Metallurgist

Kinross Gold Corporation; Washington; On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k with match

Paid time off

Stock purchase option

Basic life insurance

Short Term Incentive

Job summary

Kinross in Washington State is hiring a Metallurgist to advance heap-leach and process plant operations. You will support day-to-day production, improve recovery, and drive metallurgical test work and plant trials.

Join a team focused on safe, efficient operations, data-driven improvements, and collaboration across engineering, operations, and environmental teams. A bachelor’s in a related field and 3–5 years of mineral processing experience are expected; US work authorization is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field.
• 3–5 years in mineral processing or extractive metallurgy.
• Accurate, precise work with good computer skills and basic modelling knowledge.
• Sound engineering practices and principles used.
• Knowledge of cost calculations and cash flow analysis preferred.
• Strong communication with stakeholders; team collaboration.
• Experience in operating mineral processing plant preferred.
• Experience with tailings, thickening, filtration, water recovery or deposition preferred.
• Experience with metallurgical accounting, mass balancing, sampling, and data analysis.
• Experience conducting plant trials and metallurgical test work.
• Valid driver's license; authorized to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Provide metallurgical and technical support to optimize production, recovery, product quality, and process stability.
• Monitor, analyze, and report plant performance including throughput and water recovery.
• Conduct sampling, mass balances, metallurgical accounting, and data analysis to identify improvements.
• Troubleshoot issues and work with Ops, Maintenance, Eng and others to implement solutions.
• Plan and execute metallurgical test work, plant trials, and optimization studies.
• Support tailings processing including characterization, thickening/dewatering, pumping, and water recovery.
• Maintain metallurgical data, databases, calculations, and prepare reports for management.
• Develop procedures, sampling protocols, operating guidelines, and performance standards.
• Support commissioning, ramp-up, debottlenecking, and plant modifications.
• Collaborate with Tailings, Environmental, Process Eng, Operations and Mine Tech Services.
• Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and HSE programs.
• Provide mentoring to junior metallurgists and technicians.
• Maintain a strong field presence and promote safe, environmentally responsible practices.

Skills

Metallurgical Eng

Data analysis

Process optimization

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or related

Job description

Discover a rewarding career opportunity at Kinross in the stunning rural landscapes of Washington State. Recognized for our leadership in low-impact mine development and nationally acclaimed for our reclamation and closure practices, our team has produced gold from six different deposits in the region since 1990. Currently we are advancing a multi-year pipeline of projects and growing our team to ensure effective delivery and seamless transition into operations.

Job Summary

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

Kinross Leadership Practices

• 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

Kinross Competencies

• Strategic Effectiveness

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

• External engagement

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.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Chief Metallurgist

Language Requirements

English

Compensation Data

Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k with match
• Paid time off
• Stock purchase option
• Basic life insurance
• Short Term Incentive

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).