Metallurgist at AngloGold Ashanti (Ghana) Limited

ROLE PURPOSE AND CONTEXT

Reporting to the Senior Metallurgist, the incumbent will ensure maximum metallurgical efficiency is being achieved. The Metallurgist will also initiate technical investigation and recommend changes to the circuit to optimize gold recovery and ensure environmental compliance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Safety Management plan elements for the areas under the incumbent’s control
• Review application of safety standards and work practices for the refurbishment construction and infrastructure workforce to enable the safety targets to be managed and achieved.
• Apply HSE regulations with zero tolerance to breaches.
• Demonstrate safety behaviour consistent with AGAG’s vision and values.
• Lead by example to create a safe working environment, where risks are assessed and managed, so tasks are performed without risk of injury or harm.
• Continuous improvement of design and field safety performance.
• Inspect, audit, JHA, etc. the Safety Management System delivering compliance
• Investigate timely all injuries, illness, and incidents with actions plans developed to prevent recurrences
• Contribute to the Metallurgy Department’s target to achieve zero reportable environmental incidents, zero compliance breaches and no events requiring public disclosure (DOS).
• Utilise ‘Analyse and Improve’ tools to investigate process interruptions so that exposure to environmental risks is reduced (DOS).
• Reduce energy usage by running the plant energy consumption per unit produced at the optimal rate with sphere of influence (DO).
• Contribute to the Processing Department’s objective to eliminate hydrocarbon and hyper saline water spills to zero within the Metallurgy Department (DOS).
• Assist in developing and reviewing cyanide management protocol in compliance with ICMI Code.
• Provide metallurgical support to the operations on a daily basis.
• Ensure that sampling techniques and sample preparation procedures are correct and in accordance with standard practices.
• Ensure maximum metallurgical performance is being achieved by the STP plant.
• Create a positive environment towards personal and equipment safety, and safe working practices. To comply with all statutory Company safety rules and regulations.
• Assist with training of operational staff on relevant metallurgical aspects.
• Oversee plant metallurgical laboratory activities
• Conduct routine plant laboratory test works and investigations
• Oversee all plant test work activities in external laboratories
• Liaise with the Gold Room Supervisor to ensure that the Gravity section works efficiently and effectively.
• Inspect and monitor Cyclones, samplers, screens, Knelsons etc to ensure spares are available for change outs.
• Monitor the water balance of the circuit and ensure that the control room operators are on top of every situation
• Monitor the reagent addition and trend the reagent usage every morning to ensure that consumption is within budget
• Liaise with the Production Superintendent for the Mill reline program
• Confirm the liners to be changed and also physically take measurements of discharge grates to be changed and records well kept.
• Coordinate test work programs for new brownfield ore bodies to determine the metallurgical characteristics in order to advise on percentage and processing cost of extractable gold, the magnitude of plant modification required to process the ore which will be considered in the decision-making process
• Ensure cost impacts in area of accountability are evaluated, approved and budget is revised
• Oversee routine plant laboratory (wet-chem lab and fire assay) analyses, ensure adequate QA QC protocols are being observed, query results and accept results which meet set acceptance criteria

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Qualification

• Recognized tertiary qualification in Metallurgy, Mineral, Material or Chemical Engineering
• Professional Engineer (Ghana Institution of Engineers)

Experience 

• 2 - 5 years’ experience in a processing plant.
• Experience and understanding of total mining cycle.
• Proven experience in collaborating with the engineering department

Legal Requirements

• Plant Supervisor Certification Certificate of competence as per LI 2182
• Professional membership with GhiE or equivalent

Technical Competencies

• Management of plant performance and efficiency
• Operating and SIBC budgeting planning, forecasting and control
• Production scheduling
• Reagents & consumables (including mill liners) stock management, forecast and control
• In depth understanding of Metallurgical Accounting
• Demonstrable knowledge of metallurgical processes such as, but not limited to, size reduction, flotation, biological oxidation, leaching, desorption and tailings disposal
• Metallurgical optimisation and continuous improvement

Other Competencies

• Self-driven to achieve targets and improve the status quo.
• Should not require direct supervision because this incumbent provides leadership especially after normal office hours
• Accountable
• Strong and proven decision-making skills.
• Willingness to delegate
• Demonstrates behaviours consistent with AGA values
• Strong interpersonal, communication and motivating skills