Durban-based Senior Metallurgist: Lead Process Innovation

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Principal Metallurgist for its Durban operations. The role focuses on driving process innovation, optimizing circuits, and solving complex operational challenges across mineral processing facilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical foundation and extensive hands‑on mineral processing experience, emphasizing base metals or precious metals. This senior position prioritizes safety, efficiency, and cost reduction while maintaining

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Metallurgy/Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in metallurgical process development and optimization.
• Experience in mineral processing techniques including crushing, grinding, flotation, and hydrometallurgy.
• Proficiency in metallurgical simulation software (METSIM, JKSimFloat, HSC Chemistry).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of new metallurgical processes and technologies.
• Analyze process data to optimize crushing, grinding, flotation, and hydrometallurgy.
• Conduct pilot plant studies and bench‑scale tests to validate improvements.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, diagnose root causes, and implement solutions.
• Develop process simulation models for optimization and scenario analysis.
• Provide expert metallurgical guidance and technical support to site operations teams.
• Mentor and develop junior metallurgists and process engineers.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, feasibility studies, and operational manuals.
• Ensure metallurgical operations comply with safety, health, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with R&D departments to explore novel processing techniques.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data-driven

Leadership

Education

MSc/PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Tools

METSIM

JKSimFloat

HSC Chemistry

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Principal Metallurgist for its Durban operations. The role focuses on driving process innovation, optimizing circuits, and solving complex operational challenges across mineral processing facilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical foundation and extensive hands‑on mineral processing experience, emphasizing base metals or precious metals. This senior position prioritizes safety, efficiency, and cost reduction while maintaining