Manager Hydrometallurgy

Valterra Platinum, formerly Anglo American Platinum, is a leading primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), with integrated mining, smelting, and refining operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, marketing the metal we produce globally. Following our demerger from Anglo American plc, Valterra Platinum is now an independent, publicly listed company with a primary and secondary listing on the Johannesburg and London stock exchanges respectively.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, Valterra Platinum is positioned to define and pursue its own strategy, anchored in operational excellence, sustainability, and value creation for the long-term. With full accountability for our performance and growth, we are focused on strengthening our capabilities across the entire PGM value chain, from mine to market.

Our independence empowers us to deepen our commitment to stakeholders and lead with purpose – to Unearth Value to Better Our World. We remain steadfast in our ambition to be the world’s foremost producer of platinum group metals, while embedding safety and sustainability in everything we do.

If you're driven by purpose and the opportunity to make a lasting impact, we invite you to join us. Apply today and be part of something bigger.

This role can be based at 144 Oxford Road, Rosebank, or can be Rustenburg based.

This role provides technical strategic leadership input on hydrometallurgy to Platinum refining operations and projects, and the coordination of hydrometallurgy work within the processing discipline.

Performance and Delivery

• Delivers safety leadership and demonstrates Valterra Platinum (VP) values, with a focus on the safe design and operation of hydrometallurgical plants.  
• Provides technical strategic input and support to operations and projects for process trouble shooting and the resolution of metallurgical problems in hydrometallurgical plants and site water circuits. 
• Leads investigations and coordinates the implementation of initiatives in collaboration with Operations for the optimization of processes and delivering step change in performance.
• Conducts operational performance analysis, systematic hydrometallurgy, and water treatment process characterization test work, and develops process models.   
• Leads the application of process mineralogy to the understanding and optimization of leaching operations. 
• Provides input to and validates the final selection of Budget and LOM Terms of Reference.
• Provides oversight and assurance on VP governance policies, procedures and standards. 
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practice transfer in hydrometallurgy and water treatment, and coordinates activities within a hydrometallurgy community of practice. 
• Coordinates the governance of metal balances across all hydrometallurgical processing plants.  
• Support/facilitate/embed Operating Model principles and processes 
• Ownership of Operating Model Processing Measures (A&I) 
• Monitor the impact of feed variability on processes to evaluate if changes are necessary and/or effective. 

• Bachelors / Honours degree or equivalent in Metallurgy or Chemical Engineering
• Masters / Doctoral degree or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline (advantageous)

Experience:

• At least 10 years’ relevant experience.

Technical knowledge (experience) required for role:

• Advanced skills and experience in operating and providing technical support to platinum refining operations at senior level. 
• Track record of translating ideas into practical initiatives to be implemented and a demonstration of successful execution and delivery of Technical Improvement and Optimisation within a hydrometallurgical context.
• Advanced skills in selecting and applying metallurgical tools and techniques in support of processing plants and provides technical support to solve complex problems.
• Advanced skills in Implementing research proposals, manages routine research projects, and oversee testing, analysis, and interpretation

What We Offer

At Valterra Platinum, you will join a team committed to excellence and impact.

We offer:

• Meaningful work in a high-performance, values-led environment.
• Market-aligned reward and recognition.
• Opportunities for learning, development and progression.
• A culture that respects diversity and encourages innovation.
• A clear commitment to safe Operations.

Inclusion and Diversity

Valterra Platinum is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfill their potential.
Valterra Platinum has a zero tolerance to dignity harms, these include all acts of gender based violence, bullying, harassment and victimisation. Ensuring the safety of our employees extends beyond physical safety and includes the eradication of harmful behaviours from our workplace. This responsibility extends to everyone at Valterra Platinum both during work hours and outside of work. We are unconditional in creating a respectful, inclusive, and safe working environment to ensure that no colleague will be violated or harassed under our watch.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form via this job advert.