Operator (CLP)

Iluka Resources; Eneabba; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Iluka Resources in Eneabba, WA, is establishing Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery and recruiting experienced Operators for the CLP area to start in early 2027. The site operates on a 7 days on, 7 off roster with BIBO accommodation.

You will contribute to water/fluids commissioning, reagent handling, mass balance monitoring and safe in-field operations across CLP and reagent regeneration, while guiding in-field teams and refining procedures.

Qualifications

• Five-plus years experience operating rare earths, synthetic rutile, lithium, vanadium or nickel laterite refineries.
• Extensive experience in C3 (water) and C4 (feed) commissioning in same plant types.
• Ability to lead small teams during commissioning, quickly, flexibly and safely solving problems to maintain schedule.
• Extensive experience in operating Distributed Control Systems.
• Ability to make quick and competent decisions in large-scale operating environments from multiple sources of information.
• Strong ability to understand and manage plant mass balance, quality and recovery with trend analysis and lab data.

Responsibilities

• Undertake water and fluid commissioning in all areas of the refinery
• First fills of reagents
• Feed on commissioning for the cracking, leaching, purification and reagent regeneration areas
• Manage quality, recovery and mass balance of CLP, reagent production and reagent regeneration areas of the refinery when undertaking control room operator role
• Direct and manage in-field operators
• Creation of trends to assist in problem-solving
• Undertake representative and safe in-field sampling
• Keep circuits clean and free of spillages
• Design, creation, hanging and removing isolation and work permits
• Log circuit performance, observations and changes to set points
• Follow and help refine operational procedures

Skills

Operator experience

DCS systems

Problem solving

Leadership

Decision making

Tools

SCADA

PLC

Job description

• Join Australia’s first fully integrated rare earths refinery

• Site-based - Eneabba, WA
  

Iluka Resources is a leading global producer of the criticalminerals zirconand high-grade titanium dioxide feedstocks (rutile and synthetic rutile). Iluka has also strategically stockpiled a rare earth concentrate for the last three decades. Rare earth elements are essential for defence, medical, glass, fuels, optical, consumer electronics, robotics, electric and hybrid vehicles, emissions reduction, renewable energy, as well as most items that use electric motors.

Most people use products containing rare earths or utilise rare earths in their manufacturing more than 50 times a day. In partnership with the Australian Government, Iluka is building a globally significant rare earths refinery at Eneabba in Western Australia’s Mid-West. The refinery will convert both the existing stockpile and many other feed sources into separated rare earth oxides. Construction of the refinery is now 60% complete. With start-up fast approaching, Iluka is now commencing recruitment to operate the refinery.

About the refinery

Refinery management will be split into two broad areas:

• Cracking, Leaching and Purification (CLP)

• Solvent Extraction and Product Finishing (SXPF)
  

CLP cracks, leaches and purifies the rare earths in a solution form, ready for downstream separation. CLP also regenerates reagents on site for recycling and re-use.

About the roles

We are seeking experienced Operators to fill the initial operating roles in the CLP area of the refinery. These roles are scheduled to commence in early 2027.

These positions will operate on a 7 days on, 7 days off, 7 nights on, 7 nights off roster.

With Eneabba located three hours north of Perth and 1.5 hours south of Geraldton, the site will operate on a bus-in, bus-out (BIBO) roster, with new camp accommodation and facilities provided.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake water and fluid commissioning in all areas of the refinery

• First fills of reagents

• Feed on commissioning for the cracking, leaching, purification and reagent regeneration areas

• Manage quality, recovery and mass balance of CLP, reagent production and reagent regeneration areas of the refinery when undertaking control room operator role

• Direct and manage in-field operators

• Creation of trends to assist in problem-solving

• Undertake representative and safe in-field sampling

• Keep circuits clean and free of spillages

• Design, creation, hanging and removing isolation and work permits

• Log circuit performance, observations and changes to set points

• Follow and help refine operational procedures
  

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Five-plus years experience operating rare earths, synthetic rutile, lithium, vanadium or nickel laterite refineries

• Extensive experience in C3 (water) and C4 (feed) commissioning in the same types of plants

• Ability to lead small teams during commissioning, quickly, flexibly and safely solving problems to maintain schedule

• Extensive experience in operating Distributed Control Systems

• Ability to make quick and competent decisions in large-scale operating environments from multiple sources of information

• A strong ability to understand and manage plant mass balance, quality and recovery with a combination of in-field look/listen/smell/feel observations, trend analysis and assessment of laboratory assays
  

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,

Applications close: 1 October 2026

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