Remote Principal Metallurgist: Processing & Innovation Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus potential

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Travel opportunities

Remote with travel

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Metallurgist to lead our mineral processing division. The role is based remotely with periodic travel to Centurion, Gauteng, and requires a track record in advancing comminution, flotation, leaching, and refining.

You will oversee test programs from bench to pilot, design flowsheets, perform techno-economic assessments, mentor a team, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while driving cost-effective process improvements.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy with leading complex projects.
• Experience with METSIM, HSC Chemistry or GEMS for process simulation.
• Willingness to travel to Centurion, Gauteng and other sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and scale-up metallurgical processes for mineral recovery, focusing on efficiency and cost reduction.
• Lead metallurgical test work programs, from bench-scale to pilot plant, and interpret results to guide process design.
• Troubleshoot complex operational issues in processing plants, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Design and specify metallurgical equipment and process flowsheets for new projects and plant upgrades.
• Conduct techno-economic evaluations of new technologies and process improvements.
• Manage metallurgical data, maintain process databases, and ensure accurate reporting of plant performance.
• Collaborate with geologists, engineers, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration of metallurgical processes.
• Stay abreast of global trends and emerging technologies in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.
• Mentor and develop junior metallurgists and technical staff, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety, environmental, and regulatory standards in processing operations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Travel willingness

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

METSIM

HSC Chemistry

GEMS

Job description

Placements24 is recruiting a Principal Metallurgist to lead our mineral processing division. The role is based remotely with periodic travel to Centurion, Gauteng, and requires a track record in advancing comminution, flotation, leaching, and refining.

You will oversee test programs from bench to pilot, design flowsheets, perform techno-economic assessments, mentor a team, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance while driving cost-effective process improvements.