Specialist, Geological database
Top Benefits
About the role
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 Specialist, Geological database, Area to join our Geoinformation Technology team in Sudbury.
This is a permanent position.
As a Specialist, Geological database, you will implement, configure, and support geological databases and related workflows across mining and exploration operations. You will help establish trusted, governed, and auditable geological database management systems (GDMS) —particularly drillhole, sampling, geometallurgical, geotechnical, and geochemical assay data—enabling reliable downstream use in interpretation, exploration, resource evaluation, reporting, and operational decision making. Geological database management systems are designed to centralize geological data management with strong QA/QC, governance, security, and real-time validation, and this role is core to delivering these outcomes
Additionally, in this position you will:
- Implement and configure geological database workflows to support drilling, logging, sampling, dispatch, and assay ingestion processes.
- Configure and support Fusion / GDMS user experiences and enable adoption of user interface and workflow enhancements.
- Establish and maintain data quality controls by implementing validation rules and rule enforcement to prevent invalid records and improve consistency between user groups.
- Configure and manage auditing fields and traceability practices to support governance, evidence-based QA/QC, and compliance expectations.
- Administer user access and security using the GDMS application-level access control, aligning permissions and operational needs.
- Enable and script integrations and automation using Fusion APIs for importing and extracting data to applications used by downstream consumers (explorationists, GIS specialists, resource modelers, structural and geotechnical modelers, orebody knowledge experts etc.)
- Monitor and analyze databases to ensure contained data is fit-for-purpose: exploration reporting, resource/reserve reporting, geological interpretation, and decision-making.
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and improve performance and reliability of GDMS databases interactions and operational workflows, contributing to continuous optimization.
- Provide support for Fusion GDMS modules and configurations (e.g., DHLogger, Administrator, report manager, etc.), including issue triage, root-cause analysis, and vendor escalation when required.
- Support reporting workflows and practical operational outputs using Fusion reporting/query capabilities & integrating
- Develop and maintain standards, documentation, and training materials for geological data entry, validation outcomes, and end-to-end data management practices.
- Work closely with Geology, Exploration, Resource Geology, Mine Planning, Lab/Assay teams, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and vendors to deliver scalable, supported solutions.
- Translate new Fusion releases/service packs into practical operational enhancements by evaluating release notes and implementing/communicating relevant improvements.
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, 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
About You
Education:
- Diploma or Degree in Geology, Geoscience, Computer Science, Data Management,
- Engineering, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.
Experience:
- 8+ years experience working with geological databases and operational geoscience data (drillholes, samples, assays) in exploration, mining, or similar industrial environments.
- Hands-on experience implementing or supporting Datamine Fusion (GDMS) or comparable GDMS platforms, including configuration, workflows, and user support.
- Experience applying data governance/QAQC practices (validation, auditing, traceability) to ensure trusted datasets and reliable reporting.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of geological data structures and lifecycle including drilling/logging, sampling, dispatch, lab results, QA/QC, and controlled vocabularies/reference tables.
- Proficiency with relational database concepts and query practices (e.g., SQL fundamentals, data validation logic, troubleshooting data issues).
- Ability to configure and manage rule-based validation and audit practices to support data integrity and compliance outcomes.
- Familiarity with API-enabled integration patterns for importing/updating/extracting data in support of business workflows.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to translate operational needs into implementable data workflows and standards.
- Experience supporting both field and corporate/central database workflows in multi-site operating environments.
- Experience with Fusion Administrator configuration, auditing features, and governance controls.
- Exposure to modern authentication/integration approaches used in enterprise environments
- Scripting/automation experience (e.g., Python) and concepts and BI/reporting integration experience.
- Mining industry experience across Exploration, Resource Geology, Mine Geology, or Technical Services.
Why Sudbury
Greater Sudbury is a vibrant city in northeastern Ontario, renowned for its rich mining history and significant role in Canada's mineral production. The city sits atop one of the world's largest and oldest meteorite impact sites, the Sudbury Basin, which is exceptionally rich in nickel, copper, and other critical minerals that are required for modern technologies such as AI and defence. The mining sector is a cornerstone of Sudbury's economy, driving both employment and economic growth, and Vale Base Metals plays a pivotal role in this regard. Our commitment to the community is as deep as our mines.
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.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.
Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.
Pay Grade: F3T
Minimum Starting Salary: $120,000
Apply by: Thursday, June 4, 2026
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