Senior Metallurgist - Autoclave

Metso Corporation; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A global mineral processing company is seeking a Senior Metallurgist for its gold processing plant in Riyadh. The successful candidate will monitor and optimize metallurgical processes, conduct thorough analyses, and work closely with laboratory and operations teams to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. With a focus on effective communication, this role requires 8+ years of experience in hydrometallurgy and a relevant degree. Accommodation is provided on-site.

Benefits

Accommodation provided at site

Transportation and flights to/from site

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in gold processing, preferably in pressure oxidation or associated circuits.
• Strong knowledge of sulfide oxidation reactions and solid-liquid separation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with teams.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily performance of metallurgical processing circuits.
• Analyze key performance parameters and recommend optimizations.
• Conduct troubleshooting and root cause investigations.
• Prepare and present metallurgical performance reports.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Acid-base chemistry

Data interpretation

Hands-on lab experience

Communication skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering or related discipline

Tools

AAS

ICP-OES

Titrations

Redox/pH probes

Job description

Overview

Metso Saudi Arabia is looking for a Senior Metallurgist for Autoclave to a gold processing plant. The site is in a remote area and accommodation is provided at a camp close to the site. Working time is 12 hours per day, 6 days a week. The site operates with roster; transportation and flights to/from the site are provided by Metso.

Purpose of the job is to be responsible for monitoring, optimizing, and improving metallurgical performance across the autoclave, acidulation, neutralization, and filter press circuits of the gold processing plant. The role involves conducting and coordinating metallurgical analysis, reviewing day-to-day operations, and making timely adjustments to ensure plant stability, recovery, and compliance with safety and environmental standards. The Metallurgist will work closely with laboratory staff to ensure that all required analyses are carried out accurately and used effectively in decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the daily performance of the autoclave, acidulation, neutralization, and filter press circuits, ensuring safe, efficient, and stable operation.
• Track and analyze key parameters, such as:
• Autoclave: sulfide sulfur oxidation, acid balance, temperature, pressure, oxygen utilization, and free acid levels.
• Acidulation/Neutralization: pH, redox potential, lime consumption, scaling potential, and gypsum formation.
• Filter Press: filtration cycle times, cake moisture, filtrate clarity, bunker levels, and sulfur content in filter cake.
• Review plant laboratory results and request additional analysis when required, including:
• Sulfide sulfur (S²⁻) and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) measurements.
• Dissolved oxygen, free acidity, and carbonate levels.
• Residual cyanide impact on downstream circuits.
• Sulfur content and elemental sulfur balance in filter products.
• Work closely with the Laboratory Metallurgist and lab technicians to ensure all critical tests are carried out accurately and on time.
• Recommend and implement process adjustments to optimize recovery, reduce reagent consumption, and prevent scaling, corrosion, or filtration bottlenecks. Examples include:
• Adjusting oxygen injection and slurry density in the autoclave.
• Optimizing lime addition rates in neutralization.
• Controlling temperature and acid dosing to maintain circuit balance.
• Modifying filter press operation parameters to improve throughput and cake quality.
• Conduct troubleshooting and root cause investigations of process upsets, equipment scaling, filtration issues, or unusual assay results.
• Prepare daily and monthly metallurgical reports, highlighting trends, issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Support metallurgical test work programs to evaluate new reagents, operating conditions, or equipment modifications.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and metallurgical accounting standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, or related discipline.
• 8+ years’ experience in hydrometallurgy or gold processing, preferably in pressure oxidation (POX), autoclave operations, or associated circuits.
• Strong knowledge of acid-base chemistry, sulfide oxidation reactions, neutralization, and solid-liquid separation.
• Hands-on experience with plant and laboratory analysis methods (AAS, ICP-OES, titrations, redox/pH probes).
• Ability to interpret data and translate into actionable process improvements.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with laboratory, operations, and maintenance teams
• English skills (written and spoken)

Technical competence

• Metal Accounting/ Materials Testing and Analysis/ Sample Preparation and Examination/ Chemical and Physical Analyses/ Equipment Operation and Maintenance/ Collaboration and Reporting
• Process Monitoring & Optimization
• Metallurgical Analysis & Interpretation
• Filter Press & Solid-Liquid Separation Knowledge
• Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting
• Technical Reporting & Communication
• Safety & Environmental Compliance

Collaboration and stakeholders

• Cooperation with all stakeholders at the site
• Cooperation with all stakeholders at the market area

Equal Employment Opportunity

Metso is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

About Metso

Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. We improve our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase their productivity, and reduce environmental risks with our product and service expertise. We are the partner for positive change. Metso is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. At the end of 2024 Metso had close to 17,000 employees in around 50 countries, and sales in 2024 were about EUR 4.9 billion. Metso is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.