Metallurgist

DRA Global; Kingman (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a skilled Metallurgist to work onsite in Kingman, AZ. This role will involve optimizing metal recovery and improving concentrate quality at a mining processing plant. Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's degree in metallurgical, mineral, or chemical engineering and over two years of experience in the field. The position offers a chance to utilize analytical skills and promote safe mining practices within a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years' experience as a junior metallurgist.
• Strong understanding of copper mineralogy and processing methods.
• Knowledge of metallurgical sampling and test work design.

Responsibilities

• Optimize metallurgical performance of copper processing circuits.
• Track key process indicators and recommend adjustments.
• Conduct daily plant surveys to evaluate circuit efficiency.
• Lead metallurgical improvement projects focusing on recovery.

Skills

Copper processing methods

Metallurgical sampling

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Mineral Processing

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Metallurgical software

Plant data systems

Job description

DRA Global is a diversified, global engineering, project delivery, and operations management group with an impressive track record spanning over three decades.

As the Partner of Choice, DRA Global aims to attract, recruit, and retain top talent. Our culture is built on Safety, Integrity, Courage, Innovation, Trust, and People, enabling us to consistently deliver strong outcomes for our clients.

The Metallurgist provides technical expertise to support the safe and efficient operation of the processing plant. Working onsite at the mine, this role focuses on optimizing mineral recovery, improving concentrate quality, monitoring metallurgical performance, and troubleshooting issues in crushing, grinding, flotation, dewatering or tailings circuits. The Metallurgist partners closely with operations, maintenance, and laboratory teams to ensure metallurgical stability and continuous improvement across the facility.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Metallurgist - to join our team in Kingman, AZ.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize metallurgical performance of copper processing circuits, including crushing, grinding, flotation, thickening, filtration, depending on site configuration.
• Track key process indicators (recovery, grade, reagent consumption, throughput) and recommend operational adjustments.
• Conduct daily plant surveys and sampling to evaluate circuit efficiency.
• Coordinate and perform metallurgical test work such as grind studies, flotation test work, leach tests, and reagent optimization.
• Analyze mineralogy and ore variability to support processing decisions.
• Interpret laboratory and plant data to improve flotation kinetics, concentrate quality, and copper recovery.
• Identify operational bottlenecks or deviations in metallurgical performance and provide quick, practical solutions.
• Conduct root cause investigations on issues such as poor flotation performance, off‑spec copper cathodes, high impurity levels, or equipment scaling.
• Collaborate with maintenance to address metallurgically driven equipment issues (e.g., thickener performance, pump scaling).
• Lead metallurgical improvement projects focusing on recovery, concentrate grade, reagent optimization, water balance, and energy usage.
• Support commissioning of new equipment, process changes, or plant upgrades.
• Evaluate new technologies, reagents, or equipment relevant to copper extraction.
• Ensure all metallurgical activities are conducted in compliance with environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote safe sampling, lab practices, and plant interactions.
• Provide input on environmental monitoring such as tailings quality, water chemistry, and emissions (if smelter-based).
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly metallurgical reports, including recovery trends, mass balance, and improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate metallurgical models and production forecasts.
• Communicate plant performance updates to operations and management.

Education, Experience, and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering, Mineral Processing, or Chemical Engineering
• 2+ years’ experience as a junior metallurgist
• Strong understanding of copper mineralogy and processing methods (sulfide flotation or oxide leaching).
• Knowledge of metallurgical sampling, test work design, mass balancing, and process modeling.
• Experience with plant data systems and metallurgical software
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and ability to work safely in an active mine processing environment.
• Effective communicator who can collaborate with operators, engineers, and leadership.
• Full-time onsite role in a mining and mineral processing environment.
• Regular exposure to processing facilities, flotation cells, thickener areas, and tailings systems.
• Requires use of PPE and participation in mine safety programs.
• May require shiftwork, rotation schedules, or call‑out support depending on site operations.