Senior Metallurgist - Mineral Processing

Placements24; Willows (CA); Presencial; USD 54.000 - 78.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Medical aid

Pension fund

Performance bonuses

Career progression

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 in Welkom, Free State, is seeking a Senior Metallurgist to optimize mineral processing, drive plant performance, and reduce costs. You will lead technical investigations, mentor staff, and collaborate with management to implement improvements across grinding, flotation, leaching, and refining circuits.

The role requires expertise in base/precious metals, mineralogy understanding, and experience with process simulation and metallurgical accounting.

Formación

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mineral processing, with a strong focus on metallurgical operations in the mining sector.
• Proven expertise in base metals or precious metals processing, including specific experience with flotation, CIL/CIP, or smelting operations.
• Strong understanding of mineralogy, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy.
• Proficiency in metallurgical accounting, process simulation software, and statistical analysis tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng, SAIMM) is an advantage.

Responsabilidades

• Oversee and optimize metallurgical processes, including crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, and refining, to maximize mineral recovery and grade.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant test work to evaluate new processing technologies and optimize existing circuit parameters.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure consistent plant performance and product quality.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, diagnose performance issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot complex metallurgical problems and provide expert technical support to plant operations.
• Collaborate with geologists and engineers to understand ore characteristics and their impact on processing.
• Develop and manage metallurgical budgets and capital expenditure proposals for plant upgrades and improvements.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations related to metallurgical operations.
• Mentor and train junior metallurgists and plant operators on best practices in mineral processing.
• Prepare detailed metallurgical reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior management.

Conocimientos

Metallurgy

Flotation

Leaching

Process control

Data analysis

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's or Master's in Metallurgy/Chemical Engineering

Herramientas

Process simulation software

Statistical analysis tools

Descripción del empleo

About the Role Our client, a significant force in the mining industry, is actively seeking to appoint a highly skilled Senior Metallurgist to their team in Welkom, Free State. This role is central to optimizing the mineral processing operations, ensuring efficient extraction and recovery of valuable minerals from ore. The successful candidate will leverage their extensive knowledge of comminution, flotation, leaching, and other metallurgical processes to improve plant performance, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a major operation and drive innovation in mineral processing. You will be a key technical advisor, working closely with plant management and operations personnel to troubleshoot issues and implement process improvements. The position demands a strategic mindset combined with hands‑on expertise in a complex processing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize metallurgical processes, including crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, and refining, to maximize mineral recovery and grade.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant test work to evaluate new processing technologies and optimize existing circuit parameters.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to ensure consistent plant performance and product quality.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, diagnose performance issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot complex metallurgical problems and provide expert technical support to plant operations.
• Collaborate with geologists and engineers to understand ore characteristics and their impact on processing.
• Develop and manage metallurgical budgets and capital expenditure proposals for plant upgrades and improvements.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations related to metallurgical operations.
• Mentor and train junior metallurgists and plant operators on best practices in mineral processing.
• Prepare detailed metallurgical reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field from a recognized university.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mineral processing, with a strong focus on metallurgical operations in the mining sector.
• Proven expertise in base metals or precious metals processing, including specific experience with flotation, CIL/CIP, or smelting operations.
• Strong understanding of mineralogy, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy.
• Proficiency in metallurgical accounting, process simulation software, and statistical analysis tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional registration (e.g., Pr.Eng, SAIMM) is an advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive salary package, a comprehensive benefits program including medical aid, pension fund, and performance bonuses.
• This role provides excellent opportunities for career progression, professional development, and the chance to work on technically challenging projects.
• The company values innovation, safety, and sustainability.
• Work‑life balance is encouraged within a supportive team environment.