Staff Metallurgist: Leach Pad & Geophysics Specialist

Certerra; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Certerra is seeking a Staff Metallurgist to apply hydrometallurgical expertise to heap leach pad characterization and design of solution injection programs. The role bridges process metallurgy with geophysical imaging, testing ideas with electrical resistivity, induced polarization, and EM methods.

Up to fifty percent field work is anticipated; training in geophysics will be provided. Open to applicants with compensation commensurate with experience and technical depth; permanent salaried

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• M.Sc. in a metallurgy- or mining-related field counts as two years of experience; a Ph.D. counts as four years of experience.
• 2+ years of experience on copper or gold heap leach, dump leach, or in-situ leach projects; familiarity with leach pad performance and solution management.

Responsibilities

• Interprets solution chemistry (PLS, ILS, raffinate) and operational records to assess leach pad performance and residual recovery potential.
• Develops conceptual models of leach maturity, short-circuiting, and residual metal distribution to guide geophysical survey design.
• Supports design and implementation of low-pressure solution injection well fields on active heap leach pads.
• Reviews column leach tests, bottle roll tests, and metallurgical balance data to support residual recovery assessments.
• Collaborates with geophysicists to correlate resistivity, IP, and EM response with solution content and ore mineralogy.
• Co-authors technical reports and proposals; assists with bid preparation and scope development.

Skills

Excel

Spanish language

Microsoft Word

Education

B.S. in Mining/Metallurgical/Chemical Engineering

Job description

Certerra is seeking a Staff Metallurgist to apply hydrometallurgical expertise to heap leach pad characterization and design of solution injection programs. The role bridges process metallurgy with geophysical imaging, testing ideas with electrical resistivity, induced polarization, and EM methods.

Up to fifty percent field work is anticipated; training in geophysics will be provided. Open to applicants with compensation commensurate with experience and technical depth; permanent salaried