Laboratory Technician C3

Anglo American / De Beers Group; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 280 000 - 360 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mining company is seeking a qualified Laboratory Technician in Rustenburg, South Africa. The role involves operating laboratory instrumentation, performing quality control checks, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Applicants should have a Grade 12 with Pure Mathematics and Physical Science and at least one year of relevant experience. The position emphasizes a commitment to sustainable practices and safety. The company offers opportunities for learning and professional growth within a diverse environment.

Benefits

Market-aligned rewards

Opportunities for development

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Must have at least 1 year experience as a Laboratory Technician and completed relevant skills programs.
• Competency in preparation of samples and instrumental analysis.

Responsibilities

• Ensure correct operation of laboratory instrumentation to produce quality results.
• Perform QA/QC checks and investigations as needed.
• Support Engineering and Chemistry teams in maintaining lab equipment.

Skills

Safety principles

Quality control

Operational processes

Laboratory information management

Risk management

Education

Grade 12 with Pure Mathematics and Physical Science

Laboratory Technician skills programmes

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

LIMS software

Job description

Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, is a leading primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), with integrated mining, smelting, and refining operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, marketing the metal we produce globally. Following our demerger from Anglo American plc, Valterra Platinum is now an independent, publicly listed company with a primary and secondary listing on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges respectively.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, Valterra Platinum is positioned to define and pursue its own strategy, anchored in operational excellence, sustainability, and value creation for the long-term. With full accountability for our performance and growth, we are focused on strengthening our capabilities across the entire PGM value chain, from mine to market.

Our independence empowers us to deepen our commitment to stakeholders and lead with purpose – to Unearth Value to Better Our World. We remain steadfast in our ambition to be the world’s foremost producer of platinum group metals, while embedding safety and sustainability in everything we do.

If you're driven by purpose and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we invite you to join us. Apply today and be part of something bigger.

NB: First preference will be afforded to internal BMR applicants, in line with internal mobility, who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Job Description

The role is responsible for the correct operation of instrumentation, both manual and automated, in the laboratory to produce quality results timeously. The role also entails performing QA / QC checks and investigation thereof if necessary and the effective operation of the control room and the relevant functions during a shift where required. A combination of these tasks could be assigned to individuals as required by laboratory operations. This could typically include a rotational roster of tasks and shift assignments where applicable.

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Safety & Health

• Consistently apply Safety & Health principles in all team interactions and take personal responsibility for safety of self your own safety and others to ensure zero harm and elimination of fatalities.
• Identify specific risks within working area and adhere to discipline-specific plans/system to avoid these risks.
• Material usage to standard: adherence to standards required for chemicals, glassware, and equipment (e.g., MSDS, handling and use of glassware and equipment)

Performance & Delivery

Work Management

• Effective operation of laboratory instrumentation and equipment (Quality)
• Maintain production efficiency and achievement of targets (Quantity)
• Maintain correct and efficient operation of laboratory instrumentation and equipment
• Monitor instrumentation and trends, react timeously to abnormal activities, QC trends and notify relevant personnel
• Perform the required QC checks and maintain records as necessary as per Laboratory QA/QC policies and procedures
• Preparing QC, Internal standards, and calibration standards
• Participate and assist in troubleshooting to resolve equipment/instrument breakdowns and erroneous outputs
• Support the Engineering and Chemistry teams to maintain instrumentation and equipment
• Ensure compliance to the Laboratory Management system & ISO 17025
• Must be competent in performing the role of the Lab Processor and will do so when instructed
• Manage the utilization of instrumentation and equipment for maximum throughput. Proactively apply preventative measures to ensure optimal availability
• Maintain efficient operation of Laboratory and equipment

Sustainability & Social

• Support delivery of the relevant BU and Group sustainability initiatives and activities
• Input into AAP Business Unit-level cross-functional integration on sustainability
• Contribute to building relationships with key stakeholders relevant to discipline at both Operational and Business Unit level, ensuring engagements are consistent with Business Unit and Group sustainability initiatives and standards

People & Teams

• Act in line and support a purpose-led, high performing culture, applying the company values and principles of inclusion and diversity.
• Actively engage as a team member in all team processes.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance of the discipline with external (legislative, regulatory, permitting) requirements
• Ensure compliance of the discipline with Anglo American compliance requirements
• Adhere to compliance governance within the team

Qualifications

• Grade 12, with Pure Mathematics and Physical Science
• Completed all relevant Laboratory Processor and Laboratory Technician skills programmes/training programmes

Certification

Competence in the following skills programs:

• Preparation of Samples and Instrumental Analysis Skills Program
• ORM A2

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year experience as a Laboratory Technician C2 and completed all relevant skills programs for appointment at C3

Technical Knowledge:

• Knowledge of operational processes within scope of role
• Competent to use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Basic financial metrics, cost and value management & budgeting tools
• Risk management techniques and critical controls
• Leadership tools for implementing a culture of purpose–led high performance andchange
• Safety, health and environment, legislative, statutory, regulatory, and permittingrequirements

Technical skills

• Monitoring of benchmarks and identification of performance gaps
• Delivery of safe operational performance over 1–3-month time horizon
• Establishment of a culture within team in which safety and health is paramount and that results in zero fatalities

Additional Information

Who We Are

We are a Southern African PGM producer, marketing metals globally, with a presence across 8 regions and 17 sites. Our operations include 4 operating mines, 3 smelters, and 2 refineries, giving us full control across the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) value chain—from resource to market.

We explore, we mine, we concentrate, we smelt, we refine, and we market. As a result, we have an in-depth knowledge of PGM production and markets. Using this knowledge, we invest in developing sustainable markets for PGMs, partnering directly with research institutions as well as customers in the industrial, jewellery and investment sectors.

With 3 global marketing hubs and a team of over 29,000 employees, we serve a diverse international customer base while remaining deeply rooted in Southern Africa.

What We Offer

At Valterra Platinum, you will join a team committed to excellence and impact.

We offer:

• Meaningful work in a high-performance, values-led environment.
• Market-aligned reward and recognition.
• Opportunities for learning, development and progression.
• A culture that respects diversity and encourages innovation.
• A clear commitment to safe Operations.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfill their potential.
Valterra Platinum has a zero tolerance to dignity harms, these include all acts of gender-based violence, bullying, harassment and victimisation. Ensuring the safety of our employees extends beyond physical safety and includes the eradication of harmful behaviours from our workplace. This responsibility extends to everyone at Valterra Platinum both during work hours and outside of work. We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form via this job advert.