Lead Metallurgist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous leave

Remote work flexibility

Access to cutting-edge technology

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Metallurgist to join a remote operations team serving the Rustenburg area. The role focuses on advancing mineral processing and recovery, optimizing metallurgical processes, troubleshooting, and driving new processing technologies from a remote setting.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering with 10+ years in mineral processing, including hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, and strong experience with METSIM and GEMS.

Qualifications

• Requires Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in mineral processing/metallurgy with hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy focus.
• Experience in process optimization, scale-up and troubleshooting in mining environments.
• Proficiency with metallurgical simulation software (METSIM, GEMS).
• Strong analytical and independent-work skills; ability to communicate remotely.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize metallurgical processes to maximize recovery and product quality.
• Troubleshoot process inefficiencies and implement corrective actions to improve performance and reduce costs.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant test work to evaluate new processing techniques and reagents.
• Develop and maintain process simulation models to predict and optimize plant performance.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to plant operations teams remotely.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards in processing operations.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Pyrometallurgy

Process optimisation

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy/Chemical Engineering

Tools

METSIM

GEMS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Metallurgist to join their remote operations team, supporting their activities in the Rustenburg area. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to drive advancements in mineral processing and recovery from a remote setting. You will be responsible for optimizing metallurgical processes, troubleshooting operational challenges, and contributing to the design and implementation of new processing technologies. This role is ideal for a motivated individual who thrives in a remote work environment and possesses a deep understanding of extractive metallurgy and mineral processing, aiming to contribute significantly to operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for our mining projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize metallurgical processes, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and leaching, to maximize mineral recovery and product quality.
• Troubleshoot process inefficiencies and implement corrective actions to improve performance and reduce costs.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant test work to evaluate new processing techniques and reagents.
• Develop and maintain process simulation models to predict and optimize plant performance.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to plant operations teams remotely.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and quality standards in processing operations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in mineral processing and metallurgy, with a strong focus on hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy.
• Demonstrated experience in process optimization, scale‑up, and troubleshooting in a mining environment.
• Proficiency with metallurgical simulation software (e.g., METSIM, GEMS).
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with remote teams and stakeholders.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and retirement plans.
• Generous annual leave and paid time off.
• Opportunity to work fully remotely with flexibility in work hours.
• Access to cutting‑edge technology and professional development resources to enhance your career in metallurgy .