Metallurgist

Kinross Gold Corporation; Kettle River (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinross Gold Corporation seeks a Metallurgist to support the Processing Plant and Tailings Facility in optimizing production, recovery, and product quality. You will monitor performance, analyze data, and troubleshoot metallurgical issues alongside Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.

The role emphasizes applying sound metallurgical practice, planning test work, and contributing to continuous improvement projects in a hands-on mining environment in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or closely related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, or related environment.
• Accurate, precise work with good computer and modelling understanding.
• Knowledge of cost calculation and cash flow analysis preferred.
• Strong communication skills and ability to support stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide metallurgical and technical support to optimize production, recovery, product quality, and process stability.
• Monitor, analyze, and report plant performance including throughput, recovery, and water recovery.
• Conduct metallurgical sampling, testing, mass balances, and data analysis.

Skills

Metallurgical Engineering

Mineral Processing

Chemical Engineering

Process optimization

Data analysis

Mentoring

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering

Job description

Under the supervision of the Chief Metallurgist, the incumbent undertakes assorted fundamental research and development projects with the end objective of improving the heap-leach, process plant operation, and maintenance efficiency. The incumbent will be involved with the day-to-day safe production, plant/leach pad improvements, quality control, and trouble-shooting problems within the process department. The incumbent will introduce sound metallurgical practice to all process changes and recovery improvements and will support the operational areas looking for more efficient processes.

Essential Functions

• Provide metallurgical and technical support to the Processing Plant and Tailings Facility to optimize production, recovery, product quality, and process stability.
• Monitor, analyze, and report plant performance, including throughput, recovery, reagent consumption, product quality, tailings characteristics, and water recovery.
• Conduct metallurgical sampling, testing, mass balances, metallurgical accounting, and data analysis to identify process losses and improvement opportunities.
• Troubleshoot metallurgical and process issues and work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Plan and execute metallurgical test work, plant trials, process optimization studies, and continuous improvement projects.
• Provide technical support for tailings processing, including tailings characterization, thickening/dewatering, pumping, deposition, settling, and water recovery, as applicable.
• Maintain accurate metallurgical data, databases, calculations, and performance reports; prepare routine and technical reports for management.
• Develop and maintain metallurgical procedures, sampling protocols, operating guidelines, and performance standards.
• Support process optimization, commissioning, ramp-up, debottlenecking, and implementation of plant modifications.
• Collaborate with Tailings, Environmental, Process Engineering, Operations, and Mine Technical Services personnel to understand and manage the interaction between plant performance, tailings, and site water balance.
• Participate in risk assessments, Management of Change, incident investigations, and other site safety and environmental programs.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior metallurgists, technicians, and operations personnel.
• Maintain a strong field presence and promote safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient operating practices.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, or a related processing environment.
• Accuracy and precise work, good computer skills, and an understanding of computer modelling are required.
• Ensure that sound engineering practice and principles are used.
• Knowledge of first principle cost calculation and basic cash flow analysis is preferred.
• Good communication skills and the ability to provide technical assistance and analysis to process group stakeholders are preferred.
• Experience working in an operating mineral processing plant is strongly preferred.
• Experience with tailings, thickening, filtration, water recovery, or tailings deposition is preferred.
• Experience with metallurgical accounting, mass balancing, sampling, and process data analysis.
• Experience conducting plant trials and metallurgical test work.
• Valid Drivers License and authorized to work in the US

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

• Adheres to all safety and environmental considerations
• Have a strong commitment to safe working practices
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment
• Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions
• Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements
• Creates an environment where nothing is more important than every employee returning home safe and healthy every day
• Creates an environment in which people are unfailingly treated with respect
• Fosters the talent and potential of all employees by enabling them to grow, develop, and make a difference in the organization
• Demonstrates that leadership in the areas of environmental performance and community and stakeholder relations is fundamental to the way we plan and manage our business
• Holds self and others accountable for the decisions, commitments, and behaviors required to deliver outstanding results
• Uses judgment to manage business complexities, prioritize and balance conflicting demands to make timely decisions that best advance Kinross strategy
• Builds and brings teams and people together to achieve organizational goals. Models humility by going beyond self-interest for the good of the group
• Understands the economic implications of decisions and consistently uses all resources effectively and efficiently to maximize shareholder value
• Relentlessly champions, develops, and embeds best practices
• Strategic Effectiveness

Developing and communicating rigorous and creative business strategies that drive sustainable value

Understanding and building relationships with external parties that strengthen and sustain competitive advantage

• Business Focus

Applying commercial rigor and discipline to all business decisions and customer relationships

• Living the Kinross Values
  Aligning behavior, decisions, and actions with Kinross values and principles

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.