Summary
Date Posted: Monday, May 13 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job description:
Purpose of the role
To be accountable for definition, implementation, monitoring & reporting of the Nickel plant process strategy to optimise metallurgical performance with a focus on daily-weekly-monthly optimisation, providing technical reports on plant performance and improvement projects. The role will also encompass the management of daily, weekly and monthly metallurgical accounting/reconciliation processes and to support the preparation of an annual budget and forecast updates.

Job & Candidate Requirements
Specific Job Responsibility
• Define and implement the metallurgical process strategy.
• Consistently deliver and exceed the main KPI’s of throughput, recovery, power and reagent consumption through monitoring and optimisation.
• Consistently deliver and exceed the main KPIs of metallurgical accounting and technical reporting – (i) accuracy and (ii) timeliness.
• Directly participate in the daily & weekly work activities of the processing plant, serving as a technical support to operations personnel to enhance performance.
• Monitor, analyse, control and report process performance indicators (including in-plant sampling & results).
• Maintain comprehensive technical documentation for crushing, grinding, and flotation processes, including equipment specifications, operating procedures, and change records.
• Collaborate with the metallurgical team to conduct detailed process simulations and tests to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct regular metallurgical testing and analysis, including mineralogical studies and particle size distribution assessments.
• Collaborate with the laboratory team to ensure accurate and timely sample analysis and data interpretation.
• Investigate and resolve process issues and deviations promptly to minimize production disruptions.
• Take accountability for the monitoring and optimisation of the Process plant’s performance.
• Work in collaboration with Commercial team to manage the concentrate quality component of the concentrate shed inventory and dispatch management system.
• Work in collaboration with Commercial team on routine accounts and report on processing reagent stocks, ensuring appropriate levels are maintained at all times.
• Maintain health, safety and environmental standards and ensure strict compliance within the nickel plant.
• Coordinate the proper and thorough completion of loss tracking systems to ensure high integrity of production loss and asset performance reporting.
• Develop and execute the site metallurgical accounting procedures, providing accurate and auditable production reconciliations and reporting systems.
• Conduct troubleshooting and detailed data analysis to identify root causes and corrective actions to optimize plant performance.
• Coordinate milling/flotation surveys, plant field trials and metallurgical test-work to evaluate circuit performance and recommend ways of improving performance.
• Document and maintain a database of all plant trials, including parameter changes and plant responses.
• Maintain and routinely communicate a database of critical metallurgical values.
• Ensure strong integration and alignment of technical activities with process operations team.
• Issue to and follow up on daily operating parameters to the shift teams on key process parameters, tasks and considerations.
• Constantly seek out and implement innovative solutions, including testing of new reagents.
• Review plant design, scope and develop justification for capital upgrades.
• Active involvement in the commissioning of new projects.
• Interact with Mining team & Geologists on feed ore characteristics and work closely with the geology and Geo metallurgy functions on ore types of definition, control and feed options.
• Supervise and control the activities, standards of performance of subordinate staff.
• Ensure cost management is part of on-going decision making.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Senior Superintendent.

Job Specific Competencies
• In-depth knowledge of metallurgical principles, mineral processing, and flotation circuit design.
• Strong understanding of complex metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies.
• Proficiency in process control systems, data analysis tools, and simulation software.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to analyze complex technical issues.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and best practices in metallurgical safety.
• Experience with plant trials, test work, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
• Good cognitive and analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, bottlenecks and implementing metallurgical testing.
• Project management skills to oversee equipment upgrades and process improvement projects.

Key Job Attributes
• Must be thorough and detail oriented
• Must be dependable and self-motivated
• Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact with people of different cultures.
• Must be bold, smart and driven.
• Must be able to work under pressure and multi-task.
• Must be adaptable and a team player.
• Work safely and to regulations – setting an example for all personnel.

Experience required to perform in this job
• 14 years in complex metallurgical operations
• 4 years in a similar role
• Direct experience in plant metallurgist roles with specific experience in base metal flotation.
• Experience in process control systems, process information databases (i.e., PowerBI, PI Process Book) and metallurgical optimization practices required.
• Demonstrated site-based experience in nickel flotation is a plus.
• Previous experience in talc flotation circuits is advantageous.
• Involvement in the commissioning and ramp up of a processing plant is desirable.

Qualifications
• . Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Manual SADC class B driver’s licence preferred.
• EIZ membership eligibility

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 48

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• Interested and qualified? Click here to apply

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