Business Head- Geologist

A Business Head - Geologist in the Iron & Steel Industry drives the strategic, operational, and financial performance of raw material assets. This leadership role blends technical geological expertise with commercial business acumen to secure long-term iron ore, coal, and limestone reserves.

Job Summary

The Business Head manages the exploration, resource estimation, regulatory bidding, and commercial monetization of mineral blocks. Operating as a core business leader, this position ensures seamless raw material backward integration for downstream steel manufacturing plants while maximizing profitability and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Resource Planning & Monetization

• Formulate commercial strategies for acquiring mineral assets through government auctions, joint ventures, or mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
• Evaluate economic viability of new mining properties by analyzing Feasibility Studies and Detailed Project Reports (DPR).
• Drive backward integration to secure consistent, high-grade iron ore and metallurgical coal pipelines for steel production.
• Manage the annual business plan (ABP), capital expenditure (CAPEX), and operational budgets for the geology and mining vertical.

Geological Exploration & Resource Estimation

• Oversee large-scale exploration programs, mapping, core drilling, and geochemical sampling across prospective blocks.
• Validate 3D geological models and resource/reserve estimations in compliance with international reporting codes (e.g., JORC, UNFC).
• Optimize grade control and blending strategies to meet the specific chemical and physical metrics required by blast furnaces or DRI plants.
• Incorporate advanced technologies like remote sensing, GIS, and AI-driven predictive modeling into exploration workflows.

Regulatory Compliance & Liaisoning

• Lead interactions with government ministries, forest departments, and environmental bodies to secure necessary mining clearances (EC, FC).
• Ensure strict compliance with national mining statutes, mineral concession rules, and sustainable development frameworks.
• Manage statutory reporting obligations regarding mineral reserves, production data, and royalty disbursements.

Operational Leadership & Risk Management

• Direct multi-disciplinary teams of senior geologists, mine planners, legal experts, and land acquisition specialists.
• Assess supply chain risks, geopolitical factors, and market volatility affecting raw material pricing.
• Champion health, safety, and environmental (HSE) protocols to achieve zero-harm mining operations.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree (M.Sc./M.Tech) in Geology, Applied Geology, or Earth Sciences. An MBA or a management degree from a premier institute is highly desirable.
• Experience: 15–20+ years of techno-commercial experience in mineral exploration and mining, with at least 5 years in a senior business leadership or profit-center head capacity within the steel/mining sector.
• Technical Savvy: Familiarity with mine planning and geological software (e.g., Datamine, Surpac, Micromine) alongside strong financial modeling skills.
• Domain Expertise: Deep commercial understanding of the global and domestic iron ore market, auction dynamics, and steel industry raw material dynamics.
• Leadership: Exceptional negotiation, political acumen, and stakeholder management skills to navigate high-stakes regulatory environments.