Metallurgy Lead

Mariana Minerals; Moab (UT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A mineral processing company is seeking a Metallurgist to enhance domestic critical minerals supply. In this role, you will optimize metallurgical processes, design test programs, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Candidates should possess 3–7 years of experience in mineral processing and be familiar with heap leaching and flotation systems. Excellent communication skills to convey technical insights and a proactive mindset are essential. This site-based position fosters hands-on engagement and collaboration across various teams.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of experience in mineral processing, ideally with exposure to both hydrometallurgical and flotation circuits.
• Strong understanding of heap leach dynamics, SX/EW systems, and flotation chemistry.
• Ability to thrive in a field-based, production-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and improve metallurgical performance across heap leach pads and flotation circuits.
• Plan and supervise metallurgical test work, interpreting results for operational changes.
• Conduct routine sampling and maintain metallurgical performance metrics.
• Collaborate with operations and geology teams for integrating metallurgical insights.
• Promote strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

3–7 years of experience in mineral processing

Understanding of heap leach dynamics

Experience with SX/EW systems

Skilled in metallurgical test design

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Excellent communication skills

Proactive and safety-conscious

Tools

METSIM

HSC

Job description

Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Metallurgist to work on building back the domestic critical minerals supply chain.

As a Metallurgist at Mariana, you’ll play a critical role in supporting and optimizing our mineral processing operations across a range of unit processes, including heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW), flotation, crushing, and milling. You’ll work closely with operations, technical services, and project development teams to ensure high metal recoveries, efficient reagent use, and safe, compliant plant operations. This is a site-based role with regular exposure to both fieldwork and metallurgical analysis. Expect a fast-paced, hands‑on environment where your contributions directly influence production and growth.

What You’ll Do

• Optimize Metallurgical Processes – Monitor and improve metallurgical performance across heap leach pads, SX/EW plants, flotation circuits, and comminution areas (crushing/milling). Identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to enhance throughput and recovery.
• Design and Execute Test Program – Plan and supervise metallurgical test work (e.g., column leach tests, flotation tests, grinding studies). Interpret results to support operational changes or project decisions.
• Track and Report Metallurgical Performance – Conduct routine sampling, analysis, and metallurgical accounting. Maintain accurate records of metallurgical balances, recoveries, and plant efficiency metrics. Prepare internal reports and contribute to monthly technical summaries.
• Collaborate Across Teams – Work with operations, maintenance, and geology teams to integrate metallurgical insights into daily decision‑making. Provide input to capital projects, equipment selection, and commissioning activities.
• Champion Safety and Compliance – Promote a strong safety culture and ensure that all metallurgical work aligns with environmental, health, and regulatory standards.

What You'll Bring

• 3–7 years of experience in mineral processing, ideally with exposure to both hydrometallurgical and flotation circuits.
• Strong understanding of heap leach dynamics, SX/EW systems, flotation chemistry, and comminution fundamentals.
• Skilled in metallurgical test design, data analysis, and performance optimization.
• Experience with metallurgical modeling and software tools such as METSIM, HSC, or similar process modeling software package.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations.
• Proactive, safety‑conscious, and results‑driven, with a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a field‑based, production‑focused environment.