Senior Metallurgist - Mineral Processing

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Relocation & housing support

Medical and retirement benefits

Growth & leadership development

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Metallurgist near Pretoria to lead mineral processing operations and optimize plant performance. The role focuses on metallurgical testing, process design, and solving operational challenges.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in mineral processing metallurgy, with strong flotation/hydrometallurgy knowledge and leadership experience. This position offers competitive compensation and a path to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in mineral processing metallurgy, with flotation and hydrometallurgy expertise.
• Proficiency in metallurgical simulation software (METSIM, HSC Chemistry).
• Strong leadership and project management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, and refining processes to optimize recovery and costs.
• Lead metallurgical test work, evaluate ore characteristics, and guide flow-sheet development.
• Develop process control strategies and monitor plant performance using statistical analysis.
• Troubleshoot processing issues and implement corrective actions in the plant.
• Manage reagents, data reporting, and mass balances with detailed metallurgical reports.

Skills

Metallurgy leadership

Project management

Process optimization

Statistical analysis

Flotation & hydrometallurgy knowledge

Education

Master's or PhD in Metallurgy/related field

Tools

METSIM

HSC Chemistry

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking an experienced Senior Metallurgist to lead their mineral processing operations near Pretoria. This role is essential for optimizing plant performance, improving recovery rates, and ensuring the efficient processing of valuable minerals. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the metallurgical testing, process design, and operational troubleshooting. This is a key leadership position offering the chance to implement innovative metallurgical solutions and drive operational excellence within a major mining group.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize crushing, grinding, flotation, leaching, and refining processes.
• Conduct metallurgical test work to evaluate ore characteristics and improve process efficiency.
• Develop and implement process control strategies to maximize metal recovery and minimize operating costs.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and implement corrective actions in the processing plant.
• Manage reagent consumption and chemical inventory for optimal performance.
• Prepare detailed metallurgical reports, including process flow sheets and mass balances.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in mineral processing metallurgy, with a strong understanding of flotation and hydrometallurgy.
• Proficiency in metallurgical simulation software (e.g., METSIM, HSC Chemistry).
• Experience in process optimization and statistical analysis of plant data.
• Knowledge of various commodities, including precious metals and base metals.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Relocation assistance and housing support.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.