Process Lead

1. Role Purpose

The Process Lead is accountable for metallurgical performance, operational stability, and continuous optimisation of the mining concentrator. The role ensures stable throughput, achievement of recovery and grade targets, optimised reagent and energy consumption, metallurgical accounting integrity, and effective process risk management across crushing, grinding, flotation, filtration, and tailings circuits.

2. Key Accountabilities

2.1 Metallurgical Performance & Production Alignment

• Own daily, weekly, and monthly metallurgical performance targets.
• Monitor and optimise zinc recovery, concentrate grade, mass pull, and reagent dosage rates.
• Ensure stable water balance and specific energy consumption optimisation.
• Ensure optimal operation of crushing, dual SAG and Ball milling circuits, flotation, thickening, filtration, and tailings systems.

2.2 Grinding Circuit Authority

• Provide metallurgical oversight of the 6.2 x 10.4 m grinding mills.
• Optimise grind size control (P80 management).
• Coordinate with Maintenance on liner replacement and shutdown strategy.
• Drive comminution energy optimisation initiatives.

2.3 Flotation Optimisation

• Lead reagent optimisation strategy (xanthates, frothers, depressants).
• Conduct structured plant trials and process investigations.
• Optimise flotation kinetics and air dispersion control.
• Ensure concentrate quality meets smelter specifications.

2.4 Continuous Improvement & Digital Integration

• Identify bottlenecks and lead debottlenecking initiatives.
• Drive Advanced Process Control optimisation.
• Utilise SCADA, historian, and digital dashboards for performance analysis.

2.5 Metallurgical Accounting & Data Integrity

• Ensure sampling protocols and QA/QC standards are maintained.
• Validate mass balance reconciliation and reporting accuracy.
• Protect financial and regulatory reporting integrity.

2.6 Risk & Compliance

• Lead HAZOP and Process Hazard Analyses.
• Ensure tailings compliance and water discharge standards.
• Oversee safe reagent handling and environmental compliance.

2.7 Commissioning & Expansion Support

• Support commissioning and validation of new equipment.
• Stabilise ramp-up performance curves.
• Validate performance guarantees and design criteria.

2.8 Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and mentor metallurgical and control room teams.
• Build operator competency and process discipline.
• Collaborate closely with Maintenance and Reliability Leads.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Education

• BEng / BTech in Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering or Mineral Processing.

Experience

• 8–12 years in base metal flotation operations.
• 3–5 years in senior metallurgical leadership role.
• Experience with large grinding circuits and zinc flotation.
• Exposure to expansion projects and Advanced Process Control systems.