Manager, Exploration

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is transforming the future?

Who We Are  

We are Vale Base Metals – a global supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future.

With industry-leading reserves of copper and nickel in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, and state-of-the-art infrastructure in the U.K., Canada, and Japan, VBM delivers a secure and responsible supply of high-quality products to customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Global demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially. From energy to aerospace, batteries to magnets, robotics to artificial intelligence, a secure and responsible supply of critical minerals is fundamental to power modern technologies. And at Vale Base Metals, we are transforming our business to provide a secure and responsible supply of these minerals.

Join our diverse team of 13,000 talented individuals committed to providing mineral security to a world in transition. We invite you to put your skills to work, driving meaningful and enduring change while enjoying a rewarding career.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Manager, Exploration to join our Exploration team in Voisey’s Bay, Labrador, a fly-in fly-out operation.

The role is a permanent on-site position, working 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off rotational schedule.

As a Manager, Exploration, you will lead and oversee exploration programs supporting resource growth and mine life extension across the Voisey's Bay region. You will manage a team of geoscience professionals and contractors, provide technical leadership, operational oversight, and budget accountability while ensure exploration activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with business objectives.

Your experience and skills will help identify and advance new mineral opportunities, strengthen geological understanding of existing orebodies, and support the long-term growth of Vale Base Metals' critical minerals portfolio.

Additionally, in this position you will:

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of geologists, technical professionals, and contractors.
• Oversee the planning and execution of surface, underground, and regional exploration programs.
• Act as the senior exploration leader on site during rotation periods, ensuring safe and effective program delivery.
• Manage exploration budgets, schedules, resources, and contractor performance.
• Provide technical direction and strategic exploration support to operational and growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, technical services, Indigenous communities, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure exploration data, reporting, and governance standards are maintained and support informed decision-making.
• Support resource growth, mine life extension, and the advancement of exploration targets.
• Ensure all exploration activities are executed in compliance with safety, environmental, regulatory, and company standards.
• Support permitting, approvals, and community engagement activities required for exploration programs. 

What We Offer You  

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, flex health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)  
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities
• Chartered flights within Newfoundland & Labrador
• 24/7 access to a fully stocked cafeteria with balanced meals prepared by our culinary team
• Access to recreational facilities and social activities (cardio/weight room, gymnasium, music room, movie theatre, etc.)
• Accommodations are equipped with cable TV, internet, and unlimited long-distance calling
• All Personal Protective Equipment is provided upon hire. Employees are given a safety boot allowance and receive a 100% reimbursement for prescription safety glasses 

About You  

Education:

• An undergraduate degree in a Bachelor of Science (Geology or Earth Sciences).  
• B. Sc (Honours) is preferred
• Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) designation or eligibility for registration is required. 

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressive exploration experience, including leadership responsibility within mining or mineral exploration environments. 
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams, contractors, and exploration programs in remote operating environments.  
• Experience managing exploration budgets, resources, and drilling programs. 

Skills:

• Strong exploration geology expertise with experience planning and executing brownfield and/or operational exploration programs.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including coaching, mentoring, and developing technical teams.  
• Experience managing large-scale drill programs, contractor performance, and project execution.  
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate across operations, engineering, technical services, communities, and external partners.  
• Experience developing and managing budgets, resources, and exploration priorities in a safety-focused environment. 

Why Newfoundland and Labrador 

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's easternmost province, is known for its rugged coastline, rich cultural heritage, and significant natural resources. The province's economy is bolstered by a robust mining sector, where Vale Base Metals’ integrated operations play a crucial role.

At Long Harbour, we operate a state-of-the-art processing plant, which refines nickel concentrate from Vale Base Metals’ Voisey's Bay mine, located in Labrador, into nickel, copper, and cobalt products. This plant is a cornerstone of our commitment to value-added processing in Canada. Meanwhile, the Voisey's Bay mine is one of the world's most substantial nickel deposits. It provides high-quality nickel, copper, and cobalt, essential for the 21st century economy.

Include to Transform 

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people can act like owners, being their authentic selves and empowering them to deliver results. Vale Base Metals encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

Vale recognizes the Impacts and Benefits Agreements with the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government in which Innu and Inuit workers have first preference for employment at the Voisey’s Bay Mine Site. This is guided by an adjacency principle that first gives preference to those who live on the coast of Labrador, followed by those residing in the rest of Labrador, those residing on the island of the province, followed by the rest of Canada.

Next, priority will be given to Newfoundland and Labrador residents. We also welcome those who are willing to relocate back home and those looking to make NL their permanent home.

Accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Innu Nation members and Nunatsiavut beneficiaries can submit their application to their Vale Indigenous Employment Coordinator.

Employees engaged by the Company must be lawfully able to work for the Company in the country where the role is located. The Company does not provide immigration, work permit, or permanent residence sponsorship or assistance.

Pay Grade:  14V  
Apply by: November 27, 2026
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