Principal Metallurgist – Base Metals Processing Leader

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive travel & relocation support

Bonuses & share options

Medical aid and pension

Job summary

Placements24 in Rustenburg, North West is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead processing operations and optimize metallurgical performance for base metal extraction. You will drive R&D, feasibility studies and cost-effective recovery of valuable minerals, while mentoring a technical team.

The role requires a Master’s or PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering, 10+ years of base metal experience, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years in base metal metallurgy with proven optimization experience.
• Extensive mineral processing knowledge: flotation, leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning.
• Experience leading metallurgical projects and research.
• Proficient in metallurgical simulation software and advanced data analysis tools.
• Strong base metal chemistry and thermodynamics understanding.
• Excellent leadership, project management and communication skills.
• Experience mentoring technical teams; willing to reside or commute to Rustenburg.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize metallurgical processes for base metal extraction.
• Lead R&D initiatives to develop new metallurgical technologies.
• Conduct test work and pilot studies to assess viability.
• Troubleshoot issues to improve recovery, grade and throughput.
• Develop metallurgical accounting systems for production tracking.
• Prepare reports, feasibility studies and economic evaluations.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and management to meet targets.
• Mentor metallurgists and technicians for continuous improvement.

Skills

Metallurgy

Process optimization

Data analysis

R&D leadership

Simulation software

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Metallurgical simulation software

Job description

Placements24 in Rustenburg, North West is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead processing operations and optimize metallurgical performance for base metal extraction. You will drive R&D, feasibility studies and cost-effective recovery of valuable minerals, while mentoring a technical team.

The role requires a Master’s or PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering, 10+ years of base metal experience, and strong leadership.