Senior Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching

Copper World Inc; Casa Grande (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Hudbay Minerals is seeking a Sr. Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching for the Copper World project in Casa Grande, AZ.

You will lead engineering studies, pilot testing programs, and the scale-up of concentrate leaching to produce LME Grade A copper cathode. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering with 7+ years in hydrometallurgy or copper processing; a Master’s degree and a PE license are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical or Chemical Engineering required.
• 7+ years of relevant hydrometallurgy or copper processing experience required.
• Experience leading metallurgical testwork, pilot plants, and facility commissioning/startup preferred.
• Knowledge of hydrometallurgical processing, SX/EW, and solution purification.
• Regulatory knowledge: MSHA/OSHA and environmental requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering studies, process development, and metallurgical testing for concentrate leaching.
• Design and manage pilot plant testing to evaluate leaching technologies and economics.
• Oversee full-scale engineering, construction, commissioning, and ramp-up of leaching facilities.
• Optimize unit operations: receiving, leaching, solid-liquid separation, SX, and EW.
• Develop process controls, mass/energy balances, PFDs, and SOPs.
• Collaborate with safety, environmental, and regulatory teams for compliance.
• Support contractor management and site risk assessments during development.

Skills

Metallurgical Engineering

Hydrometallurgy

Pilot Plant Testing

Process Optimization

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical/Chemical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Professional Engineer (P.E.) license (preferred)

Job description

Senior Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching

Professional Casa Grande, AZ, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1221

Role Title:

Sr. Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching

Reports to:

Job Type:

Full-Time, Regular

Location:

About Hudbay:

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru, and the United States.

Hudbay's operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the Company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbay's growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Cactus project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people, our communities, and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives, and create better futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Mission:

To create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging our core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

Purpose of Role:

The Sr. Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching is responsible for developing, testing, scaling up, and implementing the process to receive trucked copper concentrate product at the Cactus operations for processing and refining through a concentrate leach process to generate LME Grade A Copper Cathode. This position leads metallurgical engineering studies, manages pilot testing programs, and oversees full-scale commercial technology implementation.

All work will be done with the mindset and values of Hudbay Minerals: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. We value dignity and respect, caring, openness and trustworthiness.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead engineering studies, process development, and metallurgical testing for receiving, handling, and leaching trucked copper concentrate.
• Design, manage, and execute pilot plant testing programs to evaluate concentrate leaching technologies, flowsheet options, and process economics.
• Oversee full-scale engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational ramp-up of the concentrate leaching and refining facility to generate LME Grade A Copper Cathode.
• Optimize unit operations including concentrate receiving/slurry preparation, leaching, solid-liquid separation, solvent extraction (SX), and electrowinning (EW).
• Establish process control parameters, mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and operational specifications in coordination with engineering consultants and vendors.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality control protocols, and metallurgical accounting frameworks.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), metallurgical recoveries, reagent consumption, and operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with safety, environmental, and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with chemical handling, emissions, and waste management standards.
• Support operational readiness, contractor management, and site risk assessments during project development and construction phases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 7+ years of relevant metallurgical engineering experience in hydrometallurgy, base metal processing, or copper concentrate treatment.
• Demonstrated experience leading metallurgical testwork, engineering studies, pilot plant operations, and commercial facility commissioning/startup.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hydrometallurgical processing, concentrate leaching, solvent extraction (SX), electrowinning (EW), and solution purification.
• Strong expertise in pilot plant design, scale-up methodologies, process modeling, and metallurgical accounting.
• Applied knowledge of MSHA, OSHA, and state/federal environmental regulations relevant to metallurgical processing facilities.
• Technical proficiency in process optimization, root cause analysis, hazard identification, and chemical handling safety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or equivalent professional registration.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Other Requirements:

Physical– The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.

Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist.

Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver's license.

Why Hudbay?

• At Hudbay, our values of Dignity & Respect, Caring, Openness, and Trustworthiness are embedded into our culture by the way we work and how we interact with one another.
• We pride ourselves in providing our employees with competitive total rewards that include:
  • Annual performance bonuses
  • Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
  • Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability
  • 401(k) plan with employer contribution
  • An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay
• Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.

Hudbay is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Following a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check. Depending on the specific requirements of the role, candidates may also need to undergo a physical examination, drug screening, and educational verification.