Metallurgist

Valterra Platinum Limited; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-aligned rewards

Learning and progression

Diversity and inclusion

Commitment to safe operations

Job summary

Valterra Platinum Limited in Waterval Smelter, South Africa, seeks a Section Manager Production Processing at GBF 6 level to lead safety, production planning and continuous improvement in the PGM value chain. You will partner with technical teams to maximise throughput while upholding strict safety standards.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering, 3 years of relevant experience, and a proven ability to drive performance, compliance and value creation across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Metallurgy, Chemical engineering, Chemistry, or related science
• NQF level 8
• Completed AAP’s Advanced Metallurgical Developmental Program or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Create and enforce safety culture and zero-harm objectives within the section.
• Support Section Manager Production Processing to maximise production while maintaining safety and quality.
• Assist technical workload, review outputs, and identify trends impacting efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives through the Business Improvement structure.
• Support the Technical team to ensure integrity, sustainability and reliability of the area.

Skills

Value chain management

Business improvement

Process optimization

Project management

Communication skills

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

NQF level 8

AAP’s Advanced Metallurgical Developmental Program or equivalent

Job description

• Business Entity: Africa - Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)(BU005)

Company 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.

Number of positions: 1

Location of position: Waterval Smelter

Job Description

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Safety:

Create a safety culture through productive and authorized operational systems/processes that allow all employees (including contracting partners) to provide their outputs in a risk-controlled environment. Oversee consistent application of Safety & Health principles in all discipline interactions and take personal responsibility for safety of self and others to ensure zero harm and elimination of fatalities.

Performance and Delivery:

Operational Planning:

• Supports the Section Manager Production Processing in maximising production by supporting the technical control of the operation providing health and safety is not compromised.
• Provide people support within the section by assisting production staff by supporting technical workload, assigned tasks and reviewing/recognising outputs of team members.
• For area within the section discern and identify trends and leading indicators of technical problems which may lead to a reduction in operating efficiency or put at risk the integrity of the overall operation.
• Support the sections Business Improvement structure through dedicated Analyse and Improve initiatives, embedding a culture of learning and continuous improvement for benchmark performance.
• Support the Technical team to ensure overall integrity, sustainability and reliability of the area in the section as required.

People & Teams:

• Implement a purpose-driven, high-performing culture that is aligned with the company values, is inclusive and promotes diversity, supports engagement and fosters continuous improvement to work processes.

Compliance

• Support required compliance governance in the context of discipline on a sectional level, through the implementation and management of assurance systems, feedback management routines and discipline specific trigger action response plans for areas as defined by technical superiors.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements.

This role is at GBF 6 level reporting to the Section Manager Production Processing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Metallurgy, Chemical engineering, Chemistry, or related science
• (NQF level 8)
• Completed AAP’s Advanced Metallurgical Developmental Program or equivalent

Experience

• 3 years’ relevant experience

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Value chain management within discipline, and awareness of interdependencies across value chain steps.
• Business improvement tools and techniques
• Developing skills in solving complex technical investigations and meeting long term business needs.
• Developing skill in process alignment and identifying opportunities to maximise performance levels across the mining value chain.
• Developing project management skills – drives the sharing of project and resource management best practice to continuously improve project capabilities and resource management.
• Developing skill in Process and Chemistry know-how – acts as a thought leader for technical analysis applied to the relevant section’s flow sheets required for supporting the operation.
• Proficient communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

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 behaviors 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.

Closing Date

23 November 2026