Metallurgical Coordinator

Luka Resources; Eneabba; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Iluka Resources seeks a Metallurgical Coordinator to lead water and feed commissioning of the refinery’s solvent extraction area at Eneabba, WA. The role operates on a 9 days on, 1 day off roster, with new camp facilities and travel flexibility.

You will oversee eight SX circuits, manage quality, mass balances, and ramp up to nameplate capacity, mentoring engineers and shift operators in process control and safety.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience operating solvent extraction plants of >200 stages, with at least five years in supervisor roles.
• Extensive experience in C4 (feed on) commissioning of rare earths solvent extraction circuits in full-scale plants.
• Ability to lead multiple small teams during commissioning, quickly, flexibly and safely solving problems to maintain schedule.
• Extensive experience in operating Distributed Control Systems.
• Strong understanding of solvent extraction chemistry with ability to calculate and assess set points for circuit control.
• Experience monitoring SX circuits via DCS, lab analyses, trends and field observations.
• Experience managing SX circuit chemistry and mass balance.
• Experience managing complex solvent extraction refinery plant materials balance with multiple interdependent streams.
• Ability to read and interpret process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Experience with precipitation and calcination of rare earth products will be regarded highly.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning for eight solvent extraction circuits and evaporators; manage multiple small teams.
• Oversee quality, recovery and mass balances across circuits; mentor engineers and operators.
• Act as relief SX and PF Area Manager during absences.
• Design parameter sheets, process data spreadsheets and trends for monitoring.
• Teach SX calculations to shift coordinators and operators for better after-hours decisions.
• Manage ramp-up of circuits to nameplate capacity.
• Assist debottlenecking and design of new circuits for product expansion.
• In-field mass balance control and safe sampling training.
• Develop and refine operating procedures for circuit control.
• Lead commissioning of product finishing circuit and ramp up of product finishing trains.

Skills

Solvent extraction experience

Lead commissioning

DCS experience

Team leadership

Tools

DCS (Distributed Control Systems)

Job description

Metallurgical Coordinator LUKA RESOURCES Eneabba, WA, AU

Job Description

Join Australia's first fully integrated rare earths refinery Site-based - Eneabba, WA Iluka Resources is a leading global producer of the critical minerals, zircon and high-grade titanium dioxide feedstocks (rutile and synthetic rutile). Iluka has also established a significant position in rare earths. In partnership with the Australian Government, Iluka is building a globally significant rare earths refinery at Eneabba in Western Australia's Mid-West.

The facility will process rare earth materials into separated oxides – including both light and heavy rare earths – making it the first refinery of its kind in Australia and one of few outside China. Construction is now 60% complete. Upon commissioning in 2027, the refinery will position both Iluka and Australia at the forefront of efforts to build more resilient and diversified global supply chains for critical minerals.

Rare earth elements are essential for defence systems, medical, optical, robotics, electric and hybrid vehicles, and renewable energy technologies, as well as most items that use electric motors.

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced solvent extraction expert to take the lead role in water and feed commissioning of the refinery’s solvent extraction area. The position will operate on a 9 days on, 1 day off, 9 days on, 9 days off roster. The unusual roster is based on a 28 day cycle and has been designed to accommodate the right person who may travel from afar. New camp accommodation and facilities provided. Refinery management will be split into two broad areas: Cracking, Leaching and Purification (CLP) Solvent Extraction and Product Finishing (SXPF) Solvent extraction (SX) in rare earths is more complex than other processing applications. The site includes multiple circuits with more than 400 individual stages, splitting the initial combined feed stream into eight separate product streams.

Key responsibilities

• Lead commissioning for the eight solvent extraction circuits and evaporators for water, equilibrium establishment and ramp up, managing multiple small teams
• Lead the management of quality, recovery and mass balances for multiple solvent extraction circuits, teaching the Process Engineers, Control Room Operators and Shift Coordinators how to operate
• Act as the relief SX and PF Area Manager during absences
• Design parameter sheets, process data spreadsheets and trends to effectively monitor performance of the circuits
• Teach basic SX calculations to the shift coordinators and Control Room Operators to improve the effectiveness of after hours decision making
• Manage the process ramp up of the solvent extraction circuits to nameplate capacity
• Assist in debottlenecking of circuits to exceed nameplate capacity and assist in the design of circuits for new products
• Teach in-field control of mass balance (via standpipes)
• Teach safe and representative in-field sampling
• Create and refine operational procedures used by control room operators for circuit control
• Lead the process commissioning of the product finishing circuit (8 trains) for water and feed on
• Lead the process ramp up of the product finishing circuits

About you

• 10-plus years' experience operating solvent extraction plants of >200 stages, with at least five of these years in control room operator or supervisor roles
• Extensive experience in C4 (feed on) commissioning of rare earths solvent extraction circuits in commercially successful full-scale plants
• Ability to lead multiple small teams during commissioning, quickly, flexibly and safely solving problems to maintain schedule
• Extensive experience in operating Distributed Control Systems
• A strong understanding of solvent extraction chemistry with the ability to quickly undertake calculations and assess set point changes to maintain circuit control
• Experience monitoring SX circuits via DCS, laboratory analyses, trends and field observations
• Experience managing and recording solvent extraction circuit chemistry and mass balance
• Experience managing a complex solvent extraction refinery plant materials balance with multiple interdependent streams
• Ability to read and interpret process flow diagrams and piping and instrumentation diagrams
• Additional experience with precipitation and calcination of rare earth products will be regarded highly

What we offer

We are committed to upholding our Business Values, supporting equal opportunities, gender equality and cultural diversity. If you share our values of Integrity, Respect, Courage, Accountability and Collaboration; and you have the skills and experience to help us to succeed and deliver sustainable value,

We respect and encourage diversity in a workforce that reflects our communities.

iluka Resources is a global critical minerals company with over 70 years' industry experience in exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing and rehabilitation. The company's objective is to deliver sustainable value. We are a leading producer of zircon and high grade titanium dioxide feedstocks, rutile and synthetic rutile.

We are also set to become a globally material supplier of separated rare earth oxides, via the company's development of Australia's first fully integrated rare earths refinery at Eneabba, in Western Australia. As an international supplier of critical minerals, Iluka's products are used in an array of applications including technology, construction, medical, lifestyle and industrial uses. As the world moves towards a smarter, safer and sustainable future, 0ur high quality products are increasing in demand.

Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Iluka is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Our people are the foundation of our business and are vital to our success now and into the future. We offer an empowering and inclusive work environment. Whether you are working at one of our welcoming sites or corporate offices, you have the opportunity to build strong connections and truly belong.