Senior Chemical Engineer - Hydrometallurgy & Extraction

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, seeks a Senior Chemical Engineer to lead hydrometallurgical projects, optimize leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning, and drive safe, efficient plant performance.

You will mentor technicians, run pilots, perform mass and energy balances, and collaborate with metallurgists and geologists to deliver robust designs and cost-effective improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering.
• 7+ years of hydrometallurgy or extractive metallurgy experience.
• Proven mineral processing and metal recovery knowledge.
• Strong kinetics, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics understanding.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize hydrometallurgical processes (leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, electrowinning).
• Conduct pilot plant trials and scale-up studies for design validation.
• Perform mass and energy balances, equipment design, and process simulation.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Process design

Mass balance

Thermodynamics

Process simulation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical/Metallurgical Eng

Tools

HSC Chemistry

Outotec HSC

METSIM

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent force in the mining and metals sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Chemical Engineer to contribute to their advanced hydrometallurgical operations in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This role is central to the development, optimization, and troubleshooting of extraction and refining processes for valuable minerals. You will apply your expertise in chemical engineering principles to enhance process efficiency, improve recovery rates, and ensure environmentally sound operations. The position demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to lead technical initiatives within a challenging and rewarding industrial setting. Join Our client and play a key role in shaping the future of resource extraction in Kimberley, Northern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange, and electrowinning.
• Conduct pilot plant trials and scale-up studies to validate and refine process designs.
• Perform mass balance and energy balance calculations, equipment design, and process simulation.
• Analyze process data to identify opportunities for improvement in yield, purity, and operational efficiency.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and provide technical solutions to maintain plant performance.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards.
• Collaborate with metallurgists, geologists, and other engineers to achieve project objectives.
• Prepare technical reports, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies for process enhancement and cost reduction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in hydrometallurgy, extractive metallurgy, or chemical process design.
• Proven experience with mineral processing and metal recovery techniques.
• Strong understanding of chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics relevant to hydrometallurgy.
• Proficiency in process simulation software (e.g., HSC Chemistry, Outotec HSC, METSIM).
• Experience with laboratory analysis and pilot plant operations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, with the capacity to lead technical discussions.
• Familiarity with safety protocols in mining and chemical processing environments.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance bonuses and comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits. Employees are provided with opportunities for professional development, including specialized training courses and conference attendance. This role is based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, offering a dynamic work environment and the chance to contribute to significant projects within the mining and metals industry for Our client.