Remote Principal Metallurgist - Mineral Processing

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 1,976,000 - 2,964,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Home office stipend

Annual bonus

Health, dental, vision insurance

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Metallurgist for remote oversight of mineral processing across mine sites worldwide. You will develop advanced metallurgical strategies to maximize recovery and efficiency while upholding safety and environmental standards.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years of mineral processing experience, expertise in comminution, flotation, leaching, and data-driven optimization, and strong remote collaboration skills to guide on-site teams virtually.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in mineral processing, with emphasis on base metals, precious metals, or bulk commodities.
• Experience optimizing comminution, flotation, gravity separation, and hydrometallurgical processes.

Responsibilities

• Remotely direct and optimize mineral processing plants (crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching).
• Develop and implement metallurgical testing programs to improve recovery and product quality.
• Analyze process data to identify bottlenecks and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide expert remote guidance to site metallurgists and operations teams.
• Lead R&D initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.
• Prepare detailed metallurgical reports, reviews, and improvement plans.
• Stay updated on metallurgical advancements and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering and procurement on equipment selection and process design.
• Ensure safety and environmental standards compliance across operations.
• Mentor junior staff through remote coaching and training.

Skills

Remote collaboration

Data analysis

Metallurgy expertise

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in Metallurgy

Tools

METSIM

JKSimFloat

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in the mining industry, is actively seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Metallurgist to join their remote operations team. This crucial role is designed for a seasoned professional who will remotely oversee and optimize mineral processing operations across various mine sites. You will be at the forefront of developing and implementing advanced metallurgical strategies, focusing on maximizing recovery, improving efficiency, and ensuring the highest standards of operational excellence. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere while making a significant impact on our client's international projects. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical understanding of comminution, flotation, leaching, and other mineral processing techniques, coupled with exceptional problem-solving abilities and a forward-thinking approach to metallurgical challenges. You will collaborate with on-site teams and R&D departments to drive innovation and sustainability in our processing plants. This role is perfect for an expert seeking autonomy and the chance to influence global mining practices from a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Remotely direct and advise on the operation and optimization of mineral processing plants, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and leaching circuits.
• Develop and implement innovative metallurgical testing programs to enhance mineral recovery and product quality.
• Analyze complex process data to identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot operational issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide expert technical support and guidance to site-based metallurgists and operational teams via remote communication channels.
• Lead research and development initiatives to improve process efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impact.
• Author detailed metallurgical reports, technical reviews, and process improvement plans.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in metallurgical technology and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering and procurement teams on equipment selection and process design for new projects and upgrades.
• Ensure metallurgical processes comply with safety regulations and environmental standards across all operations.
• Mentor and develop junior metallurgical staff through remote coaching and training sessions.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in mineral processing, with a strong emphasis on base metals, precious metals, or bulk commodities.
• Demonstrated expertise in optimizing comminution, flotation, gravity separation, and hydrometallurgical processes.
• Proven ability to analyze large datasets, interpret results, and implement data-driven process improvements.
• Exceptional remote communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and guide teams virtually.
• Experience in managing metallurgical projects and R&D initiatives.
• Familiarity with various simulation software (e.g., METSIM, JKSimFloat) is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of metallurgical accounting and quality control procedures.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a creative approach to overcoming complex challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remote salary package commensurate with extensive experience.
• Annual performance bonus based on operational efficiency and recovery targets.
• Full health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with generous employer matching.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate global operations.
• Significant opportunities for career growth and professional development in a global organization.
• Access to cutting-edge metallurgical research and technologies.
• Home office stipend to ensure a productive remote working environment.
• The freedom and autonomy to shape metallurgical strategies from anywhere.