Chief Metallurgist

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton is seeking a Chief Metallurgist to lead the metallurgical operations across mineral processing, from development and optimization to quality control and technical leadership.

You will drive innovation, improve efficiencies, and maximize economic recovery of valuable minerals, with a focus on gold and PGMs, reporting to executive management.

The role demands deep metallurgical expertise, strong leadership, and a track record in large-scale mining projects.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the metallurgical department, including process design, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance mineral recovery rates and reduce operational costs.
• Oversee metallurgical test work, pilot plant operations, and scale-up of new processes.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements in all metallurgical processes.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to site-based metallurgists and engineers.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in mineral processing and metallurgy.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Process design

Optimization

Data analysis

Site technical guidance

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Chief Metallurgist to lead their metallurgical operations in the prestigious Sandton area. This senior role will oversee all aspects of mineral processing, from process development and optimization to quality control and technical leadership. You will be responsible for driving innovation, improving efficiencies, and ensuring the maximum economic recovery of valuable minerals. This position requires exceptional technical expertise, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of metallurgical principles applied in large-scale mining operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the metallurgical department, including process design, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance mineral recovery rates and reduce operational costs.
• Oversee metallurgical test work, pilot plant operations, and scale-up of new processes.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements in all metallurgical processes.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to site-based metallurgists and engineers.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and best practices in mineral processing and metallurgy.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in mineral processing and metallurgy, with significant leadership responsibilities.
• Proven track record in optimizing complex metallurgical circuits, preferably in gold and platinum group metals.
• Expertise in process simulation, data analysis, and advanced metallurgical techniques.
• Strong understanding of mine-to-market value chains.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.

Benefits

• Executive-level compensation package including bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and other premium benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional impact and career advancement.
• Leadership role in a key area of mining operations.
• Contribution to industry best practices and innovation.