Cost Controller

Role Purpose

The Cost Controller is responsible for monitoring, controlling, and reporting operational and capital costs across the zinc mining and processing operation. The role ensures budget compliance, cost transparency, variance analysis, and financial discipline, supporting efficient production and informed management decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Monitoring & Control

• Monitor operating and capital expenditure against approved budgets.
• Track and control costs across mining, processing, maintenance, and support departments.
• Identify cost overruns, risks, and abnormal expenditure.
• Support cost‑control initiatives and corrective action implementation.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and life‑of‑mine cost plans.
• Assist departments with cost planning and expenditure forecasting.
• Update rolling forecasts based on actual performance and operational changes.
• Ensure alignment between production plans and cost forecasts.

Cost Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly cost reports and dashboards.
• Perform detailed variance analysis (actual vs budget vs forecast).
• Analyse unit costs (cost per tonne mined, milled, or produced).
• Provide clear cost insights and recommendations to operational and management teams.

Procurement & Contract Cost Control

• Track purchase orders, contracts, and committed costs.
• Monitor contract expenditure and ensure compliance with agreed terms and limits.
• Validate invoices against contracts, work completion, and approvals.
• Support cost evaluation of quotations and tender submissions.

Capital & Project Cost Control

• Monitor CAPEX spending for projects, shutdowns, and major maintenance.
• Track project budgets, forecasts, commitments, and variances.
• Support project cost reporting and financial close‑out activities.
• Assist with capital project justification and post‑implementation reviews.

Systems, Controls & Compliance

• Ensure cost data accuracy in ERP / financial systems.
• Maintain cost codes, cost centres, and reporting structures.
• Support internal and external audits with cost documentation and reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with company financial controls and governance requirements.

Stakeholder Support & Communication

• Work closely with operations, engineering, and procurement teams.
• Provide cost guidance to non‑financial managers.
• Support decision‑making with timely and accurate financial information.
• Promote cost awareness and financial discipline across the site.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Finance, Cost Accounting, Management Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in cost control, preferably in mining or heavy industry.
• Strong knowledge of operational and capital cost structures.
• Experience working with ERP / financial systems.

Desirable

• Experience in zinc or base‑metal mining.
• Exposure to processing plant and underground or open‑pit mining operations.
• Professional accounting qualification (or working towards).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Good understanding of mining and processing cost drivers
• Ability to interpret financial data for operational teams
• Strong communication and reporting capability
• Proactive, structured, and results‑focused approach

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Budget adherence and cost variance reduction
• Accuracy and timeliness of cost reporting
• Forecast accuracy
• Cost saving and optimization initiatives supported
• Audit and compliance outcomes