Process Engineer (Zinc Concentrator)

Role Purpose

The Process Engineer is responsible for providing metallurgical and process engineering support to ensure safe, stable, efficient and cost-effective operation of the zinc concentrator.

The role drives process stability, recovery improvement, concentrate quality, reagent optimisation and operating discipline across crushing, grinding, flotation, thickening, filtration, water and tailings interface systems.

The position supports commissioning, ramp-up and steady-state production while embedding metallurgical discipline, ensuring alignment with safety, environmental and operational performance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Process Optimisation & Control

• Monitor and optimise plant performance across crushing, grinding, flotation, thickening and filtration circuits.
• Define, implement and maintain operating windows for key process parameters.
• Analyse metallurgical performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement sustainable improvements.
• Support control philosophy improvements and drive process stability.
• Monitor ore variability and its impact on plant performance.
• Drive short interval control and corrective actions.

Metallurgical Performance

• Maximise zinc recovery and concentrate quality.
• Minimise dilution, losses and re-circulating loads.
• Track and reduce zinc losses to tailings.
• Drive metallurgical accounting discipline and sampling integrity.
• Support concentrate quality control.
• Work with geology and mining teams on ore variability and blending.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Collect, analyse and interpret plant data.
• Perform mass and water balances.
• Develop trend-based reporting.
• Prepare performance reports.
• Track KPIs and leading indicators.
• Translate data into operational actions.

Test Work & Continuous Improvement

• Design and execute test work programmes.
• Evaluate reagents and technologies.
• Support debottlenecking initiatives.
• Implement continuous improvement practices.

Process Safety, Health & Environment

• Ensure compliance with MHSA and site standards.
• Identify and manage risks.
• Support SOPs, risk assessments and MOC.
• Ensure environmental compliance.

Operational Support

• Provide technical support to operations.
• Troubleshoot plant issues.
• Support shutdowns and ramp-ups.
• Work with maintenance and reliability teams.
• Participate in production meetings.
• Drive metallurgical discipline on shift.

Projects & Commissioning

• Support commissioning (C3–C5).
• Provide input into projects and modifications.
• Review PFDs, P&IDs and control philosophies.
• Support performance testing and handover.
• Liaise with OEMs and consultants.

Training & Knowledge Transfer

• Train operators and supervisors.
• Develop SOPs and manuals.
• Promote process understanding.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Metallurgical, Chemical or Process Engineering.
• 3–6 years' experience in mineral processing.
• Strong flotation knowledge.
• Strong analytical capability.

Desirable

• Experience in zinc/base metals.
• Mine-to-mill exposure.
• Control systems/APC exposure.
• Postgraduate qualification.

Skills & Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Process knowledge
• Data interpretation
• Communication
• Safety focus
• Operational effectiveness

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Zinc recovery and grade
• Tailings losses
• Throughput and stability
• Grind size and flotation stability
• Reagent efficiency
• Filtration performance
• Metallurgical accounting accuracy
• Operating window compliance
• Safety and environmental compliance
• Improvement implementation