Metallurgist, Process Optimization

Job description

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

The Metallurgist will provide specialist technical support for gravity gold recovery optimization, metallurgical test work, and plant performance improvement. The role will focus on maximizing gravity recovery, reducing gold losses, and identifying sustainable opportunities to improve overall plant performance. The role also requires significant data analytic focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse plant data and metallurgical performance trends to identify gold recovery gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Monitor and optimize gravity recovery systems, including Knelson and Falcon centrifugal concentrators.
• Conduct plant surveys, sampling campaigns, metallurgical balances, and gold-loss investigations.
• Plan, conduct, and interpret GRG and E-GRG test work using the laboratory-scale Knelson concentrator.
• Evaluate the impact of ore type, grind size, classification efficiency, circulating load, and gold liberation on gravity recovery.
• Optimize concentrator operating parameters, including feed rate, feed density, fluidization water, cycle duration, bowl speed, and concentrate mass pull.
• Compare theoretical gravity-recovery potential with actual plant performance and develop actions to close identified gaps.
• Establish representative sampling methods, sampling frequencies, and quality-control requirements.
• Coordinate gold assays, screen-fire assays, particle-size analysis, and mineralogical investigations.
• Troubleshoot plant and laboratory performance issues using metallurgical data and structured root-cause analysis.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement technical projects to improve gold recovery, plant efficiency, and operating costs.
• Prepare technical reports covering surveys, test work, plant trials, findings, and recommendations.
• Provide technical support to Operations, Laboratory, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Train and guide operators, technicians, and junior metallurgical personnel.
• Ensure all work complies with health, safety, environmental, quality, and gold-security requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in plant optimization, gravity gold recovery. Experience in CIL/CIP operations is desired, but not essential.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting, interpreting, and reporting on GRG, EGRG, cyanide bottle-roll, and other metallurgical test work. Experience with Gekko systems and Acacia reactors will be considered an added advantage.
• Strong practical knowledge of gravity concentrators, intensive leaching, and gold-room processes will be an advantage.
• Proven capability in plant sampling, metallurgical surveys, mass balancing, gold accounting, and troubleshooting will be an advantage.
• Sound understanding of comminution, classification, gold liberation, and their impact on gravity recovery will be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, technical reporting, and presentation skills, with a results-driven approach.
• High proficiency in Excel, Power BI, PI Vision, SCADA, and metallurgical data-analysis tools.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, operational excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

All academic qualifications and results must be verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)