Platform for African Expansion
Copper Quail Mining – Powering Africa’s Resource Future
At Copper Quail Mining, we’re more than just a recruitment service – we’re your dedicated partner in shaping the future of mining in Africa. We understand the complex nature of mining operations, and we’ve built our reputation on matching the right talent to the right roles, ensuring that our clients achieve their goals, no matter how challenging the landscape.
With years of hands-on experience in the mining sector, we take pride in being more than just a job board. We’ve walked the ground, worked in the field, and collaborated with professionals who understand the pulse of the industry. From the senior leadership teams who guide the big picture to the on-the-ground teams that make it all happen, we’re here to find talent that’s as passionate about the mining industry as we are.
Why Work With Us?
Deep Industry Expertise: Our team is composed of professionals with real-world experience in mining – not just recruiters, but people who’ve worked in the trenches, overseeing operations, managing projects, and solving the day-to-day challenges of the sector.
Global and Local Reach: Whether it’s in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, or beyond, we have a presence and network that spans across Africa and the world. Our hands-on approach means we understand local dynamics, cultural nuances, and the importance of finding candidates who fit seamlessly into your team and operations.
Tailored Recruitment Solutions: We don’t just send you resumes; we offer full-service recruitment – from executive search to talent mapping, to providing flexible staffing solutions. We know every mining project is unique, and we make sure the people we bring in are the perfect fit for your needs.
Key Areas We Specialize In
Exploration & Geology: We’re experts at finding professionals who can scout and assess new mineral deposits. Whether it’s geological surveys or resource estimation, we know the type of talent needed to succeed in this critical part of the mining process.
Mining Operations: The heart of any mining company. We’ve placed professionals who manage operations, from mine planning and extraction to overall production efficiency. These individuals are not just skilled; they’re problem-solvers who can make decisions under pressure.
Health & Safety: Safety isn’t just a requirement – it’s a responsibility. We place professionals who will go above and beyond to ensure that operations are carried out with the utmost regard for safety, protecting both people and equipment.
Environmental Management: We connect you with experts who understand how to balance operational needs with environmental impact, ensuring that you meet both local and global standards for sustainability.
Maintenance & Engineering: Without the right engineers and technicians, operations come to a halt. We find professionals who can design, build, and maintain the equipment that keeps your mining operation running smoothly.
Logistics & Supply Chain: Mining projects need a smooth flow of materials, equipment, and personnel. We place professionals who are experienced in managing complex logistics and supply chain systems that keep mining projects on track.
The Professionals We Place
Senior Executives & Management: We understand the importance of strong leadership. That’s why we help you find senior executives, such as CEOs and General Managers, who can drive strategy and lead your organization to success.
Mining Engineers: Whether it’s mine planning or operations optimization, we find engineers with the technical expertise to ensure your operation runs efficiently and profitably.
Geologists & Surveyors: We know how critical it is to have skilled geologists and surveyors who can identify promising sites and help guide the exploration process.
Health, Safety & Environment (HSE): Protecting workers and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations is non-negotiable. We place the HSE professionals who can help minimize risk and maintain safety standards.
Project Managers: These professionals are the backbone of your mining operations. We find project managers who are not only technically capable but can manage teams and drive projects to completion on time and within budget.
Technical & Operational Staff: From drill operators to technicians, we provide the skilled workers who keep your site running smoothly day in and day out.
Logistics & Supply Chain Professionals: Mining projects require seamless logistics. We place professionals who ensure your materials, equipment, and resources are always where they need to be, when they need to be there.
Our Services
Executive Search: We work closely with your leadership team to identify the exact fit for your strategic goals, conducting a targeted search to find senior executives who can take your organization to the next level.
Headhunting: We proactively find candidates with niche skills and experience – even those who may not be actively looking for new opportunities but have the potential to elevate your mining operations.
Contingency Recruitment: For positions that need to be filled quickly, we provide flexible recruitment solutions that give you access to a wide pool of candidates ready to jump in and deliver.
Outsourced Employment / Temporary Staffing: We help you scale your workforce, providing temporary or contract-based staffing solutions that keep your projects moving forward, even when your permanent headcount isn’t quite there.
Case Study: Expatriate Placements for Mining Operations in Sierra Leone
Client: Global Mining Company
Location: Sierra Leone
Position Filled: Mine Operations Manager, Senior Geologist, and HSE Manager
Sector: Mining Operations, Exploration, and Health & Safety
Project Duration: 8 Weeks
Services Provided: Executive Search, Headhunting, Relocation Assistance, Onboarding
Background: A global mining company with a strong presence across Africa was expanding into Sierra Leone. They needed experienced expatriates who could take charge of a gold mining operation, ensuring that it met both international standards and local regulations. The client sought senior-level professionals who could work closely with local teams and lead the site from construction to production.
The Challenge: Finding senior candidates with international mining expertise who were also familiar with the complexities of operating in Sierra Leone was no easy task. The client needed individuals who could navigate the country’s regulatory framework while integrating with a local workforce and meeting production targets.
Our Approach:
Comprehensive Briefing: We spent time understanding the client’s needs, speaking with their senior leadership team to define the skills, expertise, and cultural fit required for these roles.
Targeted Talent Mapping: Using our extensive network, we identified expatriates with solid backgrounds in West African mining operations, focusing on candidates who had experience in countries with similar mining conditions.
Thorough Evaluation: Over the course of 6 weeks, we assessed candidates’ technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and ability to work in a challenging, remote environment.
End-to-End Support: We managed the recruitment process, including handling relocation logistics, visa arrangements, and onboarding, ensuring a smooth transition for the new hires.
The Outcome: Within 8 weeks, we placed the right candidates in the roles of Mine Operations Manager, Senior Geologist, and HSE Manager. These professionals immediately began driving results, improving operational efficiency and reducing safety incidents on site. The client reported a seamless transition and greater confidence in the site’s management, which led to smoother project delivery.
Client Testimonial – Sierra Leone
“Copper Quail’s team didn’t just find us candidates – they found us leaders who brought invaluable experience and a hands-on approach to our operations in Sierra Leone. From day one, they understood what we needed, and their support throughout the process ensured a smooth transition. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we expand further into Africa.”
— Senior Operations Manager, Global Mining Company, Sierra Leone
Our Executive Team will get a full understanding of the culture within your organization to find the right individual that will fit right into the organization. Armed with this information they will do extensive market research and provide a list of potential individuals for approval and then target those individuals for the role. An upfront initiation fee is charged for this service and the balance on completion of the successful placement of the individual within your organization.
Our Headhunters will get a better understanding of your organization and go through the job specification thoroughly to better understand the type of individual you require for your open vacancy. Typical time from engagement through to first delivery of candidates can be as fast as 2-3 weeks. A percentage fee is only charged on the successful placement of an individual within your organization.
Contingency Recruitment follows traditional recruitment methods of placing job ads and screening of potential candidates for your open vacancy. A slower approach to the recruitment cycle but the perfect way to draw new talent by opening up to the masses. A percentage fee is only charged on the successful placement of an individual within your organization.
Softs skills in many of the African countries is somewhat lacking and not due to anyone’s fault. A simple example of this is “communication” within the organization. Simple communications within the working environment can make or break the best of the best organizations. Without it you are nowhere and we simply teach effective communication skills as one of the many training materials we have. We have a Team of trainers who have taught across the world and worked with some of the biggest companies globally.