Purpose of Role
To provide metallurgical and process engineering support by monitoring plant performance, optimising process parameters, leading technical investigations and supporting R&D and improvement projects to achieve safe, stable and efficient chrome and PGM production.
Role Context
Technical and Process Management
- Monitor, analyse and report on plant metallurgical performance, including throughput, recovery, yield, grade, product quality and process stability.
- Optimise process parameters, operating envelopes and control practices to improve chrome and PGM recovery, quality and plant efficiency.
- Investigate process losses, deviations and operational constraints, and recommend practical corrective actions.
- Plan, support and report on laboratory, pilot plant and plant trials, including sampling, test work, data analysis and implementation recommendations.
- Maintain accurate metallurgical data for production reporting, mass balancing, metal accounting and decision-making.
Financial and Resource Management
- Support cost control by monitoring reagent use, consumables, product losses and process inefficiencies.
- Provide technical input into business cases, project estimates, improvement initiatives and cost-benefit assessments.
People and Technical Development
- Provide technical guidance to metallurgists, laboratory personnel, process controllers, operators and plant teams.
- Promote disciplined sampling, data integrity, root cause analysis, reporting and continuous improvement practices.
- Coach and mentor junior metallurgists, graduates, interns and plant personnel to build metallurgical capability, analytical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.
- Support the development and implementation of technical training material, standard operating practices, sampling procedures and troubleshooting guides for plant teams.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing sessions on metallurgical performance, process control, test work outcomes, lessons learnt and best practices across Operations, Laboratory and Technical Services.
- Identify technical skills gaps and recommend appropriate development interventions, coaching plans or refresher training to improve operational understanding and compliance.
- Encourage a culture of continuous learning, innovation and accountability by promoting structured problem solving, data-based decision making and ownership of improvement actions.
Stakeholder Relations
- Work with Operations, Engineering, Laboratory, SHE, Procurement, Finance, R&D and external service providers to resolve technical issues and implement improvements.
- Communicate performance trends, risks, trial outcomes and technical recommendations through reports, meetings and presentations.
Compliance, Risk and Safety
- Comply with the Mine Health and Safety Act, environmental requirements, company standards, risk assessments and procedures.
- Ensure technical work, sampling, trials and process changes are risk assessed, controlled, approved and communicated.
- Support Tharisa’s zero harm and Safe Tharisa objectives by ensuring that all metallurgical activities are planned and executed without compromising the health and safety of employees, contractors.
- Apply MHSA requirements by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing effective controls before commencing sampling campaigns, plant trials, process changes or technical investigations.
- Ensure compliance with approved Tharisa standards, procedures, codes of practice, fatal hazard controls, permit requirements and safe work instructions applicable to plant and laboratory activities.
