Remote Principal Metallurgist - Lead Mineral Processing

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 2,500,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Bonus potential and long-term Incentiv

Professional development & travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead the mineral processing division. This remote role requires travel to Centurion, Gauteng, and offers strategic influence on process design, innovation, and cost optimization.

You will mentor a team of metallurgists and work with geologists, engineers, and operations to deliver scalable, efficient solutions. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in mineral processing, strong leadership, and a track record in advanced metallurgical techniques,

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.
• Experience with comminution, flotation, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy.
• Experience with techno-economic assessments and business case development.
• Published work or conference presentations are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up metallurgical processes for mineral recovery and cost reduction.
• Lead metallurgical test work programs from bench to pilot scale.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and implement effective solutions.
• Design and specify metallurgical equipment and flowsheets for projects.
• Conduct techno-economic evaluations of new technologies.
• Manage metallurgical data and reporting of plant performance.
• Collaborate with geologists, engineers, and operations teams.
• Stay updated on global trends in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.
• Mentor and develop junior metallurgists and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

MSc/PhD in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Tools

METSIM

HSC Chemistry

GEMS

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Metallurgist to lead the mineral processing division. This remote role requires travel to Centurion, Gauteng, and offers strategic influence on process design, innovation, and cost optimization.

You will mentor a team of metallurgists and work with geologists, engineers, and operations to deliver scalable, efficient solutions. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in mineral processing, strong leadership, and a track record in advanced metallurgical techniques,