Dewatering Plant - Metallurgist, DWP & Shiploading

The purpose of this position is:

The purpose of this position is to ensure optimal metallurgical performance, product quality, operational efficiency, and concentrate accountability of Dewatering Plant (DWP) and Ship loading operations. This role functions as the technical authority for dewatering processes, filtration and drying systems, concentrating mass balance, and ship loading quality, ensuring accurate reconciliation of concentrate from upstream mill production through dewatering, storage, loading, and delivery to customers. The position provides metallurgical expertise to support process optimization, cost reduction initiatives, and continuous improvement, while ensuring compliance with HSSE standards, operational targets, and customer specifications.

The key duties and responsibilities of this position are:

1. Metallurgical & Process Oversight – Dewatering Plant
   1. Provide metallurgical and process control oversight for Dewatering Plant operations, including:
      • Rotary Disc Filters
      • Filter Press / VPA
      • Rotary Dryer
   2. Monitor, analyze, and control key process parameters such as:
      • Throughput
      • Filtration rate
      • Cake moisture
      • Dryer performance
      • Product stability and consistency
   3. Ensure Dewatering Plant performance meets design intent, operational targets, and downstream handling and shipping requirements.
   4. Identify root causes of process deviations and operational inefficiencies and implement corrective actions.
2. Filtration & Drying Equipment Optimization (Cost & Efficiency Focus)
   1. Optimize operation of rotary disc filters, filter press/VPA, and rotary dryers to maximize efficiency and performance.
   2. Analyze and optimize operating variables including:
      • Vacuum / pressure settings
      • Filtration cycle time
      • Cake thickness and cloth performance
      • Dryer residence time, heat utilization, and energy efficiency
   3. Drive improvements to achieve:
      • Lower final product moisture
      • Increased throughput
      • Improved equipment availability and reliability
      • Reduced power, fuel, and consumable usage
   4. Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance to reduce unplanned downtime and stabilize equipment performance.
   5. Identify, evaluate, and support initiatives that reduce operational cost (OPEX) related to dewatering and drying processes.
3. Metallurgical & Process Oversight – Shiploading
   1. Provide metallurgical and technical support for concentrate handling and shiploading operations from warehouse to vessel.
   2. Ensure concentrate quality, moisture, and physical characteristics are suitable and safe for ship loading.
   3. Support control of loading rate, spillage prevention, segregation risk, and concentrate losses during loading.
   4. Coordinate with Shiploading Operations to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient vessel loading according to schedule.
4. Concentrate Mass Balance Control
   1. Control, monitor, and validate end‑to‑end metallurgical mass balance of concentrate across:
      • Mill production output
      • Dewatering Plant processing
      • Concentrate storage (Barn)
      • Shiploading and delivery to customer
   2. Reconcile concentrate mass balance between mill and Dewatering Plant, including solids and moisture adjustments.
   3. Monitor, validate, and reconcile inventory balances in storage facilities.
   4. Support reconciliation of shipped tonnage versus customer‑received tonnage, including investigation of discrepancies.
   5. Identify, analyze, and report gains, losses, or variances across the concentrate handling chain.
   6. Ensure all mass balance data is accurate, auditable, traceable, and aligned with metallurgical accounting standards.
5. Product Quality Assurance
   1. Monitor concentrate quality parameters including:
      • Moisture content
      • Physical handling characteristics
      • Relevant metallurgical indicators impacting shipping and customer acceptance
   2. Support sampling, testing, and laboratory validation activities.
   3. Ensure delivered product complies with customer specifications, shipping requirements, and internal quality standards.
6. Process Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting
   1. Analyze daily, weekly, and monthly metallurgical performance data for DWP and Shiploading.
   2. Prepare metallurgical performance reports, mass balance summaries, efficiency metrics, and cost impact analysis.
   3. Highlight risks related to product quality, mass balance discrepancies, equipment performance, or operational cost.
   4. Provide technical recommendations and advisory input to Chief Metallurgist.
7. Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement
   1. Identify or support troubleshooting related to:
      • Filtration inefficiency
      • Dryer performance issues
      • Moisture excursions
      • Concentrate losses or handling problems.
   2. Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on:
      • Process stability
      • Efficiency improvement
      • Cost reduction
   3. Support plant trials, test work, and implementation of metallurgical improvements.
8. HSSE & Operational Compliance
   1. Ensure metallurgical activities comply with HSSE standards, safe operating procedures, and regulatory requirements.
   2. Support hazard identification and risk assessment related to dewatering, drying, and shiploading operations.
   3. Promote safe, disciplined, and compliant metallurgical practices across operations.

The background, education, and work experience needed to succeed in this job are:

Minimum Education & Experience

1. Bachelor's Degree (S1) in Metallurgical Engineering, Statistic, or related discipline.
2. Minimum 2–5 years of experience in mineral processing, dewatering, filtration, metallurgical accounting, or concentrate handling operations.
3. Experience in mining, mineral processing plant, or shiploading/port operations is preferred.

Core Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Characters)

1. Metallurgy & Mineral Processing
2. Dewatering, Filtration & Drying Technology
3. Metallurgical Mass Balance & Accounting
4. Process Optimization & Cost Reduction
5. Data Analysis & Problem Solving
6. HSSE Awareness & Operational Discipline
7. Technical Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
8. Strong English communication skills

Deadline: 5 June 2026