Metallurgist Roles in Mining Companies

Mining of metals and minerals is a growth industry, specially in Africa, providing occupations for metallurgists to function in a variety of roles. Positions are paid as metallurgists must have one or more degree from a certified university or college. The most well-liked qualifications can be a Bachelors Degree in Extractive Metallurgy or Metallurgical Engineering or BSc. in Chemical Engineering having a major in Mineral Processing. This is not an occupation where candidates can understand the required skills at the job although experience may be gained in their career by expanding their being exposed to different types of work on mines.

The kind of work they generally do

The most common metallurgist roles include project management, consulting, technical or site management and research. For example, on the mine he/she can be likely to:

Design work programs and manage all metallurgical testing in both-house along with external companies and laboratories

Work together with the senior team to check and evaluate technical solutions

Liaise with geologists and other technical personnel so that the the most appropriate metallurgical solution is understood and employed

Constantly re-look at the metallurgical performance ( Click this link )

At middle management level, as a project manager they might coordinate day-to-day mining activities, manage quality assurance and usually ensure an easy operation. Mining companies look for no less than five-years experience before they post most of these managers to remotely located mines. At the most senior level metallurgists may become mine managers which includes coordinating all operations, staffing, running the site itself, choosing the extraction process, and resolving operational and business issues.

Furthering a job

Metallurgists with further education and extensive experience of many technical processes become professional consultants or researchers either working directly to get a large mining company or even for a consulting firm contracted to it. Their role could be to advise clients on process engineering, to perform cost analyses or do budgeting. They could get involved with environmental impact assessments, HSEQ and social responsibility as well. The mining industry is constantly updating its methods of extraction and waste management to be able to stay profitable and requires researchers to keep to learn new methods and processes. Pay levels vary according to experience, area of expertise and the location where they can be posted.

Several of the personal attributes required to achieve success within this field should be a powerful team player, have a superior measure of inter-personal communication skills and also express yourself in writing. A good expertise in French is often asked for when an African posting is provided. Because of inhospitable locations and remoteness of mines, the majority of the postings attract single people or more mature staff who do not have school-going children.