Senior Metallurgist - Mineral Processing

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Exposure to diverse ore bodies

Job summary

Placements24 client seeks a Senior Metallurgist to lead the Richards Bay mineral processing operations, optimizing ore recovery and processing efficiency. The role focuses on overseeing crushing, grinding, flotation, and leaching circuits, with a strong emphasis on error-free reporting and team mentorship.

You will drive metallurgical test work, implement innovative strategies, and manage metallurgical accounting to track material flows and yields across the plant.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in mineral processing metallurgy within the mining sector.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of various metallurgical unit operations.
• Experience with metallurgical simulation software (e.g., Metso Outotec, JKSimMet) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate complex technical information.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize all aspects of the mineral processing plant, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and leaching circuits.
• Conduct metallurgical test work to evaluate ore characteristics and develop appropriate processing strategies.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions to improve recovery and grade.
• Develop and manage metallurgical accounting systems to ensure accurate tracking of material flows and yields.
• Stay abreast of new metallurgical technologies and recommend innovations to enhance plant performance.
• Mentor junior metallurgists and technicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence.

Skills

Mineral processing metallurgy

Unit operations knowledge

Metallurgical accounting

Education

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Metso Outotec

JKSimMet

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Metallurgist to lead their mineral processing operations in Richards Bay. This role is essential for optimizing the recovery of valuable minerals from ore, ensuring efficient and sustainable processing techniques are employed. You will be responsible for managing the metallurgical aspects of the plant, conducting research and development, and troubleshooting complex processing challenges. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of comminution, flotation, leaching, and other relevant metallurgical processes, contributing expertise to a critical stage of the mining value chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize all aspects of the mineral processing plant, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and leaching circuits.
• Conduct metallurgical test work to evaluate ore characteristics and develop appropriate processing strategies.
• Troubleshoot operational issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions to improve recovery and grade.
• Develop and manage metallurgical accounting systems to ensure accurate tracking of material flows and yields.
• Stay abreast of new metallurgical technologies and recommend innovations to enhance plant performance.
• Mentor junior metallurgists and technicians, fostering a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in mineral processing metallurgy within the mining sector.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of various metallurgical unit operations.
• Experience with metallurgical simulation software (e.g., Metso Outotec, JKSimMet) is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate complex technical information.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Relocation assistance available if needed.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• Exposure to diverse ore bodies and processing challenges.