Area Operators – Carbon & Lead Zinc Flotation, Filtration and Crushing

Role Purpose

Operate, monitor, and control the carbon handling and lead‑zinc flotation, filtration and crushing circuits safely and efficiently

Ensure stable plant operation to achieve throughput, recovery, and concentrate quality targets in accordance with operating standards and safety requirements

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations

• Operate flotation circuits including conditioning, rougher, scavenger, cleaner, and regrind circuits
• Operate and monitor carbon‑related systems (carbon dosing, handling, recovery, or adsorption where applicable)
• Start up, shut down, and stabilize plant circuits as per standard operating procedures
• Monitor flotation cell performance, pulp levels, air rates, reagent addition, and froth characteristics

Process Control & Monitoring

• Monitor process parameters (density, pH, grind, reagent consumption, air flow)
• Identify and correct process deviations and plant upsets
• Take corrective actions within area of responsibility to maintain recoveries and grades
• Communicate process issues and abnormalities to supervisors and process engineers

Safety, Health & Environment

• Comply with the Mine Health & Safety Act (MHSA) and site SHE standards
• Conduct pre‑start checks, workplace inspections, and hazard identification
• Follow lock‑out, isolation, and permit‑to‑work procedures
• Report near misses, unsafe conditions, and incidents promptly

Quality & Metallurgical Performance

• Ensure correct reagent dosing for lead and zinc flotation
• Prevent contamination between lead and zinc circuits
• Support metallurgical accounting by ensuring accurate sampling and operating discipline
• Assist in minimizing metallurgical losses and recirculating loads

Housekeeping & Asset Care

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping in the flotation and carbon areas
• Perform first‑line maintenance tasks and basic equipment care
• Identify and report equipment defects or abnormal conditions
• Assist maintenance teams during breakdowns and planned shutdowns

Communication & Teamwork

• Participate in shift handovers and toolbox talks
• Communicate effectively with control room, laboratory, maintenance, and supervision
• Support training of junior operators where required

Qualifications & Experience

• Grade 12 / Matric or equivalent
• Minimum 2–4 years' experience as a process plant operator, preferably in flotation
• Sound understanding of lead‑zinc flotation processes
• Basic computer literacy for logging and reporting

Desirable

• Experience in zinc or base‑metal concentrators
• Exposure to carbon handling or adsorption systems
• Recognised plant operator or processing qualification

Skills & Competencies

• Good understanding of flotation fundamentals
• Strong safety awareness and operating discipline
• Ability to monitor trends and respond to process changes
• Ability to work under pressure in a production environment
• Good communication and teamwork skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Lead and zinc recovery and concentrate quality
• Plant stability and uptime in assigned area
• Safety compliance and incident‑free shifts
• Reagent usage efficiency
• Housekeeping and inspection scores