Senior Metallurgist

wrlgold; Red Lake; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Travel accommodations

Health & dental

RRSP matching

Job summary

West Red Lake Gold Mines is seeking a Senior Metallurgist to lead the metallurgical department at the Madsen Mine in Red Lake, Ontario. The role reports to the Chief Metallurgist and drives plant optimization, data integrity, and continuous improvement to maximize recovery and throughput on a 14/14 schedule.

You will mentor metallurgists and technicians, support safety and regulatory compliance, and provide technical input to life‑of‑mine planning, ore blending strategies, and capital project

Job description

West Red Lake Gold Mines is a publicly traded gold company focused on its flagship Madsen Mine in the Red Lake Gold District. After acquiring the mine in 2023, the Company spent two years building key workflows, infrastructure, and advancing exploration across its 47-sq. km land package, with operations ramping up in H2 2025 and declaration of commercial production in January 2026.

Reporting to the Mill Manager, the Metallurgist provide technical metallurgical information and analysis to the production plant. The successful candidate will work 14/14 schedule and assist in determining the overall strategy for the mill while following safe work procedures to provide overall production and safe target support for the Red Lake Madsen Mine team.

The Senior Metallurgist is accountable for the metallurgical performance of the mill. This role leads the Metallurgical Department (metallurgists, technicians, refiners) and provides functional leadership to mill operations, driving plant optimization, robust data and reporting, continuous improvement, and safe, compliant execution. The Senior metallurgist reports directly to the Chief Metallurgist aligning themselves with the strategic planning and day to day approach.

Key Responsibilities

Metallurgical Leadership

• Own metallurgical KPIs: recovery, throughput, grind size, reagent consumption, concentrate quality.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize:
• Metallurgical balance models
• Mass and water balances
• Sampling plans and assay reconciliation (QA/QC)
• Lead metallurgical test work (ore variability, blends, reagent trials) and plant optimization/debottlenecking initiatives.
• Ensure accurate, credible, and timely metallurgical accounting, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Provide technical input to Life-of-Mine planning, ore blending strategies, and throughput/recovery forecasts.
• Act as an authority (SME) on metallurgical risk, trade‑offs, and decision-making.

Data, Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze, survey, and interpret plant operating characteristics to resolve issues and embed best practices.
• Own Processing Department data—testing, tracking, investigations, storage, accessibility—ensuring learnings are captured and communicated.
• Produce accurate and reliable metallurgical data, reports, and communications that promote credibility and confidence at site and corporate levels.
• Use scientific and engineering principles to conduct bench-scale and in-plant test work; implement findings through clear actions.
• Introduce innovative technologies, methods, and concepts where value is demonstrated.

People & Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and mentor metallurgists, metallurgical technicians, refiners, and provide functional leadership for operators.
• Build technical depth and operational capability across the department; set a high technical standard.
• Coach metallurgical staff on effective collaboration with operations teams; strengthen operating discipline through frontline leader coaching.
• Support performance management, training programs, and succession planning.
• Fosters a collaborative approach between technical aspects and operational application focussing on effective knowledge transfer.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Identify and execute opportunities to improve recoveries and throughput, reduce reagent, power, and consumable costs, and enhance plant availability and stability.
• Lead data-driven continuous improvement initiatives and root cause analyses; turn challenges into clear wins and documented learnings.
• Provide technical justification for capital projects; support capital and operating cost forecasts tied to mill performance.
• Manage projects (including capital) from concept through implementation to measurable outcomes.

Safety, Compliance & Governance

• Champion a strong safety culture within mill and metallurgical teams.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety legislation, environmental permits and discharge criteria, corporate standards, and site operating procedures.
• Ensure changes follow Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Participate in incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure all metallurgical activities align with regulatory, company, and department standards, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Ontario).
• Coaching, mentoring, and talent development
• Change management and MOC discipline
• Results orientation with measurable impact

Benefits

• Annual operation bonus program
• Flights and accommodations provided
• 100% employer paid extended health and dental program
• RRSP matching program

***Must be willing to produce a criminal background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol test**

Red Lake Madsen Mine is an equal opportunity employer who appreciates all those interested in working on this exciting project.