Principal Metallurgist: R&D Leader in Gold & PGMs (Hybrid)

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Performance incentives

Job summary

Placements24 in North West, Klerksdorp, is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead advanced metallurgical development and optimize processes for gold, PGMs, and base metals. You will mentor teams, drive innovation, and collaborate with operations, engineering, and R&D in a cutting-edge facility.

The role focuses on improving recovery, product quality, and cost efficiency, balancing laboratory work with site analysis in a hybrid setup, and shaping metallurgical strategies across multiple mineral

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in metallurgical processing within the mining industry, with significant R&D or advanced process development experience.
• Proven expertise in the metallurgy of gold, platinum group metals, or base metals.
• Extensive knowledge of comminution, flotation, solid-liquid separation, and hydrometallurgical/pyrometallurgical processes.
• Proficiency with metallurgical simulation software and data analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of mineralogy and its impact on metallurgical performance.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in technical writing and presentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing laboratory work in Klerksdorp, North West with analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead metallurgical test work programs from bench to pilot scale.
• Develop and optimize metallurgical processes to improve recovery, grade, and throughput.
• Troubleshoot complex metallurgical issues in plant operations.
• Conduct detailed metallurgical accounting and analysis to identify improvements.
• Evaluate and implement new metallurgical technologies and methodologies.
• Provide expert metallurgical advice to plant operations and project teams.
• Mentor and guide junior metallurgists and technicians.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Technical writing

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree / PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Metallurgical simulation software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 in North West, Klerksdorp, is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead advanced metallurgical development and optimize processes for gold, PGMs, and base metals. You will mentor teams, drive innovation, and collaborate with operations, engineering, and R&D in a cutting-edge facility.

The role focuses on improving recovery, product quality, and cost efficiency, balancing laboratory work with site analysis in a hybrid setup, and shaping metallurgical strategies across multiple mineral