for research or exploration purposes.

What are some typical responsibilities and challenges faced by professionals working in a geology lab?

Professionals in a geology lab often handle tasks such as preparing and analyzing rock, mineral, and soil samples, operating specialized equipment, and maintaining detailed records of their findings. A common challenge is ensuring the precision and accuracy of analyses while managing a high volume of samples, especially under tight deadlines. Collaboration with field geologists and research scientists is frequent, as lab results directly inform ongoing projects and fieldwork. Adaptability and strong attention to detail are key for success in this dynamic, research-driven environment.

What is the highest paying geology job?

The highest paying geology jobs are often in senior roles such as petroleum geologists, exploration managers, or geoscience directors, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and often involve working in the oil and gas industry or consulting firms.

What is a geology lab?

A geology lab is a specialized facility where geologists and students analyze and study rocks, minerals, fossils, and other geological materials. These labs are equipped with tools such as microscopes, rock saws, and spectrometers to conduct various tests and experiments. The primary goal of a geology lab is to help researchers and students understand the physical and chemical properties of Earth's materials, interpret geological processes, and contribute to fields such as environmental science, mining, and natural resource management.

What is the difference between Geology Lab vs Geoscience Technician?

AspectGeology LabGeoscience Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in geology or earth sciencesOften requires an associate's or bachelor's degree in geosciences or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, analyzing samples and dataField and laboratory work, collecting and processing geological data
Industry UsageUsed in research, mineral exploration, environmental testingCommon in exploration, environmental consulting, and resource management

Both roles involve geological work but differ mainly in setting and scope. Geology Lab specialists focus on laboratory analysis, while Geoscience Technicians often combine fieldwork with lab tasks. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

More about Geology Lab jobs
What cities are hiring for Geology Lab jobs? Cities with the most Geology Lab job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Geology Lab jobs? The most popular types of Geology Lab jobs are:
What states have the most Geology Lab jobs? States with the most job openings for Geology Lab jobs include:
Infographic showing various Geology Lab job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Locum Tenens, 6% Internship, 71% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,030 per year, or $37 per hour.
General Manager - Geology and Mine Planning

General Manager - Geology and Mine Planning

ASARCO LLC

Sahuarita, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


ASARCO rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 32 rated mining


Job description

General Manager - Geology and Mine Planning
The General Manager of Technical Services provides enterprise-wide leadership, governance, and strategic direction for all technical services functions across ASARCO's mining operations. This role is accountable for establishing a high-performance technical services organization that delivers integrated mine planning, ore control, geology, geotechnical engineering, assay laboratory operations and survey excellence across all sites.
As a key member of the senior leadership team, the General Manager ensures that technical services capabilities are standardized, data-driven, and aligned with ASARCO's business strategy, operational execution, and long-term value creation. The role drives integration between mine planning, operations, metallurgy, maintenance, and digital transformation initiatives and the Resource Center of Excellence (COE).
This position owns technical governance, planning integrity, and resource optimization across short-, mid-, and long-range horizons, ensuring that mine plans are executable, economically optimized, and aligned with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
Essential Functions:
Enterprise Technical Leadership & Governance
  • Lead and standardize Technical Services functions across all ASARCO sites, including mine planning, geology, ore control, geotechnical, assay laboratory operations, and survey.
  • Establish and enforce technical governance, standards, and operating models across sites, including planning cycles, reconciliation practices, and reporting frameworks.
  • Participate in the development of the Resource Center of Excellence (COE) to drive consistency, capability building, and best practice adoption.

Integrated Mine Planning & Strategy
  • Own the integrity and integration of short-, mid-, and long-range mine plans across all operations.
  • Ensure alignment between Life-of-Mine (LOM) plans, annual budgets, and quarterly execution plans.
  • Drive optimization of pit design, pushbacks, cut-off strategies, haulage profiles, and capital sequencing.
  • Lead enterprise-level trade-off analysis to optimize cost, recovery, and net present value.

Operational Integration & Execution Support
  • Ensure technical plans are executable and aligned with operational readiness, equipment capacity, and workforce capability.
  • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, SX-EW, Concentrator, and Metallurgy teams to align mine-to-mill and mine-to-leach strategies.
  • Drive plan compliance and accountability through KPI management, performance reviews, and corrective actions.

Ore Control, Reconciliation & Geology Excellence
  • Establish rigorous ore control and production geology standards to ensure optimal material routing and grade control.
  • Own reconciliation processes across all sites, ensuring transparency between model, plan, and actual performance.
  • Ensure full integration of assay data into ore control and reconciliation processes, maintaining alignment between sampling, modeling, and plant performance.
  • Drive accountability for data quality from sample collection through laboratory analysis to final reporting.
  • Drive continuous improvement in geological modeling, sampling, and data quality.

Geotechnical & Risk Management
  • Provide enterprise oversight of geotechnical design, slope stability, and hydrological management.
  • Ensure risks related to pit wall stability, groundwater, and geomechanics are proactively managed and integrated into planning.
  • Establish risk-based frameworks for safe and sustainable mine design.

Assay Laboratory & Data Integrity Oversight
  • Provide enterprise governance of assay laboratory operations, including sample preparation, analytical methods, QA/QC, and data management.
  • Drive continuous improvement in sampling practices from pit to lab to ensure representativity and consistency.
  • Monitor laboratory performance across key metrics, including accuracy, repeatability, turnaround time, and cost efficiency.

Exploration & Resource Development Oversight
  • Provide enterprise leadership and governance for exploration strategy across all operations and development projects.
  • Ensure alignment between exploration, geological modeling, resource estimation, and mine planning.

Financial Performance & Planning
  • Own mine planning inputs to budgeting, forecasting, and cost modeling processes.
  • Drive cost reduction and productivity initiatives through optimized planning and sequencing.
  • Ensure alignment between technical decisions and financial outcomes.

Leadership, Capability Building & Organizational Development
  • Build and lead a high-performing, multi-site technical services organization.
  • Develop leadership capability across Chief Engineers, Chief Geologists, and Technical Services Managers.
  • Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and decision rights across the technical organization.
  • Drive talent development, succession planning, and recruitment of critical technical roles.

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting
  • Represent Technical Services in executive leadership meetings, board reviews, and external audits.
  • Provide clear communication of technical risks, opportunities, and performance.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including SEC S-K 1300 reporting standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Deep expertise in open pit mine planning across all time horizons (short- to life-of-mine).
  • Strong understanding of ore control, geology, geotechnical engineering, and survey integration.
  • Proven ability to lead multi-site technical organizations and drive standardization.
  • Strong understanding of exploration strategy, including brownfield and greenfield programs, resource growth, and reserve replacement.
  • Advanced knowledge of mining economics, cost modeling, and optimization.
  • Experience integrating mine planning with processing (SX-EW and concentrator operations).
  • Strong capability in digital transformation, data systems, and analytics integration.
  • Executive-level communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into business decisions.
  • Demonstrated leadership in organizational transformation, governance, and performance management.
  • High level of adaptability, strategic thinking, and decision-making in complex environments.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish beneficial
  • Strong understanding of assay laboratory operations, QA/QC protocols, and sampling theory.
  • Experience with metallurgical accounting, data validation, and reconciliation processes.
  • Familiarity with LIMS systems and integration with mine planning and processing data platforms.

Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
  • Minimum 15 years of experience in open pit mining, with significant leadership responsibility.
  • At least 10 years managing multidisciplinary technical teams across multiple sites or large operations.
  • Proven track record in leading mine planning, ore control, and reconciliation in copper or polymetallic operations.
  • Experience with large-scale transformation initiatives, digital systems, or remote operations preferred.

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