• Job Description

  Req#: JR10739

  At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

  Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

  Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

  Job description:

  General Role Purpose (brief description of this job)

  As a key member of the Process Plant team and reporting into the Technical Manager, the Chief Metallurgist is accountable for the effective and efficient operation of the Metallurgy function (medium & long term strategy) to deliver to maximised production and minimised costs while ensuring operational sustainability. The role has a focus on weekly-monthly optimisation.

  Qualifications (required for job) & Knowledge & Experience

  • A Tertiary Qualification in Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy or Mineral Processing or related field.
  • Post-graduate study in a related technical field highly regarded.
  • Strong experience in metallurgical roles with specific experience in copper/molybdenum/gold, crushing/milling & flotation circuits.
  • Proven experience in the mentoring and development of metallurgical teams
  • Broad experience in differential and sequential flotation operations is highly regarded.
  • Excellent leadership, motivational and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent cognitive and analytical skills with ability to carry out advanced calculations and analyse and understand highly complex and statistical metallurgical data.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and able to assemble data and provide clear and accurate operational performance reports in both an upward and downward direction.
  • Proven results facilitating continuous improvement activity.
  • Proven success in planning and organizing and proactivity in looking ahead.
  • Proven success and experience in mentoring and training
  • Strong computer skills.
  • Building successful teams.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
  • Strong ability to create a high-performing team environment.
  • Ability to build strategic work relationships.
  • Business Acumen.

  Core Specific Responsibilities & Expected Deliverables

  • Understand and execute accountabilities of legal appointment under Panamanian Mining Regulations;
  • Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within section;
  • The role spans Met-Accounting (Copper, Molybdenum, Gold & Silver); daily/weekly/monthly reporting; Forecasting and Budgeting as the business needs; delimiting and debottlenecking the plant production process as well as auxiliary systems (water – air, etc.) and the Mine-to-Mill program together with Geo-Metallurgical aspects;
  • The role has accountability for the definition of the trials and optimisation projects of the process plant metallurgical processes and performance;
  • Coordinate metallurgical surveys in large scales and utilize the data for modelling & simulation tools;
  • Maintain plant historical metallurgy performance information in an organized fashion and in a standardized format;
  • The role has accountability for the metallurgical and mineralogical laboratories. Ensure short and long term equipment maintenance plans and schedules are in place for labs to maintain availability and precision;
  • Define, implement and continuously improve the Process Plant metallurgical strategy with clear visibility and simplicity. Also raise potential or actual bottlenecks out of Process Plant boundaries to the related department leaders. Reflect these in business Capital Expenditure outlook together with respective sections and department leads;
  • Consistently deliver and exceed the main expectation of timely & accurate provision of detailed metallurgical information and direction for optimised plant performance;
  • Monitor, control & report on metallurgy and met-accounting performance and audit the systems and methods applied in Process Plant by external parties;
  • Routinely monitor, analyse and report production losses, productivity metrics for identifying key areas for plant improvement. Supply essential information accepted in industry (Pareto charts, SWOT analysis, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, etc.). Constantly seek out innovative solutions for plant problems;
  • Populate and update Process Plant downtime/slowdown database and review / optimize downtime reporting system (RtDuet);
  • Maintain oversight of the geo-metallurgical program with respect to ore quality, plant behaviour, blending plans and performance. Work closely with Mine Technical Services department for better understanding and defining best strategy for the metal production in advance;
  • Manage the interaction between the Processing and Mining Technical Services (geologists, drill blast designers, geo-tech, strategical planning, etc.) on ore quality, blending plans and performance;
  • Ensure the diagnosis of process performance is conducted, focusing on identifying root cause, and implementation of both corrective and preventative measures;
  • Review plant design, scope and develop justification for capital upgrades;
  • Maintain an updated and simple plan for any metallurgical production equipment design changes (crusher & mill liners including HIG mills, screen panels (both screening plant and pebble screens, cyclones (in milling & flotation), etc.);
  • Through the mineralogical branch, define a practical Process Mineralogy approach to help maximizing metal production as well as maintaining high concentrate quality;
  • Implement the Metallurgy Section structure, manning levels and resources to deliver optimised metallurgical performance;
  • Maintain staff development plans, succession plans and training programs, particularly skills transfer and coaching to the national staff;
  • Prepare the Annual Process Plant Production Budgets and Re-Forecasts, advise Process Plant management team and identify the low performing sections in their production metrics to develop strategies for improvement;
  • Produce daily, monthly, and annual Process Plant production reports and use the in house and external resources to identify the shortfalls to develop improvement plans;
  • Prepare the Annual Metallurgy Section Cost Budget and Re-Forecasts, develop plans for reducing the variable costs (grinding media and reagents) without impacting metal production & quality as well as defining the overall management of trials to reduce pricing;
  • Own the optimization of the Gravity Concentrator circuit as well as maximizing the gold & silver production by providing technical support;
  • Implement FQM Way culture across the metallurgical team – “Smarter, Bolder, Driven, Together”;
  • Perform any other duties as assigned by the Manager Technical or Process Plant.

  Behavioral Traits / Personal Characteristics

  • Bolder: Flexible, versatile, and prepared to take on challenges as needed.
  • Smarter: Always looks for efficiencies and better ways of doing things
  • Driven: Sets high standards, is motivated and determined.
  • Together: Communicates well with peers and understand others views.

  Operational Requirements

  Cobre Panama project is a remote site. This exciting position is based on-site and will be focusing on driving and delivering operational accountability and ownership across various units at Cobre Panama site. Rosters and working hours may vary depending on business requirements.

  Environmental Responsibilities

  • Comply with current environmental regulations in Panama
  • Comply with the commitments contained in the Environmental Impact Studies and other additional studies in this regard, which apply to your area and activities.
  • Comply with the provisions of the Minera Panama Environmental Management System.

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• About the company

  First Quantum Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based mining and metals company whose principal activities include mineral exploration, development and mining.

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