At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Overall Job Purpose

As a key member of the process team, the junior metallurgist will assist to monitor and report on all aspects of plant performance. Provide technical and operational support to the Operations Team to ensure that all metallurgical parameters and control strategies in the process plant are achieving design parameters with particular emphasis on safety and environment, productivity, quality and cost, through;

Providing technical support to a metallurgist and plant operations by collection of plant data and measurements,

Implementing and applying thought solutions to achieve and exceed plant KPI’s of safety, milling rates, throughput, recovery, concentrate grade, efficiency and costs

Support the data entry and timely metallurgy reports, which includes the daily, weekly, and monthly report.

Assist development of technicians within metallurgical laboratory and in the processing plant for the daily activities or survey campaign to monitor the plant performance.

Specific Job Responsibility

• Provide technical support to plant operations.
• Collect data through control systems historians and sampling to make ad-hoc decisions.
• Coordinate plant and/or lab testwork aimed at optimizing the operations of both the front-end and back-end plants.
• Conduct circuit surveys as guided by the metallurgist for better understanding and control of the plant.
• Report finding of any test works to the Metallurgists for further analysis and implementation.
• Assess opportunities for improvement and drive their implementation.
• Work as intermediate between Metallurgists and metallurgical technicians

Job Specific Competencies

• Understanding metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies
• Analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, bottlenecks and conducting metallurgical test works.
• Affinity to conduct test works and train technicians.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to assemble data and provide clear and accurate operational performance reports in both an upward and downward direction

Key Job Attributes

• Good leadership and motivational skills, and get work done.
• Strong drive and personal sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to maintain self-discipline within a stressful environment
• Be enthusiastic and pro-active in manner;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Experience required

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mineral processing plants.

Preferred large automated plants with SABC and sulphide flotation circuits.

Qualifications

Degree in Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or related fields.

• Provide technical support to plant operations.
• Collect data through control systems historians and sampling to make ad-hoc decisions.
• Coordinate plant and/or lab testwork aimed at optimizing the operations of both the front-end and back-end plants.
• Conduct circuit surveys as guided by the metallurgist for better understanding and control of the plant.
• Report finding of any test works to the Metallurgists for further analysis and implementation.
• Assess opportunities for improvement and drive their implementation.
• Work as intermediate between Metallurgists and metallurgical technicians

• Understanding metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies
• Analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, bottlenecks and conducting metallurgical test works.
• Affinity to conduct test works and train technicians.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to assemble data and provide clear and accurate operational performance reports in both an upward and downward direction

• Degree in Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or related fields.