Chief Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching

Socket.dev; Casa Grande (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual performance bonuses

Medical benefits

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Tuition Assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Hudbay is seeking a Chief Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching to lead the design, optimization, and operation of fine grinding, leaching, SX/EW, and related processes at the Cactus Mine in Casa Grande, AZ. You will guide test programs, manage contractors, and drive performance to meet recovery and cathode targets while ensuring safety and compliance.

The role requires extensive metallurgical leadership, budgeting, and strategic planning within a mining context, reporting to Engineering Manager

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mineral Processing, or related field.
• 15+ years in metallurgical engineering and technical management within large-scale mining or major projects.
• 5+ years in senior leadership roles with experience in concentrate leaching and hydrometallurgy.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for concentrate leaching, fine grinding, SX/EW, and related processes.
• Direct metallurgical test programs and manage EPCM contractors and laboratories.
• Set operational parameters, drive optimization, and oversee safety and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Metallurgical Engineering

Hydrometallurgy

Leadership

Project Management

Budget & Cost Control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical/Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

SX/EW knowledge

Job description

• Role Title: Chief Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching
• Reports to: Engineering Manager or Project Lead
• Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
• Location: Cactus Mine, Casa Grande, AZ

About Hudbay:

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru, and the United States.

Hudbay's operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the Company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbay's growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Cactus project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: "We care about our people, our communities, and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives, and create better futures for communities." Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Mission:

To create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging our core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Purpose of Role:

The Hudbay Cactus project is evaluating and developing a fine grind concentrate leaching technology circuit. The Chief Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching provides strategic technical leadership, vision, and operational oversight for fine-grinding, pressure/atmospheric leaching, solid-liquid separation, solvent extraction (SX), and electrowinning (EW) processes for the production of copper cathode at an adjacent SX/EW plant. Reporting to the Engineering Manager or Project Lead, this role is responsible for directing test work programs, overseeing detailed engineering and EPCM contractors, establishing operational parameters, and driving process optimization from trade-off studies through commissioning and operational handover to achieve target metal recovery and cathode production safely and efficiently.

All work will be done with the mindset and values of Hudbay Minerals: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. We value dignity and respect, caring, openness and trustworthiness.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide overarching strategic and technical leadership for concentrate leaching process circuits, including fine grinding (~10 micron target), oxidative leaching, sulfur removal, cyanidation, solvent extraction (SX), and electrowinning (EW).
• Direct comprehensive metallurgical test programs evaluating primary feedstock priorities (e.g., Copper World, Constancia concentrate) and third-party concentrates to establish optimal operational parameters and recovery modeling.
• Manage, mentor, and build a high-performing team of metallurgists, engineers, and technicians while overseeing major EPCM consultants and specialized laboratories.
• Establish long-term metallurgical strategy, quality control frameworks, and operational governance to consistently meet LME Grade A copper cathode targets.
• Champion safety, environmental sustainability, and statutory regulatory compliance across all processing designs, operational procedures, and site practices.
• Drive executive-level technical decision-making, trade-off evaluations, value engineering initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies across hydrometallurgical disciplines.
• Lead operational readiness, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and seamless transition planning from project execution to full-scale commercial operations.
• Formulate and govern departmental OPEX and CAPEX budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation, cost control, and strategic financial management.
• Lead metallurgical technical inputs for tollgate reviews, feasibility studies, executive presentations, and corporate strategic planning sessions.
• Oversee major equipment procurement strategies, technical bid evaluations (TBA), vendor alignment, and contract negotiations for critical processing infrastructure.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, technological innovation, automation, and sustainable processing initiatives.
• Establish organizational frameworks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), workforce training programs, and talent pipeline development for processing personnel.
• Represent the metallurgical discipline in senior executive meetings and perform other strategic leadership duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mineral Processing, or related field.
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive metallurgical engineering and technical management experience in large-scale mining operations or major project development, with at least 5+ years in senior leadership or managerial roles.
• Minimum 5+ years of direct experience in concentrate leaching, fine grinding, and hydrometallurgical processing plant operations or technology development.
• Proven technical expertise and leadership in hydrometallurgy, concentrate leaching, fine grinding, pressure/atmospheric leach systems, SX/EW, and mineralogy evaluation.
• Demonstrated success in leading multi-disciplinary technical teams, driving operational excellence, and managing complex project flowsheets.
• Strategic financial acumen, including budget development, CAPEX/OPEX control, contract negotiation, and resource management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Safety in Design (SID), MSHA/OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Exceptional executive communication, negotiation, cross-functional collaboration, and decision-making skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or equivalent professional registration.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Other Requirements:

Physical- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.

Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist.

Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver's license.

Why Hudbay?

• At Hudbay, our values of Dignity & Respect, Caring, Openness, and Trustworthiness are embedded into our culture by the way we work and how we interact with one another.
• We pride ourselves in providing our employees with competitive total rewards that include:
  • Annual performance bonuses
  • Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability
  • 401(k) plan with employer contribution
  • An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay
• Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.

Hudbay is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Following a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check. Depending on the specific requirements of the role, candidates may also need to undergo a physical examination, drug screening, and educational verification.