HEAD-Exploration Drilling Operations- MINES Division- Nigeria

Key Responsibilities

1. Exploration Drilling Leadership & Business Growth

• Lead the overall Exploration Drilling function and set clear technical, operational, commercial and financial objectives.
• Prepare and implement the drilling business plan, including fleet requirements, service capability, manpower, technology and growth targets.
• Develop and expand AIGs exploration drilling business in Nigeria and identify suitable opportunities in West Africa.
• Develop relationships with exploration companies, mining companies and other potential clients and build a sustainable drilling order book.
• Lead preparation of technical and commercial proposals, tenders, negotiations and contract execution.
• Identify opportunities to introduce new drilling methods, equipment and technologies to improve productivity, quality and competitiveness.

2. Technical Leadership – Exploration Drilling

• Provide technical leadership for diamond core, RC and DTH drilling programmes and ensure the correct drilling method, rig, tooling and consumables are selected for each project.
• Review drilling programmes, drill-hole plans, hole depths, diameters, casing requirements, drilling parameters and execution methodology in coordination with the Exploration and Geology teams.
• Ensure high standards of core recovery, sample quality, borehole accuracy, drilling productivity and turnaround time.
• Ensure proper core handling, logging support, sample identification, preservation and transfer in line with project QA/QC requirements.
• Ensure proper use of modern downhole survey and core-orientation systems used in exploration drilling, including Reflex and Gyro-type downhole survey tools and core-orientation tools.
• Ensure accurate measurement and control of borehole deviation, azimuth and inclination and proper use of survey data in drill-hole planning and geological interpretation.
• Monitor drilling performance and use drilling data to optimize drilling parameters, penetration rates, recovery and overall productivity.
• Provide technical solutions for difficult ground conditions, loss of circulation, hole instability, poor recovery, excessive deviation and other drilling challenges.
• Ensure drilling outputs are suitable for exploration, resource-definition, infill and extension drilling programmes.

3. P&L and Financial Management

• Own and manage the annual budget, forecast and P&L of the Exploration Drilling function.
• Take responsibility for revenue, profitability, EBITDA, working capital and capital expenditure within the approved business plan.
• Drive cost per metre, rig utilization, drilling productivity, consumables efficiency and overall cost control.
• Prepare business cases for acquisition, replacement and upgrading of drilling rigs and related equipment.
• Monitor project profitability, contract performance, cash flow and commercial risks and take timely corrective action.

4. Drilling Operations & Fleet Performance

• Plan and manage drilling operations across multiple rigs and sites, ensuring programmes are completed safely, on time and within budget.
• Set and monitor drilling KPIs covering metres drilled, penetration rate, core recovery, rig utilization, mechanical availability, downtime and cost per metre.
• Ensure effective preventive maintenance, breakdown maintenance, spare-parts planning and workshop support to maximize rig availability.
• Ensure appropriate planning of rigs, compressors, support equipment, tooling and consumables before mobilization to site.
• Review daily, weekly and monthly drilling performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Maintain proper drilling records, operational reports and performance dashboards.

5. HSE, Quality & Environmental Responsibility

• Provide visible leadership for safe drilling operations and maintain a strong zero-harm culture.
• Ensure compliance with AIG HSE requirements, Nigerian regulations and client HSE standards.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments, equipment inspections, toolbox meetings, emergency arrangements and incident reporting are implemented.
• Ensure drilling activities follow approved environmental practices covering water, waste, drilling fluids and site rehabilitation.
• Ensure incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions are investigated and corrective actions are implemented.
• Maintain appropriate technical and quality standards throughout drilling operations.

6. People & Team Leadership

• Lead and develop drilling engineers, supervisors, drillers, rig crews, mechanics and other support personnel.
• Set clear responsibilities, performance standards and accountability for the drilling team.
• Develop competency, training and certification programmes for drilling personnel.
• Build a strong pipeline of skilled drilling personnel and succession plans for key positions.
• Promote discipline, teamwork, safety awareness, technical excellence and continuous improvement.

7. Systems, Software & Materials Management

• Ensure effective use of drilling-planning and drilling-execution software for drill-hole planning, programme scheduling, drilling progress, survey data, reporting and performance monitoring.
• Ensure drilling data and operational information are captured accurately and available for technical and management review.
• Have working knowledge of ERP systems used for drilling stores and materials management.
• Ensure proper processes for indenting/requisitioning, inventory management, material issue slips, stock reconciliation, consumables tracking and procurement coordination.
• Monitor critical drilling consumables, spares and tooling to avoid operational delays while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.

8. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective relationships with key clients and ensure quality, contract compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate with Exploration/Geology, Engineering, Procurement, Finance, HR, Logistics and HSE functions.
• Engage drilling-equipment OEMs, suppliers, consultants, regulators and host communities as required.
• Represent AIG Exploration Drilling in client meetings, technical discussions, industry forums and other relevant engagements.