Senior Process Engineer - Mining & Minerals

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical aid

Provident fund

Performance-based bonuses

Opportunities for professional develop

Career progression within group

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Process Engineer near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, to optimize mineral processing plants and improve recovery and cost efficiency. You will design, troubleshoot, and implement improvements across comminution, flotation, and hydrometallurgy circuits, while mentoring junior staff.

The role involves process simulations, mass/energy balance calculations, and the development of comprehensive documentation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in mineral processing engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design, development, and optimization initiatives for mineral processing plants.
• Conduct detailed process simulations and mass/energy balance calculations.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and identify root causes of inefficiencies.
• Implement process improvements to enhance recovery rates, product quality, and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain process documentation including P&IDs and SOPs.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new technologies or plant modifications.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and scale-up studies.
• Collaborate with metallurgists, geologists, and plant operations personnel.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers and technicians.]

Skills

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Mass/energy balance

Project leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering

Tools

METSIM

HSC Chemistry

JKSimFloat

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the mining and minerals sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Process Engineer to join their operations near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This role is crucial for optimizing mineral processing plants, ensuring efficient extraction and recovery of valuable commodities. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in comminution, flotation, hydrometallurgy, or other relevant mineral processing circuits. You will be responsible for process design, troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and implementing improvements to enhance yield and reduce operating costs. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional to contribute to significant mining operations in the Mpumalanga region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead process design, development, and optimization initiatives for mineral processing plants.


• Conduct detailed process simulations and mass/energy balance calculations.


• Troubleshoot operational issues and identify root causes of inefficiencies.


• Implement process improvements to enhance recovery rates, product quality, and operational efficiency.


• Develop and maintain process documentation, including P&IDs, operating manuals, and standard operating procedures.


• Conduct feasibility studies and economic evaluations for new process technologies or plant modifications.


• Oversee pilot plant operations and scale-up studies.


• Collaborate with metallurgists, geologists, and plant operations personnel.


• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations within the processing plant.


• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior process engineers and technicians.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.


• Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) registration with ECSA is highly desirable.


• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mineral processing engineering.


• In-depth knowledge of specific mineral processing circuits (e.g., base metals, precious metals, coal).


• Proficiency with process simulation software (e.g., METSIM, HSC Chemistry, JKSimFloat).


• Strong understanding of fundamental chemical and physical principles applied in mineral processing.


• Proven experience in process optimization, troubleshooting, and debottlenecking.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings effectively.


• Ability to work effectively in a plant environment and collaborate with operational teams.


• Experience in the mining sector in Mpumalanga is a significant advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, commensurate with the seniority and expertise required.

• Comprehensive medical aid


• a provident fund


• performance-based bonuses


• Opportunities for further professional development

This role is based in the operational area near Nelspruit, providing direct exposure to active mining and processing activities.

Our client is committed to fostering a culture of technical excellence and offers significant career progression within its group.

You will be contributing to vital resource extraction processes in the Mpumalanga region.