Senior Metallurgist

Brooks & Nelson, LLC; California (MO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooks & Nelson, LLC is seeking a Senior Metallurgist to provide advanced technical leadership in heap leaching and gold recovery circuits, focusing on Merrill-Crowe processing. You will develop and maintain metallurgical models to support production targets and safety standards.

The role reports to the Processing Manager and involves supervising assay lab operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with geology and operations teams to optimize blending strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy or Metallurgical Engineering is required.
• Advanced degree preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 5-10 years of experience in heap leaching and gold recovery circuits, Merrill-Crowe systems.

Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain safety and environmental standards.
• Develop and maintain geometallurgical model integrating data from geology and operations.
• Execute testwork programs to evaluate leach pad performance against model predictions.
• Update metallurgical models based on testwork and data.
• Collaborate with geology and operations to enhance the geometallurgical model.
• Characterize material properties and develop blending strategies.
• Supervise daily operations of laboratory, leach pad, Merrill-Crowe plant, and refinery.
• Prepare technical reports with recommendations and conclusions.
• Ensure permits, approvals, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide safety training and participate in meetings to achieve zero incidents.
• Support crushing plant operations.
• Stay current on technical advancements and implement new procedures.
• Assist in production target setting and budgeting.
• Contribute to monthly management reporting.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy or Metallurgical Engineering

Master's degree in Metallurgy (preferred)

Tools

Metallurgical analysis tools

Laboratory equipment

Fire assay equipment

Job description

Brooks & Nelson's client is seeking a Senior Metallurgist.

THE OPPORTUNITY As the Senior Metallurgist, you will provide advanced technical leadership in heap leaching and gold recovery circuits, with a focus on Merrill-Crowe processing. This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving metallurgical and geometallurgical models that directly support operational performance and production targets. This is a safety-sensitive position. As the Senior Metallurgist, you report to the Processing Manager and play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant metallurgical operations across the site.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement and maintain company safety and environmental standards.
• Develop, maintain, and improve the site's geometallurgical model, integrating metallurgical, geological, and operational data.
• Execute testwork programs and protocols to evaluate leach pad performance against model predictions.
• Recommend updates to metallurgical models based on testwork results and operational data.
• Collaborate with geology and operations teams to maintain and enhance the geometallurgical model.
• Work closely with ore control and site geology teams to characterize material properties and develop blending strategies.
• Supervise daily operations of the assay laboratory, leach pad, Merrill-Crowe plant, and refinery.
• Prepare technical reports interpreting laboratory data, including recommendations and conclusions.
• Ensure compliance with permits, approvals, and regulatory requirements across laboratory, processing, and hazardous substances management.
• Support safe operations through regular safety training and meetings to achieve zero incidents.
• Provide technical support to crushing plant operations.
• Stay current on technical advancements and implement new procedures where applicable.
• Assist in production target setting and process department budgeting.
• Contribute to monthly management reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy or Metallurgical Engineering (required).
• Advanced degree preferred; equivalent experience with demonstrated technical leadership may be considered.
• 5-10 years of experience in heap leaching and gold recovery circuits, particularly Merrill-Crowe systems.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with metallurgical analysis tools.
• Experience in operating and maintaining a fire and solution assay laboratory, including a variety of laboratory equipment.
• Strong understanding of metallurgical procedures and quality control practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong interpersonal and problem-solving abilities.
• High professional standards, strong technical judgment, and disciplined work ethic.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The salary range for this position is $170-$190 USD.