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Job description:
Overall Job Purpose
Process Engineer in this role is to drive continuous improvement initiatives within the Processing Plants’ processes, systems, and operations. As a Process Engineer, this role plays a pivotal role in optimizing and enhancing the efficiency, safety, and quality of our processing operations. Primary responsibilities will encompass change management, quality control and assurance, in addition to general process engineering duties. The role will carry out tasks allocated by the Senior Superintendent in the context of assessing performance of the nickel processing plant with the final objective of effectively contributing to the plant meeting or exceeding production and performance targets.
Specific Job Responsibility
- Continuously assess and optimize mineral processing unit operations, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and separation processes, to maximize metal recovery and reduce waste.
- Analyse process data and performance metrics to identify trends, deviations, and areas for improvement. Utilize statistical methods for data-driven decision-making.
- Prepare regular reports on plant performance, quality control, and process improvements. Present findings and recommendations to management.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and change initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall plant performance.
- Lead and facilitate the implementation of process changes and improvements. Ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruptions to ongoing operations.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the plant, encouraging staff to identify and propose process enhancements.
- Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards and procedures for processing functions.
- Conduct quality audits and inspections to identify non-conformities and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain comprehensive records of quality control procedures, testing results, and corrective actions taken.
- Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within the nickel plant.
- Developing operating methods and standard operating procedures related to process engineering tasks.
- Plan and execute projects according to processing requirements, providing quality technical insights on the results, which can include but not limited to.
- Prospective solution to outstanding mid to long-term issues, including all areas of the plant
- Maintain a user-friendly, exhaustive and up-to-date database of all projects.
- Work with limited supervision to seek continuous improvement.
- Manage the interaction with the Processing Operations team to ensure efficient delivery to customer requirements, with particular focus of the role on facilitating technical interactions between sections.
- Drive skills transfer and training, with the aim of increasing competencies and skillsets in junior staff where possible, especially through interaction on projects.
- Perform other duties that may be assign
- Continuously assess and optimize mineral processing unit operations, including crushing, grinding, flotation, and separation processes, to maximize metal recovery and reduce waste.
- Analyse process data and performance metrics to identify trends, deviations, and areas for improvement. Utilize statistical methods for data-driven decision-making.
- Prepare regular reports on plant performance, quality control, and process improvements. Present findings and recommendations to management.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and change initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall plant performance.
- Lead and facilitate the implementation of process changes and improvements. Ensure smooth transitions and minimal disruptions to ongoing operations.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the plant, encouraging staff to identify and propose process enhancements.
- Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards and procedures for processing functions.
- Conduct quality audits and inspections to identify non-conformities and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain comprehensive records of quality control procedures, testing results, and corrective actions taken.
- Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within the nickel plant.
- Developing operating methods and standard operating procedures related to process engineering tasks.
- Plan and execute projects according to processing requirements, providing quality technical insights on the results, which can include but not limited to.
- Prospective solution to outstanding mid to long-term issues, including all areas of the plant
- Maintain a user-friendly, exhaustive and up-to-date database of all projects.
- Work with limited supervision to seek continuous improvement.
- Manage the interaction with the Processing Operations team to ensure efficient delivery to customer requirements, with particular focus of the role on facilitating technical interactions between sections.
- Drive skills transfer and training, with the aim of increasing competencies and skillsets in junior staff where possible, especially through interaction on projects.
- Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Senior Superintendent.
Job Specific Competencies
- Proven expertise in change management, process improvement, and quality control and assurance.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to drive decisions.
- Strong understanding of complex metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies.
- Familiarity with safety protocols and environmental regulations.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Project management skills to lead process improvement projects.
- Good cognitive and analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, bottlenecks and implementing metallurgical testing.
- Process safety management knowledge.
Key Job Attributes
- Must be thorough and detail oriented
- Must be dependable and self-motivated
- Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to interact with people of different cultures.
- Flexible towards working in variety of work areas.
- Must be bold, smart and driven.
- Must be adaptable and a team player.
- Work safely and to regulations - setting an example for all personnel
Experience required to perform in this job
- At least 2 years’ experience in process engineering within a mineral processing plant.
- Nickel flotation and talc removal circuit experience is advantageous.
Qualifications
- Full grade twelve (G12) certificate.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field. A master's degree is a plus
- EIZ membership eligibility.
- Qualifications must be Validated by ZAQA
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Skills Required
- At least 2 years' experience in process engineering within a mineral processing plant.
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
- Full grade twelve (G12) certificate.
- Qualifications must be validated by ZAQA.
- EIZ membership eligibility.
- Proven expertise in change management, process improvement, and quality control and assurance.
- Process safety management knowledge.
- Familiarity with safety protocols and environmental regulations.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to use data and statistical methods.
- Project management skills to lead process improvement projects.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills; ability to train and transfer skills to junior staff.
- Nickel flotation and talc removal circuit experience.
- Master's degree (plus).
What We Do
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. is a global mining company producing copper and nickel, as well as gold and cobalt. Our growing portfolio of operations and projects spans four continents and employs around 20,000 people. We are well-known for our ‘can do’ attitude and specialist technical, project management, engineering, construction and operational skills, which allow us to develop and successfully run complex mines and minerals processing plants. We strive to go beyond the goals set by other companies. After 25 years of operations we are now one of the world’s top 10 copper producers and we focus on providing a tangible benefit from everything we do for employees, investors and the many communities that host our operations. From our initial operation reprocessing tailings facilities in Zambia, to the recently completed giant Cobre Panama operation, we have recorded many significant commercial and technical achievements over the past two decades. By 2021, the combined output of our mines will be more than 800,000 tonnes of copper per year.
