Senior PGM Metallurgist — Optimize Recovery & Tech Leadership

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance incentives

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Metallurgist for our Bloemfontein operations focused on Platinum Group Metals recovery. You will optimize flotation, leaching, smelting, and refining processes, drive trials and pilot studies, and deliver actionable data-driven improvements to boost recovery and efficiency.

The role demands 8+ years in PGM metallurgy, strong analytical skills, and a proactive approach to solving complex process challenges within a safety-conscious mining environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in process metallurgy with PGM focus.
• Strong knowledge of PGM ore characteristics and mineralogy.
• Experience with flotation chemistry and circuit optimization.
• Familiarity with downstream smelting and refining is advantageous.
• Proficient in SPC and metallurgical software.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and control metallurgical processes for PGM recovery.
• Conduct plant trials, lab analyses, and pilot studies to improve performance.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot flotation, leaching, and refining circuits.
• Ensure strict quality control and product specifications.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Stay updated on new PGM processing technologies.
• Mentor junior metallurgists and plant operators.

Skills

Metallurgy expertise

Process optimization

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Flotation chemistry

Quality control

Education

Master's in Metallurgy/Chemical Engineering

PhD in Metallurgy (advantage)

Tools

SPC software

Flotation circuit modelling tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Metallurgist for our Bloemfontein operations focused on Platinum Group Metals recovery. You will optimize flotation, leaching, smelting, and refining processes, drive trials and pilot studies, and deliver actionable data-driven improvements to boost recovery and efficiency.

The role demands 8+ years in PGM metallurgy, strong analytical skills, and a proactive approach to solving complex process challenges within a safety-conscious mining environment.