Plant Metallurgist

North American Palladium Ltd.; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Health & medical insurance

Retirement savings plan

Travel allowance

Accommodation and meals provided

Job summary

Impala Canada is seeking a Metallurgy Specialist to provide technical support for mill operations at the Lac des Iles Mine, located in Northwestern Ontario. The role involves a 12‑hour shift schedule (14 on/14 off) and leadership in health, safety, and continuous improvement.

You will guide metallurgical troubleshooting, monitor performance, and develop operating strategies to maximize throughput and recovery while reducing costs. Collaboration across shifts and teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgy-related field is required.
• 2+ years of mineral processing experience preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, process optimization and plant performance improvement capability.

Responsibilities

• Provide metallurgical support to mill operations and plant metallurgists.
• Monitor performance and conduct surveys to improve throughput, recovery and costs.
• Prepare daily metallurgical balances and operator guidelines.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Develop metallurgical operating strategies to maximize performance.
• Lead lab and mill operating procedures development and review.

Skills

Metallurgical knowledge

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Data analysis

Team collaboration

English communication

Education

BEng Metallurgical/Chemical Eng

Tools

Pi-vision

Job description

Impala Canada is the owner and operator of the Lac des Iles Mine, located 90 minutes northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. In operation for 30+ years, the LDI Mine is one of only two known pure palladium sources in North America. Palladium contributes to a cleaner global environment, with its leading use being in catalytic converters that reduce harmful emissions from gas-powered and hybrid vehicles.

The LDI Mine features a unique ore body and modern infrastructure, including underground and surface mining and milling operations. The LDI Mine is in Robinson-Superior Treaty territory, and the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg and the Métis. Impala Canada actively partners with local organizations, programs and events focused on healthcare, education and community development to help enhance the quality of life for all.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Metallurgist, the successful applicant will be responsible for providing metallurgical support to mill operations.

The schedule for this position will consist of twelve (12) hour shifts, on a fourteen (14) days in and fourteen (14) days off rotation.

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety, and Environmental Leadership

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the workplace.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and frontline supervisor responsibilities.
• Actively participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action implementation.

Metallurgical Support and Process Optimization

• Provide day-to-day metallurgical support and technical guidance to mill operations and plant metallurgists.
• Monitor and evaluate metallurgical performance; and when required, conduct survey programs to improve mill throughput, recovery and costs
• Prepare daily metallurgical balances, required operational reports and guidelines for operators
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement sustainable improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain metallurgical operating strategies to maximize plant performance.

Continuous Improvement and Cost Management

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing recovery, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Monitor operating costs, identify opportunities for optimization, and implement corrective actions as required.
• Initiate and manage metallurgical projects focused on improving operational performance and reducing costs.
• Support process control optimization and data-driven decision-making.
• Prepare daily metallurgical balances, required operational reports and guidelines for operators.
• Develop, review and implement lab and mill operating procedures.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to metallurgical students.
• Ensure effective supervision and operation of the metallurgical laboratory.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across operating crews and departments.
• Collaborate effectively with cross shift to ensure smooth transition between rotations in order to provide continuous operational support

Reporting and Administration

• Act as relief for senior metallurgist

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution, required.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years experience in mineral processing within base metals or precious metals operations, preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in metallurgical troubleshooting, process optimization, and plant performance improvement.
• A strong background in crushing, grinding and Flotation would be preferred
• Experience with Pi-vision would be an asset
• Must be proficient in MS Excel and PowerPoint

Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of mineral processing and metallurgical principles required.
• Experience with process control systems and continuous improvement methodologies is considered an asset.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong ability to work effectively within a team.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and shifts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and metallurgical performance monitoring.

• base salary
• health & medical insurance
• retirement savings plan
• travel allowance
• Accommodation and meals are provided while at the mine site
• During your off-duty time enjoy various outdoor and indoor extracurricular activities

Please note that all job offers are conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment medical which includes drug and alcohol testing.